Raised Relief Maps in the Digital Age

Many of us have fond memories of viewing raised relief maps at park visitor centres, in museums or in the classroom. Perhaps we were fascinated by the geographical overview they afforded us, the miniaturisation of the landscape, or simply the You Are Here button that lighted a globe.

An overview of a few notable raised relief maps —or landform maps or terrain models— reveals a rich variety of uses. How and for what purposes were these terrain maps made?

Today cartographers have the ability to build terrain models without getting plaster or concrete on their hands. Digital elevation models, geographic information systems software, and 3D printing can replicate what geographer/artists have been making over the past two thousand years. What are some other benefits from the digital process? What are the shortcomings? What has changed with digital terrain mapping?

I will outline a process for making a 3D map, including the data, the software and the hardware, touching on some potential pratfalls and challenges. And I will ask, in the age of GPS maps in our pockets and virtual 3D map animations on our computers, is there a future for raised relief maps?

Transcript

1. Raised Relief Maps in the Digital Age Martin von Wyss @vWMaps IMIA Asia Pacific, Brisbane November 16, 2015
3. The terrain model can be contemplated from all directions, from the side, from above, and under different lighting conditions. … Raised relief maps are therefore particularly well-suited for landscape- and map-reading assignments. —Eduard Imhof, Gelände und Karte, 1968
4. Large-format Relief Models 1. timber to represent topo contours 2. plaster model 3. hand-painted
5. Windgällenrelief Eduard Imhof 1938 – 1939
8. 1955 1970
9. British Columbia George P. Challenger 1945 – 1952
10. British Columbia George P. Challenger 1945 – 1952
11. Relief Model of Australia Professor Edwin Hills 1941 – 1942
12. “An Army Sergeant (Orlando Dutton) who was employed made any obvious adjustments to the final model before the final casting was produced.” —Prof E. B. Joyce, The Victorian Geologist, March 2007
13. Gettysburg Electric Map Joseph L Rosensteel 1963
14. (video excerpt from https://youtu.be/dYxpkJFKb_s)
15. Rangoon US Army Map Services 1962
16. Thermoforming 1. plaster cast 2. maps are offset printed on PVC sheets 3. thermoforming to stretch map over master
17. Tasmania Littografia Artistica Cartografica 1962
19. “It is a matter of experience of our technicians … [who do a] little hand touch-up of the plaster cast” —former technical director, personal correspondence
20. What about 3d-Printing? a variety of media including metal paper plastic bio-ink food plaster
21. video excerpt from https://youtu.be/ObJ6TVJYSdM (starting at 3:03)
22. OfficeWorks CSIRO Shapeways
23. Beechworth Wine Region Martin von Wyss 2011
24. Mornington Peninsula Martin von Wyss 2015
25. MicroMouse Accutrans 3D Adobe Illustrator Bon Accord Track Ovens River Ea st Branch Diamantina River Kiewa Rive r West Branch Dargo River Walking Track Machinery Hill Tk Alpine Bright Rd West Kiewa Lo gging Rd Australian Alps Gre at Omeo Dargo High Plains Rd R azorback Walking Track Mt Smythe Mt Saint Bernard Mt Loch Mt Little Blowhard Mt Jim Mt Hotham Mt Hope Mt Feathertop Mt Blowhard Little Mount Higginbotham Little Mt Feathertop Little Baldy Mt Higginbotham Ettamogah Alpine Lodge Davenport Village Hotham Heights Hotham Central 2 km Ettamogah Alpine Lodge FOR SALE North
26. Early Days 1. still expensive
27. Early Days 1. still expensive 2. process is immature: the service bureaus don’t have specifications
28. Early Days 1. still expensive 2. process is immature: the service bureaus don’t have specifications 3. the quality isn’t there yet
29. JPG to be draped over model
30. “600 x 540 dpi”
31. Quality 1. image quality ~ colour ~ resolution
32. “5760 x 1440 x 508dpi”
33. Quality 1. image quality: manufacturers promise the world 2. software difficulties
34. virtual 3D model
35. virtual 3D model printed model
36. Quality 1. image quality 2. software difficulties
37. Quality 1. image quality 2. software difficulties 3. lack of familiarity with maps? ~ significant variation in colours ~ poor finishing
38. How do 3D-printed Terrain Models Differ? 1. The computer! 2. Accuracy 3. Reproductions 4. Data, Data, Data
39. What hasn’t changed? 1. Plaster 2. Need for technical expertise 3. Expensive!
40. The terrain model can be contemplated from all directions, from the side, from above, and under different lighting conditions. … Raised relief maps are therefore particularly well-suited for landscape- and map-reading assignments. But, unfortunately their production is expensive. Often they require a great deal of space and are difficult to transport. That is why, until now, they are predominantly museum pieces. —Eduard Imhof, Gelände und Karte, 1968
41. Whither the modern mapmaker? Enemy Aircraft Spotter Sickle Sharpener
42. A new era!
43. A new era! Martin von Wyss @vWMaps IMIA Asia Pacific, Brisbane November 16, 2015