Personal Project
Pittsburgh Topology Catch-all Tray
At a Glance
A functional desk accessory inspired by Pittsburgh’s landscape. This 3D-printed catch-all tray translates the city’s hills and three rivers into a tactile topographic surface, combining GIS terrain data with product-focused design to create a clean, durable tray for everyday use.
Inspiration from Thingiverse Tray
This project was inspired by simple catch-all tray designs found on Thingiverse, where clean geometry and everyday function take priority. Seeing how small design choices could turn a basic tray into a polished object motivated me to explore the format further, using Pittsburgh’s topography to add a location-specific and personal layer to the design.
TouchTerrain Exported STL File based on USGS data
The base geometry for this project was generated using TouchTerrain, which converts USGS digital elevation data into printable 3D models. This provided an accurate topographic foundation that was later refined in CAD for scale, thickness, and everyday usability.
STL Mesh used as Guide for CAD on Fusion360
The exported STL mesh was used as a reference guide within Fusion 360, where it informed the overall form and proportions of the final design. Rather than directly printing the raw mesh, the terrain geometry was refined through CAD to add consistent thickness, clean edges, and functional details suited for everyday use.
3D Printer Final Product
The finalized design was produced using a FDM 3D printing, allowing the fine topographic details to be physically realized with minimal tooling. The process enabled rapid iteration and material efficiency while preserving the layered texture of the terrain, resulting in a durable, tactile object suited for daily use.
