3D Printing Maps: STL Export

3D-printed maps are a unique way to visualise the urban environment. Buildings gain volume, roads turn into grooves, and parks and water bodies take on their own relief. The osm2cdr.ru service lets you export any district to the STL format, ready for 3D printing.

How it works

The STL exporter converts flat OpenStreetMap data into a three-dimensional model:

• Buildings — extruded by height (the building:levels or height attribute from OSM).
• Roads — grooves or ridges on the base plane.
• Water bodies — recesses below the base level.
• Green areas — a textured surface.

Export recommendations

1. Choose a small area (0.5–3 km²). For 3D printing, detail matters more than scale.
2. Set the detail level to «maximum». This includes every building and small object.
3. The STL format is binary and works best with slicers (Cura, PrusaSlicer, OrcaSlicer).

Preparing for printing

After downloading the STL file:

1. Open it in a slicer and check the model size. The recommended size is 150–200 mm along the long side.
2. Scale it if necessary.
3. For PLA, we recommend a layer height of 0.15–0.2 mm.
4. Supports are usually not needed — the model has a flat base.

Alternative 3D formats

• OBJ — with textures and materials for rendering.
• glTF — for web visualisation in Three.js and Cesium.
• 3MF — a modern replacement for STL with colour information.

Project ideas

3D maps from OSM are used for architectural models, personalised gifts (a map of your home town), educational models and exhibition stands. The model can be painted with acrylics or printed on a multi-colour 3D printer.