Make BIG Money - How to Make the Easiest 3D Laser Cut Map!

Looking for a unique and profitable business idea? Learn how to make personalized laser cut 3D city maps in this step-by-step tutorial video. With just a few materials and tools, you can create stunning 3D maps of any city or location, and sell them for a huge profit.
In this video, we'll guide you through the process of designing, preparing, and cutting your own personalized 3D maps using a laser cutter. You'll learn everything from selecting the right materials and tools to creating your own designs and patterns.
Whether you're looking to start a new business, add a new product line to your existing business, or just make some extra cash on the side, this video will give you all the tips and tricks you need to get started. So grab your laser cutter and let's get started on making personalized laser cut 3D city maps!
Stuff We Used:
50 watt OMTech Polar Desktop Laser: omtechlaser.com?sca_ref=2987683.F5PAdxWPrZ
Coupon Code: KANDGMAKEIT5OFF
100 watt Laser: amzn.to/3ooHWV6
StarBond Glue: kandgmakeit.com/collections/p...
FIFO Paint Bottles: kandgmakeit.com/collections/p...
Sponge Paint Roller: kandgmakeit.com/collections/p...
1/4 inch MDF Boards: kandgmakeit.com/collections/p...
SVGs and DIY Unfinished Kits: kandgmakeit.com/
www.amazon.com/shop/kimandgar...
Follow us on social:
- Patreon: www.patreon.com/user?u=16643484
- Instagram: / kandgmakeit
- Facebook: / kandgmakeit
We love to Do It Ourselves. You love to Do It Yourself. Let's Do It Together. New DIY Videos Every Week!
Visit our website:
- www.kandgmakeit.com/
FYI: We are not professionals, and we don't claim to be. This is what we found worked for our project. Yours may need a little different approach. We have just enough woodworking skill to make some basic furniture. Safety first!
FTC Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored video. All opinions are genuinely our own. This post may contain affiliate links and we earn a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. It doesn't cost you any extra. Thank you for your continued support to keep Making It!

[@joepie221]

I just got my first laser and can really appreciate what you guys just did. From a fellow KZbinr....Very nice. Liked and sub'd. Stay well.

[@auroraw23]

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this video! Thank you so much for such great information!

[@kernow-alan]

Hey, Garrett+ Kim, here In the UK, thank you so much for this excellent turorial that i think covers all. I use a diffrent process for creating maps, however your aproach to the Ilistrator tutorial etc helped me so much. Thank you

[@cuttinupwithcourt]

Love this, I didn't realize I was so close to you guys. I will have to check you out at a local market or pop up when you do one.

[@RaplimNaim]

I'm so excited to try making the laser cut map! Can't wait to see how it turns out! 😊

[@patriciaroush1686]

That is so cool! Would make a awesome gift.

[@Fancylooks]

Very interesting idea, thank you for sharing!

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Of course!

[@mikekemp.5240]

Thank you :) And Greetings from Germany 😎👍

[@mattl727]

I'm in Virginia Beach! I just got my glowforge from a buddy and it's crazy the stuff you can do with a laser

[@senseinathan1]

hi guys, loving the videos. they are definitely the most informative. How do we make the design rectangular, I'm totally new to illustrator and haven't figured it out yet. Thank you

[@kevinlj182]

Thank you for your video, I like it!

[@pegeggeggleston4315]

Hi Kim and Garrett - What a great idea. I can see this as a big moneymaker once you have the process down. You are both getting craftier and craftier. Thanks for sharing and continued success. I'm just about ready to go "beeeee crazy". Love PegEgg

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Thanks Peg Egg!!! I can't wait to see what you do with them!

[@pasteef234]

I like the arm action. Captivating.

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! ~garrett

[@Buchtic26]

Awesome tutorial ❤

[@mobasti_7262]

that looks nice, great job! Are you also using adobe illustrator alternatives?

[@rudolfowalchonzo2356]

great. Thank you

[@phototec]

Great video. Where did you find the Average Cutting settings for Baltic Birch of Various Thickness, can you share a link? Thanks

[@user-cb1kj6ix7r]

Thank you for sharing. I've been working on one for West Palm Beach. Any suggestions on how to do Rectangle around the cut for land? Thank you!

[@trevoratkison5074]

If you’re using Inkscape you can modify the water vectors so they cut around land and roads, rather than through. You basically divide the vector and run it parallel to the road rather than through it.

[@grim789]

If your using light burn or xtool software just use the shape the square and make a square around it for the cut.

[@lei00418]

I have been putting off searching your videos for this. I though nahh Kim anf Garrett didnt put one of these out. So i searched the main home page and here you both are once agai n pulling through Mvp

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

We got your back! No need to search around, just head straight to the main home page and we'll always be there with fresh content for you. You're the MVP! We are always looking for ideas, so if you don't see it email us. [e-mail]

[@tommalchert416]

love the maps

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Thanks!

[@bostongirl9901]

love your videos! Where do you buy big sheets of baltic birch, I'm in New England and can't find it at Lowes or Home Depot! I really want to try making these to give as Christmas gifts!

[@bobpaulin3920]

You have to find it online Amazon has some

[@grahamclements-turner1148]

Big hello to you both from East Yorkshire UK..New to your channel and it’s incredible, your enthusiasm lights my world. The parameters doc looks really useful, can you please point me in the right direction where I can find it.

[@secobaairways4585]

You must be in a really dark place if this lights your world.

[@dawnwelch7653]

Love your hair Kim!

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Thanks Dawn! Dirty hair = Crazy hair! 🤣

[@deannabrown5196]

Are there other options to use besides illustrator? I’m new to this and don’t know how to use that.. thank you

[@JayTee135]

How did you get the islands in the river in place? Did you eyeball it? I noticed painters tape on the map - was that holding them in place? I made a copy of the islands and pasted them in place on the backer board to be engraved so I know where to place them. I think it should work.

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Yeah, I just eyeballed it for the first one and we did the exact same thing with the score marks for the next few we made. Thans JayTee!!! ~garrett

[@cottreda]

Hey guys. This is really cool. I got inspired and went out there and created a map. But I am not seeing any option to download an image. Has something changed?

[@Pkillur]

It's on the top left-hand side of the 'map' area of snazzymaps. You have to log in to see it.

[@lindyblades1913]

I just paid someone to make me one last week because the last video I watched was much more complicated! Thank you for this!

[@13hubi13]

Have you sold alot?

[@tracywilliams61]

Great tutorial

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Thanks so much!

[@victoriacarpenter8037]

Hey Kim and Garrett. Is there a way to do this without Adobe?

[@13hubi13]

Did you find out anything if its possible with some freeware?

[@francisbrady2739]

How did you get your local roads to cut as a single line? Mine alway from closed loops

[@daddyofthree1983]

Is there a video showing how you frame them?

[@robertambroziak6605]

Very nice

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Thank you Robert!

[@mojo2613]

I was so excited when I first saw this as I've been wanting to do this. But I quickly got lost as I don't have or know Adobe illustrator. Maybe if I watch again on a larger screen I can understand what you're doing. Do you know of any other software that you could do this with? Would ImagR work? Really nicely done!

[@memories4gifts-li5mk]

I have that same question I do not use AI either so another program?

[@SkittsMcGee]

I found a video of a man using Inkscape and another using Lightburn

[@mojo2613]

@@SkittsMcGee That would make sense of all you're doing is separating layers of an SVG. But I got lost as to what was happening and probably need to watch on a larger screen to follow it. Thanks for the info!

[@jf6720]

@@memories4gifts-li5mk just download separate layers for each level. Just be sure and make everything the same size or you will adjust them later to make them all line up.

[@jf6720]

@@mojo2613 just download separate layers for each level. Just be sure and make everything the same size or you will adjust them later to make them all line up.

[@scotthamel7928]

That's too confusing for me but turned out amazing. Need 1 for Cincinnati and Covington area

[@myhoneyshandmade1077]

Did you still need some made? I may be able to help.

[@trevoratkison5074]

It’s not too bad to make once you dive in. I’m sure lots of us would be willing to help you out if you needed.

[@jlauck12]

We’re you find the chart with the speeds and power at?

[@Truecrimequeen68]

Great idea 😂

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Thanks Laura!

[@manipanko9877]

How did you learn to do all that stuff with the software. I'm totally new to all of it

[@sannyassi73]

The way I learned was by watching Tutorials. It is time consuming to learn this stuff.

[@iknowcraig]

there is no option to download for me on snazzy maps, has anyone else had this issue? thanks

[@andrewwesley4481]

For some reason Snazzy Maps no longer seems to have a download button where you show it in the video. Any advice?

[@andrewsnook8168]

Good tutorial! I was happily following along, but unfortunately it seems like Snazzy Maps no longer allows you to download images for some reason. Not in their FAQ either, which was strange. I ended up just taking a screen shot of my map though, and I was able to vectorize that in Ai.

[@CD_DESIGNS]

i tried the select same to try and hide layers not working for me very confusing

[@derekhawkinson4091]

Hey guys. So I do not have adobe illustrator but do have inscape. I am trying to follow what your doing but does not carry over to inscape. Any help would be great!!

[@13hubi13]

Same here, does it work with a free software too?

[@TheStijnw]

Don't know what im doing wrong. If i try to select al white things and it is not working.

[@ememeable]

Its really cool stuffings especially for turkeys Merry Christmas 🎁 not Halloween 🎃

[@user-ve7zr5ko5g]

In Lightburn - how does it work when you have the different layers next to each other?

[@dougshields549]

Lightburn only sees what is within the parameter box.

[@jf6720]

If you don't have a software program, you can just download separate layers.

[@antennasbc]

With that flat brim hat, you may have just gotten off the short bus. Nice work though.

[@kellyfazzio8962]

When you are selecting all the one 5:25 color how do you select all the one color and then hide it? Like how do you group them all together (I was selecting each one at a time but didn’t know what to do after that) & then hide it? I wish it was a step by step of it for someone just learning adobe. If I can just get past that part I’d be set! 😩

[@quizworld_official_YT]

I was stuck with the same but found the solution. When you do select -> same -> Appearance you will see blue dots on the right side of the each separate layer and to group them into one simply press cntrl+G on windows or cmd+G on the mac and thats it.

[@genesissamaracorredorovall8729]

@@quizworld_official_YT thankssss!!! i was stuck samestage

[@jeffreyb8928]

RVA!

[@janiwallin482]

Thanks for the video, it was educational. In return, I'll give you a hint: you have a laser engraver, so you can make the frames yourself.

[@WooderBoyProductions]

3 hour cut time on the laser? WOW.

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Yep, that's why they make the big bucksA

[@rossmackay1974]

This method no longer appears to work. There is no option to download the file, as far as I can see.

[@daughteroftime8047]

This is awesome, but i definitely wouldn't consider it easy. Thank you though.

[@retrogazele]

It's doesn't cost you 15 bucks per hour to run the machine . That's what you charge .. thats you profit .

[@munkie2003]

helps cover machine and running costs

[@tradtke101]

Now use AI to compose "Dark Stained Highway". My cassette tape player is ready. ❤

[@tonycip6844]

I like the video but you lost me at Adobe Illustrator. I think you do a lot more of the map separation in snazzy maps. or why wouldn't you show how to do it with some free software like Inkscape?

[@secobaairways4585]

Confusing and confused, it looks like it's the first time that you've ever done this and you're making it up as you go.

[@warrenjameson5465]

Can this be done using GIMP instead. $22.00 a month for Adobe Illustrator is way too much.

[@charleswilson2039]

Inkscape is like Ai and it’s free (GNU) like Gimp

[@Sam11747]

Too much arm action Garrett.

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

I tried to do less arms, but I am 50... I am who I am... Thanks for watching, Sam! ~garrett

[@Sam11747]

Is that code for KZbin telling you to do it@@KimandGarrettmakeit to boost your views?

[@TeddyFoyle]

The arm action is a lot. Makes me not want to watch the videos even though your content is good. I'm not coming for you just saying as a viewer its a big turn off to otherwise solid content.

[@hansdegroot8549]

@@KimandGarrettmakeit I seems you have too much energy. First go boxing for a few hours. Use a sack as a sparring partner so you don't get hurt. After that, take a hot bath and only after that start to make a video. I'm sure your arm movements will be less.

[@MrLelopes]

while nice, this is a wrong representation, not talking about scale or anything like that, but you should have higher layers for houses with the cut to show the streets above it and then, the very lowest point the river cause it is even lower than the streets/land level. Please do try it, it will make a much more interesting model

[@jf6720]

Are saying to cut out the street level also?

[@tgsparkyoriginal]

Wow…constant ads on Snazzy

[@jeffmastin]

I dont want to pay for illustrator. I am a beginner but i download seperate maps from snazzy for each layer by turning off geometry as appropriate - then trace in lightburn

[@StevenDavisPhoto]

$15/hr labor??? $15/hr for laser time??? That's way too low. These should start at $120-150 for the smaller ones.

[@tiotube7578]

How is this profitable. Work hours Input into the project is way too high. The amount you have to sell it for is just too high for people

[@sannyassi73]

Doing it regularly, in batches with a reasonably powered laser so the cutting goes quick. The time consuming part is creating the art/setting up the file for cutting, but the good part about that is you only have to set it up the first time- eventually you have a collection of files/projects and don't have to spend as much time on that part. I wouldn't pay what People do for these either, but People do though.

[@matthewunger6314]

Dude, chill with your hands. You guys make great content, but I guarantee you that you’re losing viewers because of your flailing.

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Hey, thanks for the comment! I try to keep our hands in check, but no promises. I get this comment all the time and I do try, but I forget once the camera turns on. Gotta let the passion flow, you know? ~garrett

[@harryscratch212]

Whenever I hear anyone begin their videos with "What Is Up" or "What's Up You Tubers" insists on wearing a stupid baseball cap while trying to emulate Krusty it's time to immediately hit the stop button and select Don't recommend channel. Bye.

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Thanks for the comment!

[@digitalman269]

Found you guys this morning and I've watched about 5 videos. Good content, but Garrett swinging his arms is a no go for me... There are other content creators out there. I'm out.

[@DH-ht9pl]

OH no please dont leave😢😢

[@rak6080]

Me too. Absolutely can't stand that/him!

[@Sinlatown]

Dude selling meth. I can swear, but I can't proove it!

[@KimandGarrettmakeit]

Don't get stuck on your own stash.... LOL

[@Sinlatown]

Yea I call ya later :p @@KimandGarrettmakeit

[@tommyseacat3580]

omg that guys fake antics are cringe worthy

[@Okispider]

why are you waving your arms around? can't take someone serious doing that

[@davecruz9893]

YOU STILL WITH THIS GUY ? YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT....

[@BlueGeckoLaser]

You do realize that Google maps are copyrighted, and you are telling thousands of people to violate copyright laws. The Snazzymap styles aren’t copyrighted but the maps you’re stealing are. There are legal sources to get these maps from if you did some research

[@gabe4933]

You would never in a million years be charged for using their image because it gets completely transformed into a different product. This is NOT illegal and has ZERO ties back to Google. You’re tripping.

[@longshotin05]

Look out! It's kopyright Karen!

[@BlueGeckoLaser]

Wow you justify stealing because they’ll never find out? What a winner you are buddy.

[@gabe4933]

@@BlueGeckoLaser Did you read my comment buddy?

[@durtymessycan]

Lol snitch