How To

Installation
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  • Download Blender from blender.org (Version 5.1 or higher)
  • Download the Latest version of the Addon
  • Open Blender and go to Edit → Preferences → Add-ons
  • Edit Preferences in Blender
  • Popup opens. Go to Add-ons, click on the arrow on the top right, "Install from disk" and select the Addon you downloaded
Getting your GPX File
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  • Open the activity tracking app where your route is saved (e.g. Strava, Komoot, Garmin Connect, AllTrails)
  • Navigate to the activity or route you want to turn into a 3D map
  • Look for an Export or Download option. usually in the activity's settings or three-dot menu
  • Select Export GPX and save the .gpx file to your computer
Basic Map Generation
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  • Inside blender, the TrailPrint3D panel is located in the 3D Viewport sidebar
  • Press N to toggle the sidebar open, then click the TrailPrint3D tab
  • Click the folder icon next to File Path and select your .gpx file
  • Set an Export Path. this is the folder where your files will be saved after generation
  • Adjust the settings to your liking (see the sections below for details on each setting)
  • Click Generate and wait for the process to complete. generation time depends on resolution and map complexity
  • Once done, your files will appear in the export folder, ready to open in your slicer
Map Shape & Size
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  • Use the Shape dropdown to choose the outline of your map. options include hexagon, square, circle, and more
  • Set the Object Size in millimeters. this is the physical size of the final printed map (e.g. 100 = 100 mm)
  • The map is automatically scaled and centered around your route regardless of the shape chosen
Resolution & Quality
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  • The Resolution setting controls the detail level of the terrain mesh. higher values produce more precise elevation detail
  • Recommended range: 6–8 for a good balance between quality and generation time
  • Lower values (4–5) are useful for quick previews before committing to a final render
  • A resolution of 7 can take longer to generate so be patient and do not close Blender while it runs
  • For most prints, a value of 7 is sufficient and generates in a reasonable time
Elevation Scale & Path Settings
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  • Elevation Scale is a multiplier applied to the real-world elevation data:
  • Increase it for flat routes (e.g. coastal or city rides) to make the terrain more visually interesting
  • Decrease it for very steep or alpine routes to prevent extreme height differences that are hard to print
  • A value of 1.0 represents true-to-life proportions
  • Path Thickness controls the thickness of the route line on the map surface
  • Path Scale sets the scale of the path relative to the object size.)/li>
  • e.g. 1 = Trail is as big as the map. 0.5 = Trail is about half the size of the map and shows more of the terrain around it
Map Elements (Water, Forests, Cities)
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  • TrailPrint3D automatically fetches map data from OpenStreetMap to generate environmental elements around your route
  • Water: lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water are generated as raised or recessed areas on the map
  • Forests: wooded areas are included as a distinct surface layer
  • Cities & Settlements: urban areas are represented on the map
  • Element generation works best in well-mapped regions.remote or rural areas may have less OSM data available
  • You can select from 3 ways to handle the Elements:
  • PaintOnMap: Paints the elements directly onto the map surface. Quality is depending on the Map resolution
  • SeparateObjects: Exports each element as a separate file
  • SingleColorMode: Generates each element as a separate file with cutouts in the map so you can print each object separately and assemble them afterwards
  • INFO!: If the map gets too big some elements may no longer work. for a map that covers 100km its too much for the API and for blender to fetch every single forest structure
Single Color Mode
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  • There are 2 diffrent options for the SingleColorMode. one for the Trail and one for the Elements
  • You can enable the SingleColorMode for the Trail and still choose to paint the elements onto the map
  • You can set the Tolerance for the SingleColorMode in the advanced options -> Map. (Default for Trail: 0.2, Default for Elements: 0.4)
    • INFO!: Buildings and Roads are not compatible with SingleColorMode currenlty
Contour Lines
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  • Contour lines trace elevation bands across the terrain, similar to a traditional topographic map
  • Enable them in the Advanced Options -> Post-processing
  • Thickness:controls how thick each contour line ridge is on the surface
  • Distance:sets the elevation interval between lines (e.g. every 2 mm)
  • Offset:starting height of the Contour Lines
  • Select your map and then click on "Add Contour Lines". After that manually export the Contour line object
    • >
Exporting files
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  • After Generating a Map, Files are exported automatically to your Export folder
  • INFO: in the Addon preferences you can set a Default export path so you don't have to specify it each time
  • If you do any mannual changes or post-processing features you have to export it manually in the Advanced -> Export tab
  • There are 3 Diffrent File export options available
  • STL: Exports each object as a STL file. You have to color them manually in your slicer as STL files dont contain Color information
  • .OBJ: Exports each object as a .OBJ file. This format contains color information and is needed if you painted the elements onto the map
  • It also comes with a .MTL file. dont separate these two files. the .MTL file holds the color data
  • .3mf Exports all objects as a single .3mf file. It contains color data, relative position and it automatically grouped
  • It requires the 3mf Addon by Clonephaze. you can install it directly from the Export tab and once installed its the Default export option
Import to Slicer
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  • Import the exported file(s) from your export folder
  • STL: Select all STL files together. The slicer will ask you if you want to view those files as a single object. Hit yes. otherwise they wont have the correct position to each other
  • .OBJ: Same as STL. additionally, a window will popup allowing you to assing filaments to the colors
  • .3mf: Import the single .3mf file — colors and grouping are all preserved automatically. The groups are overlapping so rearrange them
  • Info: Set the Wall-generator in your slicer to Arachne for better results when printing in multiple colors (less gaps between them)
PREMIUM Multi-Generation
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  • Multi-Generation allows you to load multiple GPX files and combine them into a single map
  • Click the folder icon and then select a Folder that contains all the .GPX files you want to put onto the map
  • Perfect for multi-day hikes, a season of rides, or any collection of routes in the same area
  • Compatible with the SingleColorMode
PREMIUM Map Puzzles
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  • These features are found in the Advanced -> Special tab.
  • Select one of the Special shapes, and Hit generate to generate it with your Current Trail and settings
  • Jigsaw Puzzle:converts your map into interlocking puzzle pieces with a single click; compatible with Multi-Generation maps
  • Sliding Puzzle:generates a sliding tile puzzle version of your map, Print-in-place!
  • All advanced objects are generated at the correct scale and require no manual resizing