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December 2018

Interactive 3D Map

A large scale topographic map, combined with projections of real time nationwide weather

I undertook my 3D Topographic Map project during my high school engineering design course. The goal was to create a five foot wide wooden map which accurately modeled the terrain of the United States, and then be able to project a variety of different live weather patterns onto it to watch in real time how weather was unfolding across the country.

The first challenge was building the map itself. The map is made out of over 200 pieces, which are interlocked and stacked to create the realistic topography. These outlines of each layer were broken down into small enough pieces that they could fit on Winchester High’s miniature laser cutter to be cut out and marked. From there came a dry fit, followed by layer by layer glue ups, using heavy weights to keep everything as flat and even as possible. Afterwards, 6 coats of white spray paint made the surface ready for projection.

While the glue was drying I turned my attention to the software. While I was able to use Isadora, a commercial projection mapping software, to map any image to the surface of the map, one of the goals of the project was to be able to use a variety of different layers which updated in real time. To achieve this, I wrote a custom script to download images in real-time from Wikipedia’s political map, OpenWeatherMaps, and data published by Iowa State University. Using these APIs, my software downloaded specific tiles relevant to my map, stitched them together to form a map of the contiguous United States, manipulated them to make them bright and vibrant enough for projection, and passed the resulting imagery to Isadora for mapping. My software also implemented controls to allow for each different layer to be enabled or disabled, with transparency support for overlays.

The map can display the following data in real time:

Demonstration Video

This video contains a few clips of my development and testing process, and will soon be replaced by a more comprehensive demonstration.

Gallery

Interlocked segments of plywood forming a partial outline of the United States.
First few pieces cut and stacked up, each labeled with its layer and position.
A stack of plywood pieces of a container.
All the pieces it took to make the map (over 200!).
A topographic map of the US made from stacked sections of plywood.
Dry fit once all the pieces are finally cut and assembled.
Side view of topographic map of the US made from stacked sections of plywood.
The Z scale is exaggerated for effect, which is especially obvious on the West Coast.
Single plywood layer in the shape of the US with glue drizzled on top.
First layer assembled, and glue applied ready to adhere the second layer.
Various pieces of steel and weights stacked on a sheet of chipboard, which is in turned stacked on top of the map.
Applying a significant amount of weight evenly across the map was critical to keep everything flat and even while the glue set.
Blotches of colored radar activity projected onto a blank outline of the United States.
Developing and testing the custom software on a flat printout while I wait for the layers to glue.
The completed map with a light coat of white paint applied.
The first layer of white paint after the map is glued. The white color provides a bright canvas for projection.
The completed map covered in bright white paint.
Final layer of paint applied, showing of the bright reflective characteristic.
The white map turned blue and green showing different temperature areas.
The custom software projecting a mapped image representing temperatures in different areas.
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