TouchTerrain

thingiverse

GeoFabLab introduces their latest creation: TouchTerrain! http://touchterrain.geol.iastate.edu/ TouchTerrain is a free, open-source web application for downloading 3D printable terrain models for anywhere on Earth. TouchTerrain Utilizes Advanced Technology to Access Terrain Data TouchTerrain Details TouchTerrain leverages Google Earth Engine and an intuitive Google Maps-style interface to access 10m NED elevation data in the US, 30m SRTM data for most of the Earth ±60° from the equator and above sea-level, and ETOPO 1km data for the entire planet (including seafloor bathymetry!). TouchTerrain Offers Flexibility in Terrain Model Adjustments TouchTerrain can adjust terrain models before they are downloaded in several ways. It can exaggerate the Z to highlight subtle topographies. It can tile large areas to be printed on smaller build plates. It can also adjust the resolution of the model so it matches your printer's capabilities, preventing overwhelming your slicer or printer with excess data. Models Can Be Printed Locally or Uploaded for External Printing The models included here represent Crater Lake, Sheep Mountain (located in Wyoming near the Iowa State Univ Geology Field Camp) and Ames, Iowa (home to Iowa State University). These models can be 3D printed on your own equipment or uploaded to service companies like Shapeways.com. GeoFabLab is a Collaboration of Dr. Franek Hasiuk and Dr. Chris Harding in the Geology Program at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA. E-mail geofablab@gmail.com with questions, comments, and suggestions! Lesson Plan and Activity: 3D Print a Terrain Model Go to TouchTerrain (http://touchterrain.geol.iastate.edu/) on a computer or mobile device. Use the GoogleMaps-style interface to find an interesting location on Earth. If you're struggling to think of a place, try visiting part of the Grand Canyon in Northern Arizona. Click "Re-center box in current view." This will bring the selection box to where you've traveled to. Click "Export," which will take you to a new page listing the parameters you've picked for your model. Now click "Submit" and TouchTerrain will build your model. It may not seem like anything is happening, but in a few seconds to a few minutes, you should see a new page that gives you a link to download your model. Download your model. Open your model in a program capable of reading STL files (for example, Meshlab, Makerbot, or Meshmixer) or upload it to service companies like Shapeways.com or Viewstl.com. 3D Print Your Model Use your model to communicate with others about a piece of the earth or to learn something yourself about it! Materials Needed: * Computer * 3D Printer or funds for printing 3D models through a service company Skills Learned: * Geography * Geology * Orienteering * Environmental Science * Geodesy * Love of Earth Duration of Lesson: Minimum 10 minutes