urban:EXPORT vs CadMapper vs TopoExport
Three web tools turn a place on the map into CAD and 3D files for architects. Here is how they differ — checked against each tool’s public website in November 2026. Prices and limits of other tools change; check their sites before buying.
| urban:EXPORT | CadMapper | TopoExport | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free use | 3 areas a day up to 5 km², every format, no account | Areas up to 1 km², account required | Free option available (see their site) |
| Largest area | 100 km² (square, circle or free rectangle) | 100 km² (premium files) | 50 km² |
| Paid areas | Credits from $5, no subscription; 20 km² = 12 credits, 100 km² = 28 credits; credits never expire | One-time fee per premium file, academic discount | See their site |
| Formats | DXF, SketchUp (DAE), Rhino 3DM, IFC (ArchiCAD, Revit), SVG, FBX, STL, satellite JPG | DXF, SketchUp, Rhino, Illustrator | DXF, OBJ, IFC, SVG, STL, PDF |
| Buildings | Official LOD2 roofs in the Netherlands, Switzerland, North Rhine-Westphalia and Japan (PLATEAU); elsewhere OpenStreetMap heights and roof shapes, gaps filled from Overture Maps (incl. China) | OpenStreetMap; heights in many locations | Official national data; LoD2 in Germany and Switzerland |
| Terrain | National lidar terrain where available, Copernicus DEM worldwide; contours | NASA / USGS topography in many locations | Official terrain models in 13 countries |
| Trees | OpenStreetMap trees + trees detected on satellite imagery | Not listed | OpenStreetMap trees |
| Roads | Centrelines or real widths with kerb radii; bridges and interchanges at their levels | Road centrelines | Roads |
| Drawings | Vector map with labels, shadows, hillshade; axonometric illustration; terrain sections | Not listed | PDF / SVG maps |
| Preview before paying | 3D, drawing, satellite and both editors are free; credits only for downloads | Not listed | Not listed |
When to choose urban:EXPORT
- You want to try for free without an account and download areas larger than 1 km² at no cost (up to 5 km², 3 a day).
- You need BIM (IFC for ArchiCAD and Revit), 3D printing (STL) or game engines (FBX) in addition to DXF, SketchUp and Rhino.
- You need presentation graphics: a labelled vector map, a figure-ground plan, shadows and an axonometric illustration straight from the model.
- You work in regions where official data is thin: Overture Maps fills missing buildings (for example in China) and trees are detected on satellite imagery.
When another tool may fit better
- You need cadastral parcels or survey-grade official data in the countries TopoExport covers.
- You only need whole-city road networks as 2D DXF: CadMapper offers them for many metro areas for free.
Open urban:EXPORT — free No sign-up · 3 areas a day up to 5 km² free · up to 100 km²