Map Maker · 5 minute guide
Map Maker: City & Relief Contour Maps
Combine OpenStreetMap geometry with topographic or NOAA-backed bathymetric contours, then export separated cut-and-engrave layers.
What this tutorial covers
- Search, frame, and generate a laser-ready city map from real OpenStreetMap data.
- Style per-layer streets, water, parks, and rail as engrave or cut lines.
- Add topographic, bathymetric, or combined contours with source and coverage metadata.
- Engrave a custom title and the location coordinates onto the piece.
- Export named layer groups (SVG / .lbrn2) that LightBurn separates automatically.
Validate the workflow on your machine
Treat the finished file as a controlled starting point, not a universal machine recipe. Confirm the artwork dimensions after import, verify focus and lens selection, and run a small test on scrap from the same material batch before committing the production piece. Change one variable at a time when tuning speed, power, frequency, line interval, or pass count. Record the machine, source wattage, lens, material finish, focus method, and final settings with the saved job. That short production note makes the result repeatable for the next operator and prevents a strong screen preview from being mistaken for a proven burn.