Browsing through Google Maps or a similar satellite imagery site is a great way to pass an evening. You can pretend that you’re actually visiting places that you’ve never been to, and get an idea of what they look like even if you can’t afford the travel costs. But what if you could hold a physical copy of one of those images?
Digital Maps Become 3D Reality
Image Credit Geek.com
Terrafab is a program that allows you to create a 10 centimeter square model of a slice of Norway. You can zoom out to get a large piece of the map, or zoom way in to focus on a single canyon or waterfall. The printed pieces look a lot like the 3D Minecraft models that we’ve mentioned before, although they’re just a bit more realistic. The models are actually painted to resemble a satellite image, allowing you to hold a physical chunk of the map.
The reason Norway was chosen is that detailed maps of the country are public record. This made it easy for the program’s creators to create a 3D model without doing the legwork themselves. The digital models are free, too; if you want to take the mesh model and mess around in your own 3D program, you can download it at no charge.
Likewise, printing one of these models on your own computer is also free; however, if you don’t have one, you can go ahead and order your custom model through Shapeways. At around $100, the price is fairly steep, but keep in mind that you’re paying for a custom paint job of an extremely detailed and finished piece.
The Possibilities of 3D Maps
A piece of Norway’s coastline will look quite pretty on your office desk, but this kind of software also has more potential. Imagine using these maps as a learning tool in schools; students could touch a famous landmark, get to know the layout of the town they are studying, and even solve logistical problems using a real 3D figure in front of them.
There’s also the fact that more models of this nature would be a boon to anyone nostalgic for their home country, city, or even block. A 3D model of a favorite street could help anyone feel less homesick.
Practical uses aside, this program is undeniably cool. The amount of data it required was relatively intensive; but if more map data is made available, who knows what kinds of models you’ll be able to print out next?