Instructables: 3-D map

LASER-CUT 3-D MAP

picture of final product…

Yeah, we didn’t finish

One of the best parts of an open-world game is the map. In a favorite video game of Madison’s, Red Dead Redemption 2, the map is very diverse with many different islands, lakes, mountains, and towns. This instructable will teach you how to turn your favorite map into a beautiful wood masterpiece.

STEP 1: GETTING STARTED

First, you want to decide on what map or area you want to use, this could be a real place in the world, a map from and video game, or a completely original creation. Today we are going to be using a map from Red Dead Redemption 2. Next, decide on the size of the map, we made a 16×12 inch map. When searching for a photo of the map, try to find one with clear borders and a high resolution, this allows you to easily manipulate the photo when prepping it. Since we lost access to photoshop this year, we used a program called FireAlpaca, don’t ask why it’s called that, I have no idea.

STEP 2: preparing the map

Once you have the photo you want to use open whatever software you are using, photoshop, illustrator, FireAlpaca, or any other photo editor will most work. We chose to cut out each region of the map as separate pieces as well as the major lakes and rivers. It is recommended you use a couple layers to do this, for instance we used one for the territory borders, another for the water, and the actual map that you will trace. To do this, select a black paintbrush and go along the borders of what you want to cut. Make sure there aren’t any holes in the outline or else it won’t get cut correctly. To avoid any unwanted cuts, use the visibility tool on the program your using to hide the actual map.

STEP 3: TEST CUTS

Now that you have a sort of rough draft of what you want to do, it’s time to send it to the Laser Cutter. If you don’t know how to use a laser cutter, please go somewhere else to learn that because we know just enough to do what we are trying to do. Once you have finished the first cut look over each piece, is it cut correctly? Do you want to add more detail? Does it look like it is intended to? After making any changes you want to send it through the cutter again on a new piece of cardboard, keep repeating this process until you like what you see, now it’s time for the wood.

STEP 4: PREPARING THE WOOD

Now, you like what your test cuts look like and you’re ready to cut it onto some wood. But first, you need to make sure the wood is ready. You need to make sure the wood is the correct size and will fit all your pieces as well as fit inside the laser cutter.This next part is very customizable and you so not need to follow this if you do not wish. The fun of this project is making your own, so get wild. We decided to stain the wood a couple of different colors to add some detail. We stained the baseboard a dark brown, and after the cutting the wood we will stain the water blue and leave the land blank.

STEP 5: CUTTING TIME

Alright, your wood is stained or not, doesn’t matter. Now it’s time to throw everything into the laser cutter and press start. Once your pieces are cut try your best to keep them in the board they were but from so you aren’t trying to put a puzzle together when you are putting it all together. With the board you are putting this all onto we recommend drawing out the map, it doesn’t have to be good but enough to show where each piece will go, then you don’t have to worry about the pieces being in the wrong place when you glue them to the board. 

STEP 6: PUTTING IT TOGETHER

We also took creative liberty with this and decided to cut the water into the baseboard and take that out to replace it with the blue pieces. We also decided to put another piece of wood behind the baseboard, just so that the rivers wouldn’t wood glue nastiness on the baseboard, and also to give a place to add holes for hooks or whatever hanging apparatus you choose. Once you have all the pieces and know where you are putting them, grab some wood glue and slap the pieces together, make sure they are lined up correctly and it all looks good. Give it some time to sit and dry, and you’re done. CONGRATULATIONS, you made a map or 3D topographic area out of wood. Good job.