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How do you make a 3d topographic map?

i have to make a 3d topographic map project and i don't know how to do it. it has to be simple, but still look good. any help?

Public Comments

1. You can do this pretty easily out of styrofoam. You want some that's pretty dense, but not too thick. Here's a super simple map (it's a hill with a stream/canyon going up the left side) you can use. http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fosrec/images/MetzgerFig1.gif You want to start with the outer-most countour line. Trace that onto your styrofoam and cut the shape out. Trace the next circle onto the styrofoam and cut it out as well. Keep going until you get all the circles on the map cut out of they styrofoam. Then stack them up with the biggest on the bottom; you should place them in their correct positions on the map. Glue all the pices together. When you get done, it should make a hill shape with a canyon down the side. You could use thick cardboard (like a heavy box) instead of styrofoam if you have that handy.