New
New
Year 6

Planning a 3D model

I can create a plan for my own 3D model.

New
New
Year 6

Planning a 3D model

I can create a plan for my own 3D model.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Computer-based 3D design is used in architecture to plan buildings.
  2. 3D models of buildings are created by combining 3D shapes.
  3. In 3D models, designs can be viewed from different perspectives.
  4. In 3D models, objects can be easily combined, moved and resized.

Keywords

  • 3D shapes - shapes with three dimensions: height, width and depth

  • Combine - joining or merging two or more things together

Common misconception

All the shapes of a model can be seen from one perspective.

Some shapes may be not able to be seen from one perspective, they may be hiding behind other shapes.


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

You will need to be familiar with grouping and ungrouping 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

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What do we call a 3D shape that has six rectangular or square faces and is often used to build boxes or dice?

Correct Answer: cube, cuboid

Q2.
Match each example to the correct keyword:

Correct Answer:a can,cylinder

cylinder

Correct Answer:a see-through tube,a hollow shape

a hollow shape

Correct Answer:a shape used to cut a hole,placeholder

placeholder

Correct Answer:height, width or length,dimensions

dimensions

Q3.
What do dimensions help you do in design software?

change the colour of a shape
add sound to your model
Correct answer: accurately resize and move shapes
make objects spin

Q4.
Put these steps in order for making a hole in a 3D object:

1 - Place the placeholder inside the object.
2 - Make sure both are flat on the workplane.
3 - Group or combine the placeholder and the object.
4 - Check the result.

Q5.
What is the main reason to use a placeholder in your 3D model?

to make the model colourful
to add sound
to make the object spin
Correct answer: to create a hole or mark a space

Q6.
What shape would you use to model something like a can or a tube?

cube
sphere
pyramid
Correct answer: cylinder

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What do we call shapes that have height, width and depth?

Correct Answer: 3D shapes, 3D, three-dimensional

Q2.
Why is it important to look at a 3D model from different perspectives?

Correct answer: to see all the shapes, including those hidden behind others
to make the model colourful
to make it spin
to delete shapes

Q3.
What does ‘explode’ mean in 3D modelling?

to make a shape bigger
to colour a shape
Correct answer: to separate combined objects into individual parts
to hide a shape

Q4.
Match the example to the correct word:

Correct Answer:perspective,looking at a model from the side

looking at a model from the side

Correct Answer:combine,joining or merging two or more things together

joining or merging two or more things together

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

a shape with height, width and depth

Correct Answer:explode,separating joined shapes

separating joined shapes

Q5.
Which statement about viewing a 3D model is wrong?

Some shapes may be hidden behind others.
You may need to look from different angles to see all shapes.
Correct answer: All the shapes of a model can be seen from one perspective.
Not all shapes are visible from every view.

Q6.
Put these steps in order for making a 3D model:

1 - Analyse an example 3D model.
2 - Choose the objects you will use.
3 - Combine the objects to make your model.
4 - View your model from different perspectives.