2D and 3D Map With Braille Key in Onshape

I made a 2D digitally drawn map of the school campus as well as a 3D relief model in Onshape, which includes a Braille key. This project can be used to visualize the buildings their sizes relative to each other, as well as the different routes possible to take on campus and distances. The use of Braille allows for increased accessibility, along with the 3D model. The 2D portion of the project can be easily sent digitally, as well as printed out and shared with others in a physical copy.

Mapping system (Apple Maps), Procreate, Onshape, 3D Printer (Bambu), Filament

Using a mapping software, such as Google or Apple maps, I took a complete screenshot of where I had decided to draw and model, making sure that every building I had planned to draw and model was included in the picture, as well as taking both a slightly angled view as well as a straight on view in order to see their locations relative to each other.

Using the “Import an Image” feature, I was able to move the image into Procreate, where I then sketched over it, colored, and rendered the drawing, as well as adding a key and labels with Procreate’s text features.

Onshape is most accessible for this step, as it is free and an easily found website without prior downloading. I find it easiest to do this step on the computer with a mouse. To import the screenshot, I found it easiest to first convert my drawing into a PNG, and then using an online converter to convert it into an SVG. Importing the SVG through my files into Onshape in a separate document, and then creating another for my future model, I was able to “Create a Sketch” and then select the Onshape document of the image.

Using the “Sketch” function and the 2 point rectangle and spline tools, I was able to sketch out the bases of the buildings, using the imported screenshot/drawing as my surface, creating more accurate distances between the buildings in the model.

Using construction blueprints as well as a bit of intuition, I was able to extrude (Using the “Extrude” tool) all heights of buildings to be the correct height relative to each other.

In order for all the buildings to be printed in one model, a shared base must be created. This can be done easily by using the screenshot/drawing layer as the surface and sketching your desired base shape, then extruding in the opposite direction to your buildings/landmarks.

I used the “Braille Surface Text” Feature Script by roman-jurt190 to automatically transfer English into Braille text onto the model, placing labels near or on the buildings and creating a extended key coming out of the base. I first saved a copy of the Onshape document into my files, and then imported the tool. To use the feature script, I typed in the chosen text into the prompted blanks and selected my preferred alignment, using the u, v alignment system to specify a location.

To detail my buildings, I added roofs to the buildings as well as pillars and overhangs, again by using the “Sketch” tool and choosing the surface I wanted to detail, then either extruding or removing my preferred distance.

Using a Bambu printer and filament and scaling my model to the desired size depending on the size of printer, I was able to get my model printed out!