This document discusses 3D printing of geospatial data from GIS systems. It describes how GFZ Section 1.1 is successfully operating a 3D printer and working with CeGIT on projects involving complex 3D data visualization. The current process involves transferring data from GIS software to code that can drive the 3D printer, but the workflow is loosely coupled. Examples shown include a 3D printout of a tsunami simulation. Future goals are to print more complex 3D models, multi-colored outputs, elevation data, and combining multiple data layers in a single printout.

1. Tangible 3D printouts from GIS-Data:
A work in progress report
November 14 2012
Peter Löwe, CeGIT
Marcel Ludwig, Section 1.1

2. Introduction
• We use GIS to
– process environmental data to trigger decisions –by decision makers.
– to derive 2D maps from our data for the web or print to communicate.
– to derive volatile 3D visualisations using GIS or other tools – to
communicate.
• Things get tricky
– When the decision makers have to interact with the data.
– Decision makers aren‘t GIS ninjas – and don‘t carebother to read the
manual.
– Volatile 3D images on 3D Screens like Geo Walls, Visio Labs etc. don‘t last
for later reference.
• Duh.

3. Skills + Tools + Standards:
The whole is larger than its parts
• GFZ Section 1.1 is successfully operating a 3D printer -
mostly for rapid prototyping
• The Centre for GeoInformation Technology (CeGIT) is involved
in R&D projects involving GIS and complex data:
– TRIDEC-Project: Quality checking for „2D+Time“ data stacks.
– Upcoming projects: Visualizion of geological bodies in 3D.
• Common technological standards allow Section 1.1 and CeGIT to
share their ressources.

4. 3D Printing ?
3D Printer
„RapMan
3.2“
Mr. Marcel
Ludwig,
GFZ Section 1.1

5. Hardware Details: RapMan2.3
Printing heads
Cooling fan
Ongoing print
Raw material
on spools
User
Interface (USB/FTP)
Max. print size: 27cm * 14,5cm * 15cm

6. Live Printing
Printing
head
Ongoing
print

7. Current Data Flow – Loose coupled
Geospatial
data
3D Printer
Work in progress
Transfer
GRASS Process Gplot-Code
GIS

8. Model vs. Printout of a Tsunami
Simulation (Tohoku 2011)
Printing time:
11 hours

9. THAT is a Tsunami ?
• It‘s a space-time cube (STC) of a
tsunami.
• A STC is a „stack of 2D maps“.
• The maps show the same
phenomenon at consecutive points
in time.
• The „paper“ is removed, „ink“
stays.
STC of a travel
path
http://www.itc.nl/personal/kraak/1812/t-3D-napoleon-final.jpg

10. The Tohoku 2011
Tsunami

11. The road ahead
• Complex 3D bodies: Achieved
• Multicolor 3D bodies: Pending
• 2.5D Surfaces (Elevation models): In the works
• Hardening of the workflow: Ongoing
• Mash-Up of different information layers in one print: 2013
Next Goal: Long Night of Science 2013

12. Thank you
Marcel Ludwig (Section 1.1)
mludwig@gfz-potsdam.de
Peter Löwe (CeGIT)
ploewe@gfz-potsdam.de