I’ve wanted to try to add light to a layered map for a while. I had seen other examples where they used an LED light strip around the outside directing the light inward. I thought I’d try something different, and use LED stand-off as an alternative option. I got a commission to do a custom local map, and finally got to try this method. This post will show you how I used LED stand-offs to light up a custom, laser cut layered bathymetric map.
I use Adobe Illustrator as my design tool when creating the vector lines for a layered map. Unfortunately, there are no publicly available sources of bathymetric data for Wisconsin lakes that would let me automate this. I have to use Wisconsin DNR maps, and trace the lake levels manually in Illustrator, which is very tedious. This lake ended up being 10 Layers of Baltic birch, and 1 extra layer of clear acrylic for the water line. This specific lake had enough layers to make it thick enough to hide all the wiring and connectors for the LED stand-off inside.
I used 4 LED standoffs from Outwater.com in my design, and created channels in the wood to direct all the wiring to a chamber in the map to connect the power and wiring hub. There was enough room in there to stuff all the wiring without having to trim the excess and solder the wires back together. Each layer was glued to the next, and the standoffs acted as a guide to ensure each layer lined up properly. Finish nails were used to help keep everything together.
The pictures don’t do it justice, and this turned out better than I could have imagined. To get the glow around the lakes and islands, I had to engrave the lake level into the acrylic so the light would catch. Originally, I was going to put a frame around the map, but seeing the blue glow on the outside was an unexpected bonus, and chose to leave it as is. I will definitely be using this method for future bathymetric maps!
So you want a Glowforge more than ever. I’m happy to answer your questions, and I’ve mentored a number of new Glowforge users to help get them started. If you’d like to use my referral code, I’d be delighted and use the credits to buy more Proofgrade materials for future creations. I’ve added a contact form here if you’d like to ask anything I haven’t covered. You’ll love owning a Glowforge!
Here is my Glowforge referral code and link: TBPLHPFL
