Physical materials and appearances in Fusion
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can add physical materials to parts, change their appearance and create photorealistic renders using Fusion.
Key learning points
- Physical materials and appearances can be assigned to components in Fusion.
- Adding physical materials alters a component's properties.
- Photorealistic renders can be created in Fusion to showcase digital prototypes.
Keywords
Physical material - applies both visual and material properties to components
Appearance - applies visual properties to components
Render - a photo-realistic digital representation of components
Prototype - an early model of a design used to test and explore ideas
Common misconception
Adding physical materials to components in Fusion is for aesthetic purposes only.
Adding physical materials to components alters their appearance and properties.
Teacher tip
Allow pupils to experiment with different physical materials and appearances based on the materials and appearance of their final prototype.
Equipment
Access to Fusion. Downloadable greenhouse model.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does CAD allow designers to do?
Q2.A prototype is an early model of a design used to and explore ideas.
Q3.In Fusion, what is a component?
Q4.Match each Fusion tool or feature to its purpose:
lists all design elements like bodies and materials
shows the order of actions taken
creates photorealistic images
Q5.What does appearance control in a CAD model?
Q6.When using Fusion, assigning physical materials changes a component’s , such as weight, strength, or density.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What happens when a physical material is assigned to a component in Fusion?
Q2.An appearance only changes the properties of a component.
Q3.Which workspace in Fusion allows you to create photorealistic images of your model?
Q4.Match each term to its description:
applies both visual and real-world material properties
changes how something looks on-screen
produces a photo-realistic image of a design
Q5.Why is rendering useful in product design?
Q6.Assigning the correct physical material is important because it affects how a component will behave in the world.
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Physical materials and appearances in Fusion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 design and technology lesson on: Physical materials and appearances in Fusion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 design and technology lessons from the Systems approach to design: Sustainable Futures unit, dive into the full secondary design and technology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.