GSI Maps 3D (Chiriin Chizu 3D)

What is GSI Maps 3D (Chiriin Chizu 3D)?

GSI Maps 3D is a free browser tool from the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan that turns any part of its national web map into a 3D terrain model you can download as an STL. It has been online since March 2014. You move the normal map to a mountain, island or valley, open Tools, then 3D, and take a large or small square around the center of the screen, or mark out a custom area, even by typing its corner coordinates. Inside Japan the relief comes from GSI's own survey-based elevation grids, with the standard map or an aerial photo laid over it.

A slider and number box set the height exaggeration from 0 to 10 times. The download panel offers a plain STL for single-color printing, a VRML file with a texture image for full-color printers, and an OBJ with its material file. The model's longest side is always 150 mm on a 5 mm base, and GSI's FAQ says you may sell prints made from the STL as long as you credit GSI.

It needs no account and the source code is on GitHub. The screens are only in Japanese, and outside Japan it falls back to a much coarser global elevation layer. It suits anyone who wants to print Mt Fuji, a volcano or any corner of Japan from official survey data.

What you can make

• Terrain relief models of places in Japan
• Mountain and volcano models such as Mt Fuji
• Island and coastline relief blocks
• Textured VRML and OBJ terrain files for full-color printers

How to use GSI Maps 3D

1. Open GSI Maps and move to the place you want
2. Choose Tools (ツール), then 3D, and pick large (大), small (小) or custom (カスタム)
3. Set the height exaggeration (高さ方向の倍率) with the slider
4. Click Download (ダウンロード) on the STL row, save dem.stl and rotate it upright in your slicer