topic Re: Convert Raster (DEM) to .STL for 3d Printing in Data Management Questions

Convert Raster (DEM) to .STL for 3d Printing

PatrickHagge — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 00:15:13 GMT

I'm not sure if this is a geoprocessing question or a data management question, but I need to convert a basic raster (DEM of state resampled/clipped down to the exact state borders) to an STL file type for 3d printing. I have zero experience with 3d printing, but after trying all sorts of workarounds online last week -- including installing QGIS which claims to have a DEM to STL that added lots of extra space around my border -- I am just about to give up. Surely there is some arctoolbox function or script that I can use to work from DEM --> STL that preserves my non-rectangular state border from the DEM? The TIN function looks horrific, by the way, so that one is out. This may be the most basic question, but again, I have no experience at all with STL 3d print files. Also, I have all possible extensions & the advanced ArcInfo license so if ArcGIS has it, surely I can access it. Thanks in advance~