HOW TO MAKE A LASER CUT MAP

If you want to know how to make a laser-cut map, then this is the video for you. The map-making process isn't as difficult as you think and in this video, I will show you the easiest way to use your laser to cut a map for any place on the planet.

I will walk you through simple map styling to get the best laser cut and show how with a tool like Inkscape you can create easy multi-layer visuals that will be the envy of all. So come and join me and we can make our world together.

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►►►► VIDEO CONTENTS
0:00 Introduction
0:32 Creating Map Images
4:45 Converting Images to Vectors
8:21 Laser Engraving and Cutting
8:48 Assembly
9:29 Final Thoughts and Additional Tips

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► MY MAKER SPACE
3D Printers
Sliced-Pi ]|[ CoreXY (self-designed)
Sliced-Pi ][ CoreXY - self-designed
Prusa I3Mk3 with MMU 2
Creality CR-10 (massively upgraded)
Laser Cutter
Full Spectrum Laser Muse 3D
CNC Router

► SOFTWARE I USE

► MUSIC
Intro Track:

#stevemakeseverything #laserengraver #laserengraving #laserengravingmachine #laserbusiness #lasercutting #laserprojects #maker #makersgonnamake #map #mapping

[mohanmariwala]

Steve this by far is the easiest and best explained tutorial on laser cut maps. You are right, most videos go through a uneneccsary complex path of managing the map downloads. You have made understanding so very simple. Thank you

[Samcraftcom]

This is THE BEST video on this technique! Straightforward, simple, and perfectly easy to understand and follow. Thanks Steve!!!

[ohm]

I have seen hundreds of videos on the subject, but you, Steve, are in the TOP 3

[joemoffatt]

Thanx for this, I'd watched a couple others and was left scratchin my head. You do a good job of telling the listener "why" we do each step and simplify the process, good job

[captcraig]

Thank you for being realistic. Some other YTers have made this very complicated. I am now looking forward to doing this with my local area. Great content!

[jarihu]

You left out the most tricky part for me, using Inkscape to do layers.

[kidu]

Two days ago someone asked me to make a clock with Brasov map (Romania) and today I found this video. Thanks!

[CAPTKMK]

Thanks for taking your time to put this vid together it showed me a lot! thanks again and I subscribed.

[CroGoose]

A nice way to speed up (eliminate actually) the engraving process... you can trace the center line of all the little streets and then do a low power "cut" with a defocused laser. That way you can engrave all the small roads pretty fast. I did a SF roads and took about 10 minutes to do all of them. Now, I use CorelDraw that has a feature called centerline tracing. It take a thick raster line and makes a vector line smack in the center of it which you can use for the defocused cut. Works gr8. Cheerio!

[CutItOutWithUs]

Thank you so much for this tutorial; it’s the most straightforward and concise explanation I have seen and I have watched several. You have a gift for teaching and incredible fluency in software. That’s the part that boggles my mind. I want to do a few maps; I’m thinking of using blue opaque acrylic for the water or, maybe translucent blue and backlight it..ooh la laaa! I truly appreciate the time you spend educating us Steve. You’re awesome!

[carvingandsuch]

Nicely done and well explained. Thank You.

[alnorr]

Good video a lot more to the point then the ones I origanally learned on. A trick I found to cut down the laser time, depending how thick you want you want your roads. If you are ok with thin roads or haveing the roads outlined with double lines this may work for you. Instead of engrave the roads set that layer to score or cut with a weak setting like cutting thin cardboard. This may require thining the lines in you editing software. For some maps It gives a nice clean look and is much faster. Other applications I still engrave the roads but just an option.

[jacknick]

Excellent Video - Thanks for posting !!!

[daisyslog]

Could you please explain on how did you create a frame layer adjoining the "Halifax" and all the other layers?

[davemaguire]

Hi Steve, great tutorial. I see you only cut three images from the four, is there a reason for this. Many thanks.

[IRIEZAYAREGGAERADIOSTATION]

Great job! Well done!! What is the option to check to see the homes and buildings please? THANKS

[derekjenkinson]

Literally just been thinking on how to make these!

[FedeVal-nu]

Great process Steve. The image trace of Lightburn can do the same as Inkspace?

[francisbrady]

Your land layer had open shapes on the border that somehow go closed when it was brought into Lightburn. How do you close them? I have tried numerouse times, but it never comes in l, ooking like yours.

[mirnaacciot-shirts]

Thank you so much for this video. I have a question for you. Can I use lightburn instead of Inkscape ? I feel more comfortable using lightburn when it comes to tracing images. Thanks in advance ❤