A method and systems of applying a contour gradient to a two-dimensional path are provided. A three-dimensional polygonal shell may be constructed from the two-dimensional path. Then the three-dimensional polygonal shell may be projected into two dimensions, resulting in a two-dimensional projected model, while saving values for a third dimension for each point in the two-dimensional projected model. Then a range of all values for the third dimension in the two-dimensional projected model is determined from the saved values. The range can then be mapped to a visual attribute. The two-dimensional projected model may be displayed using the mapped visual attribute.