Register free to use the terrain map maker

Making, converting and downloading on 3d-lithophane.com is for members. Registering is free and takes a minute: then you can use every tool, with free downloads every day.

Just looking? The gallery, the blog and the guides are open to everyone. Back to the home page.

Print a 3D terrain map of any place

Search for a place or move the map, then drag the box over the area you want. The heights come from open terrain data, and you choose the size, how much the height is exaggerated, the base and the shape.

Download it as a 3D model of the land, or as a lithophane panel that shows the mountains and valleys when a light shines through it. North is always at the back of the model and at the top of the panel.

Tips for a good print

  • Flat land needs more height exaggeration to show; mountains need less.
  • A smaller area shows more detail: a whole country comes out smooth.
  • Print a terrain model with fine layers (0.12 mm) so the slopes do not step.

Frequently asked questions

Where do the heights come from?

From the open Terrain Tiles on AWS, made from several public elevation sources. The page credits them in full.

Can I make a lithophane of a mountain?

Yes. Choose the lithophane panel: with a light behind it the mountains show dark and the valleys bright, or the other way round if you prefer.

Does the sea come out flat?

Yes, everything below sea level is made flat. Raise the level to flatten a lake or a valley floor, or to cut off everything below a height.