TopoStackGuides
Browse guides

Studio settings reference

Every control in the TopoStack studio, with its range, default and the output type it applies to.

Lengths are listed in millimeters; the studio shows inches when Imperial is selected. Layered or Flat marks a control that appears for one output type only. Controls marked Regenerate need Regenerate terrain before export; all others update the preview on their own. For how to use them, see the studio tour.

Project setup

ControlRange or optionsDefaultNotes
Project nameUp to 120 charactersCrater LakeAlso names exported files.
Output typeLayered, FlatLayered
LocationPlace search, coordinates, current location, surveyed lakes, example locationsCrater Lake, OregonRegenerate. Choosing a surveyed lake also selects Layered and turns on Water depth.
Map framePan, zoom and drag handles on the Map preview; Lock aspect ratioRegenerate when the area changes.

Cut size / Artwork size

ControlRange or optionsDefaultNotes
UnitsMetric, ImperialMetricDisplay only. SVG files always use millimeters.
Crop shapeRectangle, CircleRectangleA circle uses the width as its diameter.
WidthUp to 10,000 mm300 mmRegenerate if the aspect ratio changes.
HeightUp to 10,000 mm200 mmRectangle only. Regenerate if the aspect ratio changes.

Terrain layers / Contour design

ControlRange or optionsDefaultNotes
Vertical exaggeration1–10×, in 0.1 stepsLayered. Updates automatically and rounds to whole sheets, with a minimum of two and no upper layer cap. The studio shows the applied value.
Material thickness0.5–25 mm3 mmLayered. With exaggeration, sets the layer count.
Contour density4–40 lines12Flat. Lines across the elevation range.
Index contourEvery 2–10 lines5Flat. Every nth line is drawn heavier.

Map details

ControlRange or optionsDefaultNotes
RoadsOn, offOn
TrailsOn, offOn
Transportation labelsOn, offOffRoad and trail names.
Water outlinesOn, offOn
Water fillNone, Lines, Ripples, DotsNoneFlat, with water outlines on.
State / province boundariesOn, offOff
Latitude / longitude gridOn, offOff
Engraved borderOn, offOnFlat.
Water depthOn, offOnLayered. Carves lake and sea floors into the stack.
Depth exaggeration0.25–4×, in 0.05 stepsLayered, with water depth on. Relative to the terrain's vertical scale.
Limit depth layersOn, offOff (automatic)Layered. Automatic coverage adds depth sheets without compressing land relief.
Maximum depth layersPositive whole numberCurrent required depth sheets when enabledLayered. Explicit allowance below the lowest land; saved with the project.
Fit lake depth to available layersOn, offOffLayered. With an explicit depth-layer limit, compresses over-deep lakes into the allowance instead of flattening their floors.
Maximum depthPer lake, from 1 mPublished estimateLayered. Shown for modeled lakes with a depth estimate. Reset restores estimates.
Assembly guidesOn, offOnLayered. Alignment outlines and layer numbers.
Elevation labelsOn, offOn
Label X, Label Y−90 to 90%−55%, 55%Preferred position from the center.
North arrowOn, offOn
Compass designMinimal, Classic, MarinerClassic
Diameter12 mm to a limit set by the artwork size24 mm
PlacementNine positions from top left to bottom rightBottom right
Offset X, Offset Y−100 to 100%0%Reset offset returns to 0.
Scale barOn, offOn
FontTechnical, Rounded, StencilTechnicalUnder Text engraving.
Text size2–10 mm3.1 mmCapital-letter height.

Custom Data

ControlRange or optionsDefaultNotes
MarkersUp to 250; Pin, Circle, Triangle, Star, CrossNoneLatitude and longitude in decimal degrees; Size 1–200 mm (default 8 mm), shown in the selected units.
PathsUp to 250; Trail or Boundary; 2–2,000 points each, 10,000 in totalNoneEngraved even when built-in trails or boundaries are off.

Linework

Presets: Fine, Balanced (default) and Bold. Widths below are the Balanced values; each ranges from 0.05 to 1.5 mm.

ControlRange or optionsDefaultNotes
Minor contours0.05–1.5 mm0.16 mmFlat.
Index contours0.05–1.5 mm0.32 mmFlat.
Major roads0.05–1.5 mm0.38 mm
Local roads0.05–1.5 mm0.26 mm
Trails0.05–1.5 mm0.22 mm
Water0.05–1.5 mm0.3 mm
Boundaries0.05–1.5 mm0.24 mm
Lat / long grid0.05–1.5 mm0.16 mm
Road appearanceCenterline, OutlinedCenterlineApplies to major roads.
Outline spacing0.2–4 mm0.8 mmOutlined roads only.
Road endsRound, SquareRound
Trail patternSolid, Dashed, DottedDashed
Labels & guides0.05–1.5 mm0.2 mmText, north arrow, markers and assembly guides.
Border0.05–1.5 mm0.34 mmFlat.

Fabrication settings / Artwork settings

ControlRange or optionsDefaultNotes
Material-saving nestsOn, offOnLayered. Cuts upper layers from covered parts of lower sheets.
Smooth contoursOn, offOnRounds sharp corners on contour shapes.
Glue margin2–25 mm8 mmLayered, with nests on. Covered glue area kept around nested pieces.
Laser kerf0–1 mm0.15 mmLayered. Full kerf width; half is applied to each side of a cut.
Minimum feature0.2–5 mm0.8 mmPieces and holes narrower than this are removed, and contours are simplified at this scale.

Preview

ControlRange or optionsDefaultNotes
Preview modeMap, Cut layers, 3D stack (layered); Map, Engraving (flat)3D stackDoes not affect exports.
LayerAny generated layerLayered. Selects the sheet shown in Cut layers.
Stack–Exploded0–10.35Layered, 3D stack only.

Related pages

See export files for what each download contains and troubleshooting for warnings and blocked exports.

Create a topographic map