Creating a Glowing 3D City Map of Halifax
I recently completed a stunning 3D laser-cut map of Halifax that showcases the city's beautiful waterways with a special glow-in-the-dark effect. Here's my step-by-step process for creating this unique piece.
Getting the Map Data
I started by obtaining accurate map data from OpenStreetMap. Halifax was the perfect choice for this project due to its distinctive coastline and harbour features that would really highlight the water elements.
Designing the Layers
For this project, I decided on a three-layer design:
- A white main layer featuring the city streets and layout
- A black top layer showing only the highways and main roads also works as a frame
- A blue base layer for the water features
I imported the map data into Inkscape to refine the design, adjusting the line weights and ensuring everything would cut properly.
Top Layer Design Tip: In the Inkspace use the Offset or Outset feature to add the required thickness to your path for the top layer.
Selecting Materials
Material selection was crucial for the effect I wanted:
- Pre-finished White plywood for the main city layer
- Pre-finished Black plywood for the highway overlay
- Glow-in-the-dark acrylic for the water features - this creates a magical effect when the lights go down
Laser Cutting Process
With the designs finalized, it was time for cutting. Since I used pre-finished plywood with an acrylic coating, I didn't need to use masking tape during the cutting process. After cutting, I simply wiped away the scorch marks for a clean finish.
For the acrylic water layer, I actually didn't need the laser cutter for the straight outer edges. A simple plastic scoring knife and snap technique worked perfectly for those parts, while the laser handled the intricate harbour details.
Assembly
I used 3M adhesive tape (btw we have it in stock!) to bond the layers together. Since this was a decorative 12"×12" piece that wouldn't be under stress, heavy-duty adhesives weren't necessary. The tape provided clean lines and sufficient holding power.
Finishing Touches
For a professional-looking edge, I applied washi tape around the perimeter of the assembled map. This gave it a finished look while hiding the layer edges.
The most exciting part was charging the glow-in-the-dark water layer with a UV flashlight to see the immediate effect. The harbour and waterways came alive with a blue-green glow that perfectly highlights Halifax's distinctive geography.
This laser-cut map makes for a beautiful decorative piece that shows off both craftsmanship and the unique geography of Halifax. The glowing water features create a conversation piece that transforms as day turns to night.