Challenge

Using 3D landscape/cityscape models for education, situational analysis, and communication requires the timely conversion of geographic information systems (GIS) data to physical form. Unfortunately the traditional processes for building models - hand made, CNC, or moulded - are slow and expensive. Turnaround can take weeks and cost thousands of rand.

Solution

3D printers enable you to output high-quality terrain, urban and subsurface maps in hours at very low cost. The technology will fundamentally improve the way you use GIS data to communicate, plus enable you to analyse critical elements with quick, inexpensive, and easily reproducible 3D models

Advantages

• Rapidly produce sophisticated cartography at very low cost
• Hours instead of days or weeks
• Tens or hundreds of rand, instead of thousands
• Fundamentally change the way you use GIS data to communicate
  • Raise exposure & visibility of GIS data
  • Communicate clearly with clients, co-workers, public audiences

Benefits

1. Rapid, inexpensive production of quality terrain, urban and subsurface maps
2. Models in hours, not days or weeks
3. Tens or hundreds of rand, not thousands
4. No geometrical limitations – print any shape