Multi-layer Map of Hyrule - Laser Engraved and Painted

https://youtu.be/JjCmDiDG_0s

I have been working on and off on this project since I got my Glowforge in February. I got the inspiration for this build after seeing the work of Quinton McCain. He made a super high-resolution version of Hyrule from Breath of the Wild and it blew me away. I knew I needed one for myself.

This project took around 8 hours to cut/engrave and about 4 days to hand paint.

Go support him and his amazing work here. He also posted his work on Reddit if anyone is interested- He has high-resolution files available

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Supplies:

• Glowforge Laser Cutter - If you have ever considered a Glowforge, I cannot recommend mine enough. Here is my Glowforge Referral Link so you can save up to $500: https://glowforge.us/r/DSKCNJZL
• Glowforge Proofgrade Materials - 1 Sheet of Walnut Plywood and 1 Sheet of Maple Plywood
• Vallejo Model Paints
• Super Glue
• Extra Fine Tip Paint Markers
• Paint brushes
• Gimp (Photoshop)
• Inkscape (Illustrator)
• Sketching Software (iPad - Sketchbook) with an Apple pencil or any alternative

Step 1: Find a Reference Photo and Isolate Your Layers

While I am experienced in Photoshop and Illustrator, sometimes it's just easier to trace things out, especially when you want to Identify many different layers.

For this project, I took my reference piece into Sketchbook on my iPad and traced out the following layers. By doing this, I was able to make a sandwich of Isolated engraves/cuts:

• Main Ground layer
• Top Layer Details
• Top Layer Cut Specific Outline
• Water
• Locations
• Roads

After drawing them out in Sketchbook on my iPad, I saved the document as a .PSD (Photoshop Document), and I brought it into Gimp and isolated each layer before bringing it into Inkscape.

• For more directions on how I move files from Gimp to Inkscape and convert to high-resolution BitMap layers, Check out our instructable on the Breath of the Wild - Calamity Ganon Tapestry. We have step by step instructions for making your file as clean as possible for laser cutting!

Step 2: Prepare Your Files, Grab Your Ear Protection, and Start the Up the Laser

By using the same selection box on each layer, I copied and pasted the files over to Inkscape and converted them to BitMap.

• For more directions on how I move files from Gimp to Inkscape and convert to high-resolution BitMap layers, Check out our instructable on the Breath of the Wild - Calamity Ganon Tapestry. We have step by step instructions for making your file as clean as possible for laser cutting!

Once I had all the layers converted to bitmap, I made them all of different colors (for my laser to understand they were separate steps) and placed them in their order on top of each other.

• Typically, I prefer to line up all my individual pieces and move them in the Glowforge software as needed but for this build, I needed complete alignment accuracy.
• The best way to guarantee alignment on a Glowforge is to pre-align all the layers in Inkscape.

Laser Settings:

• Base Layer - Water Engrave
  • Power: 80%
  • Focus Height: .125
• Base Layer - Roads, Words, and Detail Engrave
  • Power: 100%
  • Focus Height: .125
• Top Layer - Roads, Words, and Detail Engrave
  • Power: 100%
  • Focus Height: .125

Step 3: Paint a Bunch of Sections

Clean out the engraves with a soft bristle brush.Painting Time:

• Start painting on all the water sections using blue paint.
  • Dry brush the edges where the water meets the land with a light dusting of white paint.
• Using Gold paint, paint in all the writing on the map.
• Use Tan paint to outline all the edge banding around the areas near water.
• Using watered down black paint, lightly tint the caverns sections to show depth.

Step 4: Peel and Glue a Punch of Sections

• Removed the masking tape from the areas where the second layer needs to be glued down too.
• Use the remnant of the top layer as a guide to glue the top layer pieces down in the correct spots.
  • Almost like a puzzle piece
• Glue the second layer pieces down
• Remove all the tape on the piece

Step 5: Finish Painting All Those Happy Little Trees

• Using either paint and a brush or fine tip paint pens, start painting in all the tree details.
• Make note of the coloring on the map.
  • There are different color trees in different areas. Noting these seasonal changes can help add more dimension to your piece.

Step 6: Show It Off to Your Friends

After 8 hours of laser cutting and 4 days of painting, hang this bad boy on your wall and enjoy!

If you have access to a laser and the ability to do this project, I cannot recommend it enough. This piece is beautiful and I am so happy I took the time and effort to make it happen,

Have fun and go make something awesome!

Nicole C. - WhenGeeksCraft