MapLab3D HD small
← MapLab3D
THIS SITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
This tutorial uses the example of Heidelberg's old town to explain in as few steps as possible how to create a simple map using MapLab3D and the default settings. The example was created using version 1.0.0.3. The result may look different with a different version and different default settings.
Preparation
First, you need to install the MapLab3D app. Follow the instructions provided here.
Data is required to create a map. The data for this example can be downloaded. To speed up the process, you can also use ready-made sample data.
1. Option: Use the prepared data
Create a project subdirectory in the MapLab3D data directory, for example, "...\MapLab3D\Heidelberg_Old_Town\". Download the data from this example here and unzip the file into the project subdirectory.
Note: To use the project parameter file “MapLab3D_ProjectParameters_1_0_0_3_HDOT.xlsx” included in the ready-made sample data, you must have a program version with the version number 1.0.x.x (x is variable) installed. If this is not the case, the project parameter file of the installed app version must be copied to the project directory and customized (see below, chapter “Project Parameters”).
Now continue with the step "Create 2D map".
2. Option: Prepare data yourself
OpenStreetMap data and elevation data
Download the OpenStreetMap data and elevation data as described in Data sources. In this example, the area has the following dimensions:
- Longitude of the left edge of the bounding box: 8.7°
- Longitude of the right edge of the bounding box: 8.717°
- Latitude of the bottom edge of the bounding box: 49.4075°
- Latitude of the top edge of the bounding box: 49.4172°
Recommended storage locations:
- OpenStreetMap data: "...\MapLab3D\Heidelberg_Old_Town\OSM\Heidelberg_Old_Town.osm"
- Elevation data: "...\MapLab3D\Heidelberg_Old_Town\SRTM_GeoTIFF\n49_e008_1arc_v3.tif"
Project Parameters
Copy the project parameters file "MapLab3D_ProjectParameters_x_x_x_x.xlsx," which was included in the MapLab3D app package, to the project directory "...\MapLab3D\Heidelberg_Old_Town\" and rename it to "MapLab3D_ProjectParameters_x_x_x_x_HDOT.xlsx" (Heidelberg Old Town). Then, some parameters need to be adjusted:
Changes in section "Project name and scale" and in the column with the heading "PROJECT":
- Enter the project name to specify the DATASET_x column to be used.
- Enter the abbreviation of the project name that appears in the file names.
- Specify the scale.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | … | … | Q | … | … | T | … | X |
| 10 | project | N | 1 | 1 | projectname | S | Heidelberg Old Town | Name of the project (in detail) |
| 11 | project | N | 1 | 1 | filename | S | HDOT | Part of the file names that shows the project name (in short) |
| 12 | project | N | 1 | 1 | scale | N | 10000 | Scale |
Changes in the section “Important map settings:” and in the column with the heading “DATASET_2”:
- Enter the same project name as above to specify the DATASET_x column to be used.
- Documentation of the abbreviation of the project name that appears in the file names (optional).
- Adjustment of the frame height: Because the map is to consist of only one tile, no mounting plate is required.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | … | T | … | X |
| 15 | general | N | 1 | 1 | projectname | S | Heidelberg Old Town | Name of the project (in detail) |
| 19 | general | N | 1 | 1 | comments | N | 1 | 1 | filename | S | HDOT | Comments: part of the file name that shows the project name (in short) |
| 56 | 0 | Thickness of the mounting plate to which the tiles are glued |
Changes in the section “Optional: Map legend:” and in the column with the heading “DATASET_2”:
- Entering the legend heading: in capital letters, because they are easier to print individually.
- Disabling the frame around the legend and the display of scale and elevation so that the legend does not become too large.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | … | T | … | X |
| 68 | HEIDELBERG | Legend title (for example, the name of the city or country). |
| 69 | 0 | Show legend frame (0/1). |
| 72 | 0 | Show scale and superelevation (0/1). |
Now save the project parameter file.
Creating the 2D map
In this step, a 2D view of the map is created, which serves as the editing area for the map objects. Perform the following steps:
- Load the project parameters: "Menu: File - Load project parameters". Answer the queries as follows:
- "Select the project parameters file": "MapLab3D_ProjectParameters_x_x_x_x_HDOT.xlsx".
- "Select a project directory": "...\MapLab3D\Heidelberg_Old_Town\".
- Load the OpenStreetMap data and elevation data: "Menu: File - Load OSM and elevation data." Answer the queries as follows:
- "Select the OSM data file": "...\MapLab3D\Heidelberg_Old_Town\OSM\Heidelberg_Old_Town.osm".
- "Select the elevation data directory": "...\MapLab3D\Heidelberg_Old_Town\SRTM_GeoTIFF\" (self-downloaded) or "...\MapLab3D\Heidelberg_Old_Town\SRTM_mat\" (ready-made sample data).
- Create the 2D map: "Menu: File - Create map".
Editing the 2D map
This is the result of the previous steps:
In the next steps, the map will be simplified: Left-click to select map objects and click the “Tab: Edit map - Visibility - Hide” button to hide them. Now hide the following objects:
- Small waterways (ditches, streams)
- All text objects except for the text in the legend
2D map after hiding small waterways and texts
Run the “Menu: File - Map editing - Simplify map” function to reduce overlaps and delete parts that are too small. This reduces material costs and makes printing and assembly easier.
Create STL data of the map and frame
Run the “Menu: File - Create map STL files” function to create the STL data of the map.
Run the function “Menu: File - Create frame STL files.” Confirm the suggested frame dimensions with “OK.”
3D map after "Create map STL files" and "Create frame STL files"
The results were saved in the project directory in:
- “...\MapLab3D\Heidelberg_Old_Town\STL”: STL files, preview images, and a 2D overview (HDOT - map topview).
- “...\MapLab3D\Heidelberg_Old_Town\STL_repaired”: repaired STL files. Any remaining errors must be repaired using an external program, such as Prusa Slicer. Use these files for printing.
Print STL data
Now print the parts on a 3D printer.
Note: When using an FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) printer, experience has shown that it's a good idea to coat the print bed with a glue stick after about every third print run and spread the glue evenly with a wet rag. This prevents small parts from coming loose during printing. For the large tile bases, additional glue should be applied to the corners to prevent the corners from warping off the print bed.
Now you have learned the basic procedure for operating the app and have thus achieved the goal of this example.
You may have noticed areas for improvement, for example, there are some very small parts. The map layout can be improved with manual editing, but this requires more intensive familiarization with the app's capabilities. An example with more detailed instructions can be found at Large map of Heidelberg.