Make a 3D-printable terrain model for free

What happened to Map2Model

When we checked on September 16, 2026, map2model.com showed the heading “Map2Model has been shut down.” Its creator wrote that they had received legal notices concerning certain aspects of the tool and, because Map2Model was a small personal hobby project, were not in a position to take on a legal dispute. The page lists alternatives to try.

A separate site, map2model.de, uses the Map2Model name. It describes itself as an independent project, not affiliated with the original, that was inspired by map2model.com.

Printed Canyon is not affiliated with Map2Model or with any other tool in this guide. Features, prices and availability change, so check each site before you rely on it.

What Printed Canyon can replace

Printed Canyon covers these Map2Model uses:

• Terrain of a place: search for a mountain, park or town, or enter coordinates, and get a relief model built from elevation data.
• City blocks: turn on City features for buildings, roads, water and greenery, each a separate part for multi-color printing, in areas up to 30 km across.
• A whole country or US state: pick one for a model cut to its outline.
• A GPX route on the terrain: upload a hike, ride or run, then raise it, recess it or export it as a separate part for a second color.
• Files for your slicer: STL and 3MF for printing, plus a GLB for viewing.
• A free option: downloads are pay what you want, including $0, and no account is needed.

For details, see Map to STL, 3D printed topographic maps, 3D printed city maps and GPX to STL.

What Printed Canyon cannot replace

City features are deliberately simple. Buildings are plain blocks from each footprint and height, without roof shapes or architectural detail, and they cover areas up to 30 km across. Printed Canyon does not add map labels or text from the map.

If detailed buildings, a larger city area or map labels are the point of your model, try one of the tools below.

Other Map2Model alternatives

We checked each tool’s own website on September 16, 2026. They are listed alphabetically, not ranked.

Maps3D

A web editor for 3D map models with terrain, buildings and roads, and GPX or KML route import. Exports 3MF, STL and CAD formats. Paid per map or by subscription.

Mini Skyline

A free browser tool for printable city or terrain models with buildings, roads, water and relief. Exports 3MF. No account needed.

Terrain2STL

A free tool that makes an STL of a selected area of terrain from the 2000 SRTM3 elevation dataset, with a resolution of about 90 meters at the equator.

TerraPrinter

A free browser tool for terrain models with buildings, roads and water from map data, plus GPX route import. Exports 3MF or STL.

TouchTerrain

A free web app for creating 3D-printable terrain models, hosted at Iowa State University.

TrailPrint3D

A free Blender add-on that turns GPX tracks into 3D-printable terrain maps, with optional buildings and roads. Some features are premium.

Make a terrain model in Printed Canyon

1. Open the creator and choose Search a place. Search for your place, or enter latitude and longitude under Or enter coordinates directly and select Go. For a whole country or state, choose Country or state instead.
2. Check the selected area, then select Choose a style.
3. Choose 3D Terrain Model and select Continue. If you opened the creator from the link in step 1, the model is already selected.
4. In the model studio, open Layout to set the base shape, Model size and Base thickness. Open Terrain to adjust Elevation and Smoothing, and find Resolution under Advanced terrain settings.
5. Select Review your model, tick STL, 3MF or both, and select Continue to checkout.
6. At checkout, choose an amount if you are asked; $0 is accepted. Select Download free, or the download button with your tip, then download the files when Your files are ready appears.
7. Import the STL or 3MF into your slicer in millimeters, check that it fits your printer bed, and review the layer preview before printing.

For a route model, choose Upload a route in step 1 instead. In the studio, open Track and choose Raised (emboss), Recessed (engrave) or Separate part.

To show the route's climbs on the base, open Layout and choose Raised or Engraved under Elevation profile. The profile goes on the front wall of a square or rectangular base, and a thicker base gives it more height.

To add a trail name or date, open Text in the studio. Choose Engraved or Raised to put one line of text on the front or back wall of a square or rectangle base. Taller letters need a thicker base. With an elevation profile on the front wall, the text goes on the back wall.