STEM Lesson - What are 3D Objects?

 |  Jennifer Christian

       

 

Ages 10 and up 
Print PDF Version

Description

Creating 3D models requires students to have a deep understanding of 3D space, including rotating and scaling. In this section, the basics of 3D modeling, CAD software is used to model shapes as we focus on learning new math concepts used to solve real-world problems. By engaging in these activities, students will gain a better understanding of planes and 3D space.

Instructions

It's important that you know how models are built-in 3D software. Take a look at the highlighted Interactive Rectangle - you’ll see that every shape has four distinctive parts, which are Faces, Polygons, Edges, and Vertices - all of them have arrows pointing towards the parts of the figure they refer to. When it comes to Edges and Vertices the idea is rather simple so I won’t dwell on it, but it gets interesting when it comes to Faces and Polygons.

Watch: What is 3D Modeling?
Class Discussion: What makes an object 3D?
Review Game: Click here
Watch: Shape Generator

Explore: To switch to Polygon selection you need to move your cursor over the Face selection and switch to Polygon. A 3D workspace is the environment in which 3D objects are designed. 3D workspaces provide various tools and features that enable users to create 3D models and manipulate them in multiple ways. The users can interact with the workspace in a number of ways. They can move, rotate, and resize objects and manipulate their properties, such as color and texture. Click the different options within the interactive rectangle in SelfCAD. Explore the interface and the basic tools described in this unit.

Manipulating Objects in a Virtual Environment

In the world of 3D modeling, understanding the x, y, and z coordinate system is essential for accurately pinpointing the position of an object in three-dimensional space. This allows us to visualize and manipulate objects in a virtual environment with precision and accuracy. By utilizing the x,y,z coordinate system in 3D modeling software or tools like CAD (Computer-Aided Design), we can create virtual representations of these objects with precision. This allows us to accurately indicate their exact position in three-dimensional space while enabling detailed analysis or modifications if required. 

Cartesian Coordinate System

In geometry, a Cartesian coordinate system is a plane is a coordinate system that specifies each point uniquely by a pair of real numbers called coordinates, which are the signed distances to the point from two fixed perpendicular oriented lines, called coordinate lines, coordinate axes or just axes (plural of axis) of the system. The point where they meet is called the origin and has (0, 0) as coordinates. Similarly, the position of any point in three-dimensional space can be specified by three Cartesian coordinates, which are the signed distances from the point to three mutually perpendicular planes. More generally, n Cartesian coordinates specify the point in an n-dimensional Euclidean space for any dimension n. These coordinates are the signed distances from the point to n mutually perpendicular fixed hyperplanes.In this unit, we'll go over some of the basics of navigating a 3D workspace so that you can get started. Understanding the workings of a 3D workspace is a valuable skill that can improve your efficiency, creativity, communication, and career prospects. Choosing the right software is of paramount importance. Maneuvering a 3D workspace can be intimidating initially, but with practice and patience, it can become second nature.

Class Discussion: What are some examples of 3D objects?
There are numerous real-world objects that can be represented as 3D shapes, each with its own unique characteristics. Some common examples include:

1. Buildings: Skyscrapers, houses, and other architectural structures can be accurately modeled using 3D shapes. The x, y, and z coordinates help determine the height, width, and depth of each component.

2. Automobiles: Cars, trucks, and other vehicles consist of various 3D shapes that can be represented using the coordinate system. This enables designers to accurately position different parts such as wheels, windows, and doors.

3. Natural Landscapes: Mountains, valleys, and hills are all examples of real-world objects that can be visualized using 3D models. The x,y,z coordinates help define the elevation changes across a terrain.

By utilizing the x,y,z coordinate system in 3D modeling software or tools like CAD (Computer-Aided Design), we can create virtual representations of these objects with precision. This allows us to accurately indicate their exact position in three-dimensional space while enabling detailed analysis or modifications if required. As we know, three-dimensional shapes are present all around us, and comprehending their properties plays a vital role in many fields. To deepen our understanding,  you will collaborate with a partner on generating a list of real-world examples of 3D shapes. These could include objects such as buildings, vehicles, household items, or natural structures. Once we have compiled our list, we can explore how the X, Y, and Z coordinate system can be employed to precisely locate different aspects of these objects. 

Conclusion

And that's all there is to the basic 3D shapes. After this lesson, you should have the general idea behind 3D shapes and know how to customize your objects using all of the described settings, as well as some of the tricks that you can use them for. Of course, the graphics shown here were just examples. There are just so many shapes that it would take forever to cover each one of them and to showcase all of those settings in action. The underlying principles will always stay the same, no matter the Shape, so you should be fine experimenting with them on your own. 

Extension Activities

1 Lego Set Interactive Tutorial 144 Steps
2 Stairs Tutorial 69 Steps

 

 

Knowledge Check

  1. What is the net?
  2. What are some examples of situations where engineers would replicate a 2D design in 3D modeling software?
  3. Explain what happens when more segments are added to the face of your shape?
  4. What is used to determine the edges or parametric curves that form boundaries of the surfaces of virtual objects?
  5. What allows you to select parts of the figure, such as the face, edges and vertices, to model them individually?

Review Game

https://jeopardylabs.com/play/what-are-3d-shapes

 

Subscribe for more lessons.

 

 

Was this blog post interesting or helpful?