ABOUT EVENT

This workshop will cover how to turn elevation data from NOAA into a 3D-printable physical model using Python with no prior GIS, 3D modeling, or Blender experience needed. By the end of the workshop you’ll have generated your own STL file of Hilo Bay, Hawaii as well as a colored FBX file that can be sent directly to a 3D printer or uploaded to Sketchfab to view digitally. Attendees will set up an Anaconda environment, process NOAA elevation data, generate a 3D mesh STL file of Hilo Bay, apply color maps in Blender, and export a print-ready colored model.

Prerequisites

• Github account: https://github.com/g-mccoy/3dModel
• Download Anaconda: https://www.anaconda.com/download
• Download Blender: https://www.blender.org/download/
• Download 3D Builder (free windows app) or PrusaSlicer (mac)
• Download environment.yml and .ipynb file from github
• Python experience is helpful, but not necessary.
• I recommend bringing a mouse to make working in Blender easier.

Optional:

• Download QGIS (I will briefly go over how to view DEM data tiles in QGIS to determine which data to download and coordinates to restrict to. Walking through QGIS may be helpful if you wish to replicate the model elsewhere, but is not vital to completing this workshop.)

Learning Objectives

By the end of this workshop, the goal is for attendees to be able to:

• Process NOAA elevation data using Python
• Generate a 3D mesh from a point cloud and export it as an STL file
• Import and work with STL files in Blender
• Apply elevation-based color gradients and map textures in Blender
• Produce a finished, visually compelling 3D model ready for printing or presentation

Tools Used

• Anaconda / Jupyter Notebook
• GDAL
• NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib
• numpy-stl
• Blender
• GitHub
• NOAA Digital Coast
• Microsoft 3D Builder (Windows) or Meshmixer (Mac)
• Sketchfab
• QGIS