Created a topographical map of Washington state with variable scaling as a function of elevation. – August 29, 2022 at 01:51PM

Finished a topographical print of Washington State. The elevation range from sea level to 14,411 feet.

To get the lower elevation to pop without distorting the mountains, I used a log function that scales sea level at 10x and 15k feet at 1x. The .stl file was generated with an elevation scale of 10x on touchterrain.geol.iastate.edu with a 1 mm base thickness. The .stl files were then converted to an ascii format in meshmixer.

Because I haven’t found a program to scale an .stl file as a function of the z axis, I tasked my 16 yo son to write a python script to multiply all the z values greater than 1 mm in the .stl by a function I defined. He made the script in less than 10 minutes.

Excel was used to curve fit a logarithmic equation of the scale I wanted for the new .stl file. (Setting scale at sea level at 1, and .1 at 15k feet). The curve fit equation was then integrated and plugged back into my son’s python script. The script then modified all of the ascii .stl files.

I printed all the pieces vertically with .15 mm layer height and for the most part, look great. The print seemed to look best with supports around as much of the base as possible to assist with adhesion. Even so, I did get a slight bit of lift off the print bed.

The pieces were then bonded to plywood with superglue. The cracks were filled with epoxy putty, and then the print was primed and hand painted with acrylic paint.

Google maps was used as a guide for painting coastlines, choosing paths for rivers and lakes, and choosing areas for bare rock and snow in the mountains. Although it was tedious, it was kinda therapeutic.

The frame is painted trim board from A hardware store. I considered printing parts for a frame, but decided it would take less time and effort to build one from wood.

The entire project took about 4.5 months, and I worked on it off and on nights and weekends.