Heightmap to STL
Heightmaps from terrain tools, game engines or elevation datasets map directly to 3D: every pixel's brightness becomes a height. The result is a closed, printable block of terrain with a flat base.
Sample image loaded. Drop your own above.How to use the heightmap to stl
- 1Add a pictureDrop a PNG, JPG, WebP or SVG. A sample image is preloaded so you can see the result straight away.
- 2Tune depth and detailSlide depth for how far shapes rise, and detail for how fine the mesh is. The 3D preview updates live.
- 3Export STL or GLB or OBJSTL comes out watertight and 100 mm wide, ready for your slicer.
Tips for better results
- Use an 8-bit or 16-bit greyscale PNG. Colour images are converted to brightness.
- Lower depth for gentle hills, raise it for mountains.
Working with terrain data
- Elevation exports from GIS tools are often 16-bit. They work here, but are reduced to 8-bit brightness, so very subtle slopes may show steps.
- Exaggerate vertical scale for printed terrain: real landscapes look flat at desk-model size, so 2–5× is common.
- Water bodies in DEMs are often flat or have no data. Check the edges of lakes for spikes.
- Game-engine heightmaps (Unity, Unreal, World Machine) usually export square images, which give square terrain tiles here.
Questions
- Do I need to sign up to try it?
- No. The preview runs in your browser without an account. You only need a plan to download the result.
- Is my file private?
- Yes. Processing happens on your device. Nothing is uploaded unless you save a result to your account.