How to Make a 3D Topographic Map for a School Project

3D topographic maps are beautiful, stunning ways to bring locations to life. You can capture the terrain of an area, while visually representing streets, roads, and more. Maybe you’re interested in making a topographic map for a school project, or maybe you’re interested in it for other reasons. Either way, we’ll show you how to create your own laser-cut 3D topographic map from scratch. Using layered materials, a laser cutter, and LaserMapMaker.com, we’ll show you everything you need to craft the perfect map for your school or personal projects. 

What You’ll Need

Before we get started, gather the materials and tools required:

• Access to a laser cutter (like an OMTech CO2 laser machine)
  

• Vector editing software (e.g., LightBurn or Adobe Illustrator)
  

• Sheets of MDF, plywood, or cardstock
  

• Wood glue or spray adhesive
  

• Paints or stains (optional for finishing)
  

• Access to LaserMapMaker.com to create vector files

Step 1: Choose Your Map Area

Start by choosing the geographic area you want to model. This can be:

• A local landmark or mountain
  

• A river valley or canyon
  

• An entire state or region
  

• A fictional terrain for a creative project

Keep in mind that the more complex the terrain, the more layers you’ll need to properly show elevation. For most school projects, 4–10 contour layers are a good range.

Step 2: Create Your Vector Map with LaserMapMaker.com

Once you’ve decided on the location, visit LaserMapMaker.com to generate the vector files for laser cutting. Here’s how:

1. Visit the site and enter your desired location by typing in a city or dragging the map interface.
   

2. Select your map size by adjusting the frame to match your laser cutter’s bed dimensions (e.g., 12" x 18").
   

3. In the sidebar, choose “Contours” and click “Enable.” You’ll now see elevation lines (contours) appear.
   

4. Adjust the contour interval to set the vertical spacing between elevation layers. For school projects, 50–100 feet per layer is usually appropriate.
   

5. Add or remove optional layers like roads, rivers, lakes, or labels and customize the colors.
   

6. Click “Export” and choose SVG or PDF format. You can export each layer separately or combined, depending on how you plan to cut.

Pro Tip: Keep the number of contour layers reasonable to simplify assembly. You can always remove smaller contours before exporting.

Step 3: Prepare Your Layers for Cutting

Once you’ve downloaded the SVG or PDF from LaserMapMaker:

• Open the file in LightBurn, Illustrator, or your preferred software.
  

• Assign different contour lines or boundaries to different layers or colors in the software.
  

• If necessary, clean up overlapping lines or simplify complex shapes for easier cutting.

At this stage, you should create one file for each elevation band. These will correspond to physical layers of material.

Step 4: Choose Your Materials

The most common materials for this project include:

• ¼″ MDF – sturdy and affordable, perfect for engraving and stacking
  

• ⅛″ plywood – lighter and more detailed, ideal for smaller models
  

• Cardstock or heavy paper – great for quick classroom demos

Label each sheet to correspond to your contour elevation layer, and make sure the material size matches your exported map files.

Step 5: Laser Cut Each Layer

Now you’re ready to cut:

1. Load your first material sheet into the laser cutter.
   

2. Open the corresponding file and set the operation to “cut” for outlines and “engrave” for roads or elevation labels.
   

3. Repeat this process for each elevation level until you’ve cut all layers.
   

4. Stack the layers in order from lowest elevation to highest.

OMTech laser cutters make this step especially efficient with high-speed, high-precision cutting that ensures clean edges and detailed engravings.

Step 6: Assemble the Map

Once all the pieces are cut:

1. Start with the base (lowest elevation).
   

2. Use wood glue or spray adhesive to attach the next highest layer. Use weights or clamps to keep each layer flat as it dries.
   

3. Continue stacking and gluing until all layers are assembled.
   

4. Sand any rough edges if needed and apply finish paint or stain for added visual depth.

You now have a tactile, layered model that shows terrain elevation in a striking, physical format.

Step 7: Customize & Display

Your map is done—but the fun doesn’t stop there:

• Paint different elevation zones in different shades (dark green for lowlands, brown for highlands, white for peaks).
  

• Add a frame or shadow box for wall mounting.
  

• Engrave titles, compass roses, or custom labels for added educational value.

For extra credit, include a written explanation of the elevation data or geography in a school report.

Why Laser Cutters Are Ideal for Topographic Maps

While you could technically trace and cut layers by hand, the precision and efficiency of a laser cutter make this project far more accurate and manageable—especially for classroom settings or science fairs. Every layer is crisp, repeatable, and scalable, allowing students to focus on design and learning instead of manual errors.

Map Out Your Next Project with OMTech

Creating a 3D topographic map is more than just a craft—it’s a fusion of geography, digital fabrication, and art. With tools like LaserMapMaker.com to generate vector files and OMTech laser cutters to bring them to life, students and educators alike can produce professional-grade maps in the classroom.

Ready to bring STEM education to the next level? Explore the full range of OMTech CO2 laser cutters — designed to empower makers, educators, and innovators. Explore the OMTech Education Program to receive exclusive discounts and support that will help you acquire a laser engraving machine and bring your designs to life.

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