How the mountain model is made

We take real elevation data (swissALTI3D 2 m lidar for Switzerland and the global Copernicus GLO-30 model) and build a watertight solid: terrain, rocky sides, rim and bottom as one object that prints without supports. Plates larger than the printer bed are split into seamless tiles.

Climber figures and huts are placed automatically: the climber finds the steepest wall near the summit, the hiker stands on a levelled spot, the hut sits on a gentle slope. Satellite imagery gives a photo preview and a painting guide.