Make 3d Layered Map Files With Laser Map Maker!

Make a really cool 3d layered map with Laser Map Maker! In this tutorial we show you how to prepare map files using Laser Map Maker and Inkscape. There are other design editors available but Inkscape is free so we will use this.

Supplies

A desktop computer/laptop
Inkscape Download for Mac or Windows
A Laser engraver/cutter

Step 1: Sign In/Sign Up

Begin by logging into Laser Map Maker. If you do not have an account, the sign-up process is quick and easy.

Step 2: Choose a Style

A map style is made up of a specified group of layers and styling to for those layers. To select a style, click the "New Style" button located in the bottom left pane. For this tutorial, we will be utilizing the "Duotone" style.

Step 3: Find Your Desired Location

To locate a specific place, enter the desired location in the search bar located at the top right corner of the map. For the purpose of this tutorial, we will be searching for "New York City" and then pressing Enter on your keyboard.

Step 4: Pan - Zoom - Lock

Zooming involves adjusting the proximity or distance from the map location. There are several methods to zoom in Laser Map Maker. Beneath the search bar, you can click the plus and minus signs to zoom in and out. Alternatively, you can hover your mouse over the map and utilize the mouse scroll to zoom in and out.

Panning comes into play when you have achieved the desired zoom level and need to fine-tune the map position. Simply click and hold the mouse, then drag the map in any direction as needed.

Locking your map will hold it in place and disable panning and zooming. We will be changing layers and exporting multiple times while this is locked. That way, you have the exact position of the map for each layer to stack nicely on top of the other. The lock/unlock button is in the top left corner of the map, you simply click it once to lock or unlock.

In this tutorial, we will utilize the zoom and pan functionalities to navigate to our desired position for the New York map file. Take a look at the two images above and note the second one has been panned and zoom in on. If you are following along, you will need to do the same. Try and match our image with your map!

Step 5: Geometry and Labels

The map comprises two main groups: Geometry and Labels.

Geometry Layers consist of Line, Fill, or Shade elements.

Label Layers consist of various label types.

To navigate between these layers, use the toggle option at the top of the left-side pane. Ensure that "Geometry" is selected for the next step.

Step 6: Geometry Categories

A category helps organize the layers into groups, helping the user locate a desired layer. An example would be a user wants to change a water layer, they may assume it may be in the "Water" category.

The images above display what the left side pane looks like before and after selecting the "Water" category.

Now let's look at editing Geometry layers.

Step 7: Editing Geometry Layers

You can see from this image we have opened the first layer by click directly on the name "water-gap-width".

From here you can update 2 layer properties: Width and Color.

Width is applied to lines with thicknesses. So if the layer is a type "line" we will display the plus and minus buttons. If the layer is not a type of "line" we will display "N/A", which stands for "Not Available". Line types are read behind the scenes in our code, so you won't need to worry. Just change the width if it's available.

If the plus and minus signs are available but nothing happens when you click them, don't worry! All this means is you need to click the refresh button right next to the buttons, this will reset the layer defaults and allow you to use it. I could explain why this is happening but it would be VERY boring. So just click the refresh icon! Line widths are really helpful for adding a bit of extra style or accents to an engraved piece.

Color is applied to all layer types, all you need to do is select the color square and choose your desired color. If you are updated the "water-gap-width" still you should see the line color change!

For this tutorial you won't actually need to change any line widths or colors.

Step 8: Toggling Layers

Notice in the image you can see checkboxes next to each layer when you open a category.

Go through each of the categories and toggle off each layer EXCEPT for "water-gap-width" in the "Water" Category. This will be our first layer we will process.

Step 9: Label Categories

In step 5 we talk about Geometry and Labels, now that you have your Geometry layers turned off (except for "water-gap-width"), click on Labels checkbox to display the label categories.

If you would like to try out the labels properties Size and Color, navigate through the labels layers just like you did for the lines in step 7.

Next open every category and turn off every layer, we won't need labels for this project. If you do use labels, just make sure you export them separately from any cut lines. We will discuss how to export each layer you need.

Step 10: Exporting Layers

Notice on the far right side of the map there is a printer button. Click on this button to start the export process.

For this tutorial settings we are choosing the square, 300 dpi, and PNG. Click on the button "Generate", this should save to your downloads.

Step 11:

We plan on building a map with Water, Land and Roads. We took the water outline, but it's actually not for the water layer! We will cut this layer and place it onto our first flat square layer with no cuts or engraves. The areas where the first layer is not covered by the cutout is our water. So we are actually already done with water and are working on the land layer. Confused? Don't worry, it'll all make sense shortly.

Step 12: Importing Into Inkscape

Begin by opening Inkscape.

Import your first file into the software, by selecting file from the tool bar and clicking on import.

Select your png you downloaded.

Follow the same settings in the second image.

Now we should see our imported map image on the editor.

Step 13: Tracing to Bitmap

Now that our image is in Inkscape we need to prepare it for the laser. We will use a process where you trace the image to bitmap before sending it off to the laser.

Navigate to the toolbar and select Path then select Trace Bitmap. Look at the second image if you get confused, match the settings I am showing and select Apply when you are ready. The traced image is directly on top of the old image, drag the image off the top of the current map!

Since my laser is configured to cut red lines, we are applying red to the lines. If you have a different configuration like line width, you will need to adjust the tracing line widths.

Step 14: Assembling

Once you are done cutting, lay your first flat blank layer (water) and place the layer you just cut on top of it!

One thing to note is if you wanted to add street lines to this file you could have. You just need to import them in separately, and set on top of you red lined layer. The laser will cut red lines and engrave dark lines.

Now that you know the process, turn off the water layer and turn on the desired road layers to make your 3rd layer. This layer will need to be cut. Enjoy!