3D Printing City Maps: Export to STL

3D-printed maps are a unique way to visualize urban environments. Buildings become volumetric, roads become grooves, and parks get their own terrain. osm2cdr.ru exports any area to STL for 3D printing.

How It Works

The STL exporter converts flat OSM data into a 3D model:

• Buildings — extruded by height (from OSM tags building:levels or height).
• Roads — grooves on the base plane.
• Water bodies — depressions below the base level.

Export Recommendations

1. Select a small area (0.5-3 km²).
2. Detail level — "maximum".
3. Format STL (binary).

Print Preparation

1. Open the STL in a slicer (Cura, PrusaSlicer, OrcaSlicer).
2. No need to set the size: the model arrives fitted to the bed — 200 mm on the longest side.
3. Layer height 0.15-0.2 mm for PLA.
4. Supports are usually not needed — the model has a flat base.

Alternatives

• OBJ — with textures for rendering in Blender.
• glTF — for web visualization in Three.js.
• 3MF — modern STL replacement with colors.