Map2Model Alternative for 3D Terrain Models

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

If you used Map2Model for mountains, landscapes or routes rather than city blocks, Printed Canyon covers these cases:

• Terrain of a place: search for a mountain, park or town, or enter coordinates, and get a relief model built from elevation data.
• A whole US state: pick a state for a model cut to the state 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 and GPX to STL.

What Printed Canyon cannot replace

Printed Canyon makes terrain models. It does not add buildings, streets, water bodies or parks from OpenStreetMap, and it does not split map features into colored parts. A model of a city shows the land beneath the city, not its skyline.

If buildings and streets are the point of your model, choose one of the tools below that includes them.

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 state, choose Pick a state instead.
2. Check the selected area, then select Choose Product.
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 & export, tick STL, 3MF or both, and select Generate model files.
6. At checkout, choose an amount if you are asked; $0 is accepted. Select Get Your Files, 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.