Page Comparison

Info

title	Considerations for this method

Much less material used than other topography methods
Quick to laser cut
Easy to set up laser files
If model scale, given topography lines, and material thickness correspond, model can be prepared entirely in 2D

Any vertical surface more than a couple layers thick will be empty in the model
- So vertical surfaces (including buildings) must be modeled separately from topography

Panel

title	On this page

Table of Contents

Material options

(image)

METHOD

MATERIAL

COST ($/sf)

TIME:

file prep

TIME:

fab

TIME:

assembly

TIME:

total

GREEN QUOTIENT

Horizontal laser-cut topo (offset method)

4ply museum board

$9.51

6

2.5

10

18.5

Horizontal laser-cut topo (offset method)

2ply museum board

$4.97

6

2.5

15?

23.5

Horizontal laser-cut topo (offset method)

crescent board

$9.51

6

2.5

10

18.5

Generate topography lines at a vertical distance that matches the thickness of your modeling material.
1. Create pockets for buildings.
Draw pieces for the sides of the model.
Split the contours into two rhino layers, A and B (alternating every other level). Make a copy of all the contours next to the originals.
1. In the first group, move layer A into your CUT layer and B into your ETCH layer.
2. In the second group, move layer A into your ETCH layer and B into your CUT layer.
Add any etching/hatching for roads, etc. to both groups.