New
New
Year 6

Modifying 3D objects

I can identify that digital 3D objects can be modified.

New
New
Year 6

Modifying 3D objects

I can identify that digital 3D objects can be modified.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. When a shape is selected, a number of ‘handles’ appear.
  2. The white corner handles will resize the objects in two dimensions, changing its width and length.
  3. The black handles on each side of the base of the shape will resize the shape in one dimension, either width or length.
  4. The black cone shaped handle on top of a shape enables you to lift or lower a shape relative to the workplane.

Keywords

  • Handle - a shape that indicates when an object is selected, and that can be used to move and resize an object

  • Resize - to change the size

  • Recolour - to change the colour

Common misconception

The shape inspector is only used to change the length or width of a shape.

You can use the shape inspector to customise different properties of a shape, including recolouring shapes.


To help you plan your year 6 computing lesson on: Modifying 3D objects, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You will need to be familiar with resizing, lifting/lowering, and altering the colour of 3D objects in Tinkercad.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Pupils will need access to a device with 3D design software. Examples in this lesson use Tinkercad https://oak.link/tinkercad

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is a 3D model used for on a computer?

Correct answer: to help design and view real objects in detail
to make flat drawings
to write stories
to play music

Q2.
Put these objects in order from least to most dimensions:

1 - point
2 - line
3 - square
4 - cube

Q3.
What does ‘2D’ stand for?

two designs
two directions
Correct answer: two-dimensional
two drawings

Q4.
Why might someone want to view a 3D object from different perspectives?

Correct answer: to see how it looks from all sides
to make it disappear
to change its name
to make it smaller

Q5.
Which job might involve using 3D models on computers to plan real objects?

baker
footballer
singer
Correct answer: architect

Q6.
Match each keyword to its meaning:

Correct Answer:perspective,the position or angle you view from

the position or angle you view from

Correct Answer:model,a copy or design of something

a copy or design of something

Correct Answer:2D,a flat shape with no depth

a flat shape with no depth

Correct Answer:3D,a solid shape with height, width and depth

a solid shape with height, width and depth

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What appears around a 3D shape when you select it in Tinkercad?

arrows for drawing
Correct answer: handles for resizing and moving
music notes
text boxes

Q2.
What do the white corner handles allow you to do?

change the colour
delete the shape
add text
Correct answer: resize the shape in two dimensions

Q3.
Which handle is used to lift or lower a shape above or below the workplane?

white corner handle
side handle
Correct answer: black cone-shaped handle
colour picker

Q4.
What do the black handles on the sides of a shape’s base do?

Correct answer: resize the shape in one direction
change the shape’s colour
delete the shape
add new shapes

Q5.
Put these actions in order for lifting a shape above the workplane:

1 - Select the shape.
2 - Find the cone-shaped handle.
3 - Drag the handle upwards.
4 - Release the handle.

Q6.
Which tool would you use to change the colour of a shape in Tinkercad?

Correct Answer: shape inspector