[IMG-0845] [IMG-0843] [IMG-0848] I’ve fished the same lake over 30 years, but always used a 2D paper map, or 2D fishing app with the depth rings (bathometric map). Then I decided to get that map 3D rendered, and cut it out with my avid cnc! Following the old adage: if it’s worth doing, it’s wor…

This is fanatstic! So let me see if I get this… You essentially made your own plywood!?

I love the topo line idea. If someone did a lake in a mountainous area, it would be cool to use walnut for topo lines underwater and switch to maple for the topo lines above water, or vice versa. Please tell me you had a vacuum press!

I’ve seen a few projects like this. It’s a wonderful idea to have accurate depth lines represented with the topo map. Great work!

@Stephen - Gracious I wish I had a vacuum press. I do have a hearty stack of pipe clamps, so I got a real workout in for sure!! Vacuum would have been ton better/more sane, agreed.

Hey @Eric , thanks! Yes, each walnut veneer layer represented 5 feet of depth, so you can actually get a semi accurate reading from it! The Z-axis was exaggerated with respect to the x and y though, since the lake is over a mile long. Otherwise the 3D model would look super flat & boring, imo! So I …

Thanks so much @Petricore ! It’s meant to hang on the wall, but if I could make an itty bitty version it would be really cool and helpful to bring in the boat! :slight_smile:

@Stephen I also really love the idea to have the depth maybe walnut 5mm with maple veneer bathymetric layers, and then above ground maple 5mm layers with walnut topographic layers. That is a killer idea…!

First of all. Awesome work. It’s frankly beautiful!! Second. Your first project!.!.!.! Mine was a vcarve of the Marine EGA. I feel so inadequate. Great work. I need to step up my game.

Thanks for your kindness! I think you were by far smarter, starting with something a bit less aggressive! I’ve done mostly simpler things since then, except a wooden geared clock I may post about later! What else have you been creating?

I made a sign for a YouTuber. Matthew Peech. Has a bunch of epoxy work etc I made the whole jaybates meiter saw station but I used the cnc to make all the cuts for the cabinets. Was fun. I have only had my machine set up since last November.

3D Lake Depth Map (actually helped me find new fav fishing spots!)

Projects

SMdesign October 19, 2022, 9:44pm 13

This is the sign I made. He wanted a rustic look.

Topic		Replies	Views
Small project with large results Projects	6	352	July 14, 2025
Topomiller for making terrain reliefs	9	251	December 11, 2025
Salad Bowl - Deep Inlay - "Concept 1" Projects	10	457	July 13, 2023
Hexagon Salad Bowl with Epoxy Projects	4	325	October 14, 2023
First topo/laser result Projects	6	240	November 28, 2024

3D Lake Depth Map (actually helped me find new fav fishing spots!)

Related topics