立體圖是具有高程的地圖，是一種直觀、形象地表示地貌形態和地理景觀的特種地圖。很早人們就基於實際的需要而開始製作立體模型，到了現在雖然材料和技術都有了很大的進步，但是和其他的科技比較起來，不但不能算進步，甚至可以歸類爲手工藝了。特別是數值地圖在理論、技術與應用上正在進行著革命的時候，立體模型製作似乎已遠遠趕不上這一波浪潮，而被人遺忘了。不過立體地圖是具有歷史淵源的，同時其所具有的實體感覺，也使立體地圖有存在的必要。目前，立體模型製作作業過程複雜，工作時間長，使成本居高不下。未來人力將更加的缺乏與昂貴。立體模型製作會更爲困難，如果製作過程上不再謀求改進，也許會像傳統手工藝一般的消失在歷史中。因此，本文將嘗試討論製作方法的改進與發展方向。

Reliefmap, which can be outlined with elevation without further surveying and described from terrian and geographic, is a special map. Base on practical need people started to make relief map long time ago. Although the material and technique has made much progress at present time, but in comparison with other technology, relief map is not Hi-Tech at all. Especially the theory, technique and application of digital map are in the revolutional age, therefore relief map making naturally is easily neglected. But relief map has it own history, so relief map has it existing value because of special 3D feature. For the time being, the complicated operational procedures of relief map making, long working time, make higher first cose. In the future the man power will become more needed and costing, therefore relief map making naturally will be getting more difficult, if the process of it approach cann't be further improved may be relief map will disappear just like the conventional handicraft in the history. This paper try to discuss the improvement of approach and direction of development in relief map making.