How I Make Laser Cut Maps: From Geographic Data to Wood and Card

Every map I make starts long before I switch on the laser cutter.

Whether I am creating a map of Tokyo, a marathon course, a cycling route, a railway station or a golf course, the first stage is turning real geographic information into a design that will eventually work as a physical piece of layered art.

For this part of my process, I use MyLaserTools.

Working with real map data

MyLaserTools allows me to create the initial map surprisingly quickly but, equally importantly, gives me the control to refine the design for each particular piece.

Not all maps need the same information. A railway map such as Shinjuku Station requires very different detail from a mountainous cycling route, a marathon course or one of my small card city maps.

This is where seemingly small adjustments become important. A road may look perfectly good as a thin line on a computer screen but be far too fragile when cut from wood or card. Being able to adjust line weights quickly and accurately is therefore particularly useful to me.

Helping shape the software

I have also had the opportunity to use MyLaserTools during its development as a beta tester.

As an experienced map maker, I have been able to suggest features that I think would benefit other users, including some I haven't encountered in other mapping software that could make the process faster or provide greater control over the finished design.

It has been particularly rewarding to see the developers respond to feedback and introduce features that have become genuinely useful to the way I work.

MyLaserTools recently featured some of my work, along with my comments about using the software, on its Reviews & Maker Love page. It was lovely to see my finished maps alongside work and feedback from other makers around the world.

You can see my feature and feedback from other makers on the MyLaserTools Reviews & Maker Love page.

From a digital map to something you can cut

Creating the map on screen is only the beginning.

Once I have the geographic information I need, I start thinking about how the design will exist as a physical object. Different elements may become separate layers: roads, waterways, buildings, railway lines, parks or the route of a marathon or cycling event.

MyLaserTools provides several useful export options, including SVG, STL and PNG.

I enjoy this combination of technology and hands-on making. Specialist mapping software gives me access to remarkably detailed geographic information, while a laser cutter lets me reproduce intricate designs with a level of precision that would be extremely difficult for me using traditional methods.

Then it's back to hands-on work: painting, gluing, assembling and framing.

PHOTO: Finished Shinjuku Station map

Thinking about making your own laser cut maps?

If you're considering buying a laser cutter because you'd like to make maps yourself, I wouldn't recommend starting with a large, complicated, multi-layer map!

Maps can combine precision cutting, engraving, complicated digital files, several materials and lots of small components. Become proficient by practicing with small projects first for each of the steos will saev you time and money. Mistakes with large pieces become considerably more expensive as your projects get bigger.

My own first laser projects weren't maps at all. I started with simple two-layer cactus designs using files I purchased from Etsy. They gave me an opportunity to learn how my machine behaved and how different materials responded before attempting my own increasingly complicated designs.

One of my early laser projects. I started with simple two-layer designs before attempting my own maps.

And, somewhat related, keep suitable fire extinguisher close to your laser. I learned that lesson after accidentally cutting cardboard at rather more power than intended!

Starting with simple projects gave me the confidence and experience to move on to more ambitious work.

In my next post, I'll share six things I've learned that may help if you're thinking about making your first laser-cut map.