Topographical 3D Prints

This exhibit features Topographical 3D prints created with rainbow colored filament to accentuate the elevation layers of each map. Both beautiful and educational, these prints allow for an exploration into the geographical landscape in a tactile way.

Austin Selley’s exploration and creation of the 3D prints started with the discovery of a found topographical file of the lower 48 United States. After this discovery, he printed the entire lower 48 map which ended up being 12 total prints averaging 12 hours each and 1 kg of filament to create a 2 x 1 ft map. This original map was printed in gray filament. With the hope of highlighting the geographical features of his maps further, Selley started using rainbow colored filament. He found that the color changed at the same intervals as was needed for any 60km by 60km areas of land. He has been printing different areas all over the world and has since purchased a 3D printer of his own.

Austin credits his curiosity and perfectionism for this collection of 3D prints, which translate publicly-available GIS data into topographic landscapes of unique geological formations. The eye-popping color gradations are the result of his careful use of a special color-changing filament—a break from the monotony of single-color 3D printing.