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Blosm (formerly Blender-OSM)

ADDON
📖4 min read
Blosm for Blender: Google 3D cities, OpenStreetMap, Terrain Add-On by Blender Burbax

Introduction​

Blosm (formerly Blender-OSM) imports real-world geographic data into Blender in a few clicks: OpenStreetMap (OSM) vector data (buildings, roads, forests), real-world terrain heightmaps (SRTM), and high-resolution Google 3D Tiles.

Where BlenderGIS imports GIS data for precise work, Blosm is optimized for generating a 3D environment quickly. For visual investigation, that makes it a fast way to establish scene context: a base model of a city block, a rural area, or a specific landmark in minutes.

Key Takeaways​

OSM Data Import

Generates 3D buildings, roads, paths, and water bodies directly from OpenStreetMap data with customizable levels of detail.

Google 3D Tiles

Imports high-resolution photogrammetry models from Google Earth (where available) as realistic background context.

Terrain Generation

Downloads and applies real-world elevation data (SRTM) so buildings sit on accurate topography.

Installation​

  1. Download: Get the addon from Gumroad. There is a free version and a premium version.
  2. Install: In Blender, go to Edit > Preferences > Add-ons > Install... and select the downloaded .zip file.
  3. Set up the cache directory: In the addon preferences, set the directory where Blosm caches downloaded OSM and terrain files.
  4. API key (optional): For Google 3D Tiles, create a Google Cloud API key. The addon documentation walks through the setup.

Usage​

OSM + terrain (vector workflow)​

Select the area· N-panel

Open the N-Panel (press N) and switch to the Blosm tab. Click select to open the map view, navigate to your location of interest, and copy the coordinates or the rectangle selection.

Import the terrain· import type: Terrain

Set import type to Terrain and click Import. This creates the ground plane with real elevation.

Import the OSM features· import type: OpenStreetMap

Set import type to OpenStreetMap and pick the features you want: Buildings, Highways (roads), Water, Forests. Check Import on Terrain so buildings sit on the elevation, then click Import.

Google 3D Tiles (photogrammetry)​

Select and configure· import type: 3D Tiles

Set import type to 3D Tiles, select your area, and choose the level of detail. Higher resolution means heavier meshes.

Import the tiles· one mesh

The addon downloads and assembles the tiles into one mesh. The result is often heavy and triangulated. It works well as background or context geometry, but it is hard to edit.

In an Investigation​

Accuracy vs. context​

  • OSM data is user-generated. It is generally accurate for layout, but building heights are often estimates or defaults. Do not use OSM building heights for line-of-sight analysis without verifying them against other evidence.
  • SRTM terrain has a resolution of about 30 meters. It reproduces hills and valleys, but it misses small embankments, ditches, and ground-level changes.
  • Where precision matters (coordinates, distances, strict georeferencing), use BlenderGIS and treat Blosm output as context geometry.

Blosm vs. BlenderGIS​

BlosmBlenderGIS
Strength3D buildings, textures, fast environmentShapefiles, CAD data, strict georeferencing
Data sourcesOSM, SRTM, Google 3D TilesVector GIS layers, GeoTIFF, and similar
Use it whenYou need a quick, realistic scene contextYou need to measure, georeference, and edit

Performance​

Importing a large city area can freeze Blender.

  • Start with a small selection (for example 500m x 500m).
  • Import in stages: terrain first, then buildings, then vegetation.
  • The premium version separates buildings into collections for easier management.

Limitations​

  • OSM building heights are often estimates or defaults. Do not use them for line-of-sight analysis without verification.
  • SRTM terrain has about 30m resolution. Good for hills and valleys, not for small embankments or ditches.
  • Large imports can freeze Blender. Start with small selections and import in stages.
  • Floating buildings usually mean you imported buildings before terrain, or left Import on Terrain unchecked.
  • Missing textures: check that you are in Material Preview or Rendered view.
  • API errors with 3D Tiles: check your Google Cloud project billing status, even on the free tier.
See Also

Resources​