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Year 5

Creating images using vector graphics

I can create a vector drawing by combining shapes.

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New
New
Year 5

Creating images using vector graphics

I can create a vector drawing by combining shapes.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

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

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

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Different shapes can be combined to create a drawing.
  2. All the elements added to a vector drawing are editable objects.
  3. Duplicated objects can be changed.

Keywords

  • Move - to change where an object is placed on the canvas

  • Resize - to make an object bigger or smaller

  • Handle - a small square or circle on the edge of a shape that you can click and drag to resize or rotate the shape.

  • Rotate - to turn an object around a point

Common misconception

Vector drawings cannot be edited.

Each element added to a vector drawing is an editable object.


To help you plan your year 5 computing lesson on: Creating images using vector graphics, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use familiar objects like faces or animals to help pupils visualise how shapes combine into a full image. Breaking down a picture into shapes supports both creativity and understanding.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Access to a drawing package such as https://oak.link/google-drawings

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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What are vector drawings made up of?
pixels
Correct answer: shapes
colours
layers
Q2.
How are vector drawings different from paper-based drawings?
They are made with pencils.
They cannot be changed once drawn.
Correct answer: They use shapes and lines on a computer.
They are always black and white.
Q3.
What is a "shape" in vector drawings?
a tool used to erase parts of a picture
a type of line used in drawings
a way to colour pictures
Correct answer: a flat object like a square or circle used to build pictures
Q4.
What does the "line tool" do?
Correct answer: draws straight or curved lines
colours shapes
erases lines
moves shapes
Q5.
Which of these is an example of a vector drawing?
a hand-drawn sketch
a photograph
Correct answer: a computer image made up of shapes
a painting
Q6.
Which tool would you use to draw a circle in a vector drawing?
line tool
eraser tool
move tool
Correct answer: shape tool

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a vector drawing made up of?
Correct answer: editable objects
pixels
layers
colours
Q2.
What happens when you duplicate an object in a vector drawing?
It becomes uneditable.
Correct answer: It can still be changed.
It disappears.
It merges with the original object.
Q3.
What is the small square or circle on the edge of a shape used to resize or rotate it?
Correct Answer: handle, a handle, handles
Q4.
Match the tool to its purpose:
Correct Answer:move tool,changes the position of an object

changes the position of an object

Correct Answer:resize tool,adjusts the size of an object

adjusts the size of an object

Correct Answer:rotate tool,turns an object around a point

turns an object around a point

Correct Answer:eraser tool,removes parts of the drawing

removes parts of the drawing

Q5.
Why are vector drawings different to paper-based drawings?
Correct answer: They are made of editable objects.
They cannot be changed once drawn.
They are always black and white.
They are made of pixels.
Q6.
What is the purpose of resizing an object?
to change its colour
to duplicate it
to rotate it
Correct answer: to make it bigger or smaller