THE 3D MAP MAKER Charting a new career One man’s return home to Devon has prompted a career change from motor racing to map making, as LAURA DALE discovers PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATT AUSTIN 3D map maker Peter Bolt ast year, former Formula One map he produced to Salcombe Yacht Club: are pieces of artwork. Peter says: Red Bull Racing engineer “They put it up outside the locker rooms in “Engineering is creative, but it’s about Peter Bolt opted for a slower the clubhouse and this gave me the being creative within guidelines and pace of life and moved back to confidence to carry on.” procedures which you have to follow. Devon where he is a full-time Peter is one of only three people known There was no book that I could read to tell Ldad. With his engineering mind in need of to produce 3D maps in the UK. A surprising me how to make the maps.” new stimulation, he tried his hand at statistic until you realise the patience and He adds: “You have to be accurate. producing 3D nautical charts. Initially a painstaking accuracy needed to produce a Making 3D maps is so precise I think it’s a hobby, Peter’s map-making has caught the high quality map. It takes about 40-50 good craft for people with an engineering attention of keen maritime enthusiasts and hours to produce an A2 size one. mind. I am addicted to accuracy and detail. enquiries for commissions have come from Peter explains: “I use several maps to I find it hard to stop once I start making as far a field as Chile. make each one because you overlap each one.” Whilst holidaying on the south coast of layer. I cut it all out by hand using a small Growing up in Exmouth, Peter’s Ireland, Peter came across some 3D craft knife. I cut out each piece bonded ambition was always to work in Formula nautical maps. Intrigued by the intricate onto a map board. I use old university One. In 2006 he landed his dream job and detailing and precision work, he began to books to put some weight on it and leave it began working for the Red Bull Racing play around with some old charts. “After overnight. Then I cut it all out on the foam Formula One team. A test engineer, Peter about six months I became quite obsessed map board, so everything is cut twice.” was factory-based in the UK for three with it and I started to research what the Even if you have no interest in seasons in the research and development best tools and methods were. I cracked it in cartography or the coastline, it’s hard not department where one of his duties was February this year and started to produce to appreciate the craftsmanship which goes the gear box sign-off. bigger maps,” he says. Peter gave the first into each map. Finished off in frames, they He says: “I loved the competition and it 230 DEVON LIFE October 2014 devonlife.co.uk The fine detail on the charts takes hours of work really captured my imagination. I have After leaving Red Bull Peter went on to Peter uses original waterproof charts and always been interested in putting things work for SAIC Motors Ltd, Antonov he has a licence from the Hydrographic together. Working in F1 is the ultimate for Automotive Technologies and Drive Office to produce them for the smaller an engineer because you’re competing with System Design Ltd; but the lure of the designs. He uses Imray maps because the your skills. If you work hard the car might South West proved too much: “I grew up in colours are more contemporary. go faster. It’s great seeing the results of Exmouth and I could never get Devon out He explains: “People assume they are what you are doing at a race. It was machine or laser cut, when they find out daunting, but the team support from the ‘I am addicted to accuracy they are cut by hand they are taken aback.” race track filters into the factory.” and detail. I find it hard So far Peter’s fledgling business has The team always had a debrief after each attracted commissions including maps of race by team principal Christian Horner. to stop once I start the West Solent and the Isle of Wight. He Peter recalls: “If the race had gone went making one’ has also been asked to quote for a Chilean well the drivers would also attend. During map which the client would like hand my time there the drivers were Christian of my system. I love being by the coast and delivered to Chile. He recently completed Klien and David Coulthard. Mark Webber the sea, so I had a lot of home sickness his largest commission to date, a map of replaced Coulthard in 2007. It was always being in the Midlands. When my son Jonas Eddystone Rocks to Berry Head, a chart motivating when they walked around the was born those feelings grew stronger. My which measures 1,060mm wide x 700mm factory unexpectedly and took the time to wife Adele picked up on those feelings and tall. Prices start from £85 for a small ask about what you were doing. I she took a job as head of geography at unframed map to £350 for a large unframed remember thinking that the drivers looked Uffculme School. Unfortunately there isn’t map. n a lot smaller in real life than they do on the much opportunity here for me engineering More details: website: land-fall.co.uk, Twitter: @ TV.” wise, which is what led me to the maps.” Landfall3DArt devonlife.co.uk DEVON LIFE October 2014 231.