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      Architectural orthographic projections

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can create an architectural prototype model using computer aided design.

      Key learning points

      1. Orthographic projections show side, front and top views.
      2. Tinkercad shows orthographic projections.
      3. Tinkercad orthographic view can show designs to scale from the front, back, top, bottom and side views.
      4. Tinkercad can turn 3D designs into orthographic projections.

      Keywords

      • Perspective view - viewing 3D objects in 2D, where objects look smaller as they get further away

      • Orthographic view - viewing 3D objects in 2D to scale, showing each side of a design without perspective

      • Elevation - different views of an object

      Common misconception

      Orthographic projections are just a plan view.

      Orthographic projections have a plan or top view, side view and front view and are used for architects to show the different elevations of a building.

      Teacher tip

      Have a prepared office shell for pupils to add to their designs. This way all the pupils will have the same starting point space to design on. Include walls, windows and doors but nothing else. This is for the pupils to work on.

      Equipment

      Access to Tinkercad on tablet, chromebook or laptop.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of these best describes what Tinkercad is used for?

      drawing flat pictures only
      Correct answer: designing 3D objects on a computer
      editing photos and videos
      creating music tracks

      Q2.
      Which of these shows the three dimensions used in Tinkercad designs?

      Height, Weight, Depth
      Correct answer: Length, Width, Height
      Top, Bottom, Middle
      Shape, Size, Colour

      Q3.
      Identify the objects that are 3D.

      a photograph
      Correct answer: a cube
      a flat drawing
      Correct answer: a cylinder

      Q4.
      Put these steps to create a compound shape in order:

      1 - select two or more shapes
      2 - position the shapes where you want them
      3 - adjust size and elevation if needed
      4 - click “Group” to combine them

      Q5.
      When designing in Tinkercad, why is it helpful to use different views?

      to change the shape’s colour
      to make shapes look bigger
      to duplicate shapes faster
      Correct answer: to see the object from all angles

      Q6.
      Put these steps to change a shape's elevation in the correct order:

      1 - select the shape you want to move
      2 - click and drag the black cone above the shape
      3 - watch as the shape moves higher or lower
      4 - release when the shape is at the right height

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      What is an orthographic projection in Tinkercad?

      a 3D view showing all angles at once
      a tool used to make shapes hollow
      Correct answer: a 2D view showing one side of an object at a time
      a setting to change the object’s colour

      Q2.
      Why would you use orthographic projection in Tinkercad?

      Correct answer: to check the exact size and shape of each side
      to add textures and colours
      to make shapes disappear
      to rotate the camera automatically

      Q3.
      Which elevations do orthographic projections usually show?

      left, right, back elevations
      back, front, plan elevations
      back, side, plan elevations
      Correct answer: front, side, plan elevations

      Q4.
      Match the view to what you see in orthographic mode

      Correct Answer:Front view,shape’s height and width

      shape’s height and width

      Correct Answer:Side view,shape’s depth and height

      shape’s depth and height

      Correct Answer:Top view,shape’s width and depth

      shape’s width and depth


      To help you plan your 6 design and technology lesson on: Architectural orthographic projections, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...