Turn a GPS track into a 3D-print STL

GPXTopo can export the terrain under your route as a solid model with a flat base, ready for a 3D printer. The file is built in your browser, in millimetres.

Steps

1. Open the studio and load your track. Choose a GPX, FIT, TCX, GeoJSON, or KML file, drop it on the page, or select Try a sample track to follow along. Wait until the 3D terrain appears.
2. Select Export in the top bar. Under Format choose STL or 3MF. The dialog shows the size of the model in millimetres and about how large the file will be.
3. Set the size of the model with Width. It is the width in millimetres, from 10 to 500, and starts at 100.
4. Set Base to the thickness of the flat slab under the lowest point of the terrain. It starts at 2 mm.
5. Set Terrain relief to how tall the relief is. It starts at 12 mm. Raise Route relief if you want the route to stand out more. It starts at 0.9 mm.
6. Select Export STL or Export 3MF. Your browser saves the file.

In your slicer

Both formats are scaled in millimetres. STL is the simplest format and every slicer reads it. 3MF is a newer format that records the unit, and most current slicers read it too. The model has a flat base, so print it base-down. Check the size in your slicer before you start.

Tips

• A steep area can make a tall, thin model. If yours looks fragile, try a lower Terrain relief first.
• The model needs the terrain data, so GPXTopo must be online while it builds the terrain. Exporting the file does not need a connection.