Importing/creating streetmap data into Sketchup

miikka1978

Do you know if there is any simple way or extension to import streetmap data into Sketchup?

I would like to create a wireframe (centerline of each road) out of this map. Before tracing all the roads I wanted to check if there are any tools/extension/workflows to make it easier than just tracing all the roads with pen tool?

My target is to 3D print the road network and I have been using/testing SVG import but when doing this I am not able to control the width of the road that needs to be exact width to have a nice and clean 3D print.

Rich O Brien

Try Qgis: https://qgis.org/

It has an extensive plugin ecosystem for map creation and 3D exporting

miikka1978

I am getting back to this topic. Qgis seemed to be quite some work to lear so I have been trying to use Inkscape for the purpose. My workflow has been:

Create an road/street/coastline/water network image with external mapping solution
Import the image to Inkscape for tracing the lines (center lines)
Export the traced map in dxf format and import this to Sketchup as dxf

Has anybody else been using similar workflow (Inkscape + dxf export/import)? Do you have the same prblem with lines not connected or have you been able to solve this in Inscape or Sketchup, see below images?

DXF import to Sketchup:
DXF Import_1.png

Problem with lines not connected:
DXF Import_2.png

Rich O Brien

Try this: https://map2model.com/

You can control all manor of things

miikka1978

@Rich-O-Brien Thanks for the suggestion.

I noticed this tool few weeks ago and this would be perfect for "tracing roads" because you can define the road width separately. Unfortunately I have not found a way to include coast line in this tool and the water/sea areas are not properly defined. Hopefully this tool will be even further developed.