Introduction

Blender can be used to create contours from terrain and export them in a vector format (SVG). A vector file can be used to cut materials using a laser, CNC, or plasma cutter. It can also be post processed in programs like Inkscape to produce 2d art and maps. Blender does this by rendering using the Freestyle function.

Download Mt Taranaki.zip to use for this tutorial.

Apply Modifiers and Extrude the Terrain

1. Apply any modifiers applied to the model. If you have more than one then start from the top of the stack.
   
2. RMB to select model.
   
3. TAB into Edit mode.
4. If no vertices are selected press A to select all.
   
   In Blender A toggles between select all and select none.
5. Press E to extrude and move the mouse down until the vertices are below the red line (0 on the Y axis)
   
6. Press S, Z, 0, then ENTER
   
   This scales the vertices on the Z axis by 0% to give the model a flat bottom. This is optional but useful if you want a flat base for 3d printing or cutting.

Add Plane

1. SHIFT A > M >> P
   Add >> Mesh >> Plane.
2. S >> SHIFT Z >> 10000 >> ENTER

Add Array Modifier

1. Add  Array modifier.
2. Uncheck Relative Offset.
3. Check Constant Offset.
4. In the Z field type 100m (or your preferred contour distance).
   
5. Increase the count to 30 (or the top of your terrain)
6. M >> 2 >> ENTER
   Move >> Layer 2
   

Add Boolean Modifier

1. RMB select the terrain.
2. Add  Boolean modifier.
3. Choose the plane we created above.
   

Add Camera

1. Press Z to enter Wireframe mode.
2. Press 7 on the numeric keypad to change to Top view.
3. SHIFT A >> R to add a camera.
   
4. Press 3 on the numeric keypad to change to Right view.
5. LMB DRAG the camera above the terrain by the blue Z axis manipulator arrow.
   

Configure the Render Settings

1. Click on in Properties.
   
2. Change the resolution to square dimensions (or your preferred aspect ratio). 2000px x 2000px at 100%.
   
3. Choose a location for exporting the SVG file.
   
4. Check  and .

Export by Rendering

Press F12 to render. This will export the file to the path above.

Troubleshooting

You may see some straight lines in odd places. These can be deleted in your vector graphics software, e.g. Inkscape:-


On export you may find some contours need to be closed:-

Converting 3d meshes to vectors is mathematically complex. You may get some joy in playing with the Freestyle settings. This is a known problem. In Inkscape:-

1. Select all paths CTRL A
2. Combine CTRL K them into a single object.
3. Switch to Edit paths by nodes F2
4. CTRL A select all the nodes
5. Join selected nodes SHIFT J.
   If your computer grinds to a halt doing this then try again but select a smaller number of paths to combine and join in batches.

If you don't see anything on your screen when you render that may be because you have given your terrain any colour, not made it shadeless, nor placed lights. Open the exported file anyway and you will find that the lines are there.... they just didn't show in Blender because black lines on a black background are invisible.