3D Printed SVG Stencil

 

Challenge: To use an SVG file to produce an effective and working stencil.

Background: We detailed the creation of this process earlier when we explained how the students rather than creating an original file from scratch (which can at times be time consuming and also frustrating to get the details extremely accurate.   

One of the options to reduce either the timeframe or the process is to use freely available SVG files as we have detailed, including this previous example of a school bus.   This instance saw the student taking a seperate 'profile' image and use that image to create a series of visual images.

This process involved taking the image using the Tinkercad App and then projecting it to an outside location.   When this had been completed the student used their iPad to take a screenshot of the image and record it.

They then took the image that they had created and used the Pic Collage app to apply a filter to the picture.

The final stage of the process was then take the original design and 3D Print it.

Resources Used: Tinkercad App, iPad, Pic Collage App, 3D Printer and 3D Printer PLA.

Level of Difficulty: Low - the process most challenging part for the student was to select an SVG file that would be suitable for a 3D Print.   Some of the files suggested made great AR/VR images but were then discounted as 3D prints due to their design or shape.

Size: The physical 3D Print measures 160mm across and was 70mm high.  The print was 1mm thick.

Cost/Price: As it was a stencil the print used only 8g of filament to complete the process and this had a corresponding price point of $0.20.

Timeframe: This project took twenty minutes in total to complete - five minutes to warm up the printer and fifteen minutes to complete the actual print.

What we would do differently/Next Steps for the students: The space between the smaller windows at the back of the bus is quite small so while it should work as a stencil if it was spray painted actually colouring it in would be a challenge.  The student who completed this project is an eight year old student who is working as part of the cohort one this year - ie they have had one and half terms of 3D Printing experience.

Combining 3D Printing and Tinkercad with ChatGPT

 

The image shown left was created by using ChatGPT to create an image with a series of prompts based around the Tinkercad creation of a piece of work.

The purpose of doing this was initially to help the students with a series of writing prompts, however the piece itself contained a number of errors that were spotted by the students.

If you look at the placement of the hole inside the keyring you can see that it changes places from the middle of the design to the top left hand corner by the end.

It also added several steps that our students didn't need to complete the process.   The time for the creation of the poster took under two minutes.

AR/VR Design Creating 'Lego/Not-Lego' Part Two

This is the second part of our 'Lego-Not Lego' challenge involving our 'bargain' purchase of a set of supermarket bricks.

The first challenge of the set involved creating the 'lego' not lego figure that was then projected into the scene - and around our school.

The follow up challenge was to place a static object into the scene so it looked liked it belonged.   This was a similar activity to our '#tinkercadhunt'.    An early version of this showed this student creating this table and placing it in the scene.

This example in this series shows a range of photos that have followed a similar process.   The design that has been added to the scene is the same one that featured in this post of the blog, in the third photo in that series that featured a frying pan.

This image projected onto the kitchen bench in the top photo.  Wanting to develop the photograph further the student took the photographic image created with AR/VR and then applied a #PicCollage filter.   This then modified the image creating texture on the finish and adding waves and the ocean into the background.

The same image was then put through an additional filter, as shown left.   This image created a second image which differed from the first in terms of the background and the definition of the image.

The entire process took less then twenty minutes to complete from the applying AR/VR design to the background to then road testing a range of images that were suitable for the filter process.  It was not perfect as several filters were applied that replaced a significant portion of the image (thus rendering the new image as unusable).

There is a range of images associated with this task - this is a small sample of the total amount of images from the (class) project.  We will be putting the remainder of the image on Facebook on the this sites companion page.

3D Printed SVG Example

Challenge: To use an SVG file to create a 3D Print that has a purpose.

Background: As noted a previous challenge given to students we were looking at ways in which we could create a SVG and then convert this into a 3D Print.  We were also looking at having a purpose for a print - by either selecting an SVG file that didn't need adjusting or to resize, adjust or the print.

In the instance of the example shown left the student viewed a number of designs and selected this 'school bus' from the list.   The design had clear holes built into the design and this was potentially be used to 'loop' or hook into the design creating the potential for a keyring or similar type purpose.

Resources Used: iPad, Tinkercad App, regular PLA, Bambu H2D, SVG File (from FreeSVG Files)

Level of Difficulty: Low.  In this instance the file didn't need any adjustments and when it was located and was inserted into Tinkercad, met the size requirements and was a simple matter to import the design.

Size: The print measures 120mm across, was 130mm high and was 10mm deep giving it strength.

Cost/Price: Using the Bambu Lab Studio software associated with the problem once the .stl needed slicing we can determine that the print used 27g of filament and this had a price point of $0.67.

Timeframe: To complete this print the duration of time involved was forty seven minutes.

What we would do differently/Next step for the students: This design could have potentially had additions made to it prior to being printed.   We could have sprayed it afterwards or looked at different colour combinations.

As a basic task that was completed easily to demonstrate a point this task was ideal.

3D Printed: Non 3D Printed Updated Slideshow 2026

 

This slideshow is our 'Non-3D Printing 3D Printing ideas'.  It is a range of activities for students to complete with iPad that involve 3D Design and creativity that do not result necessarily in a 3D Print as the end product.

This slideshow was originally published last year and now has been updated to include examples from 2026.

Pre-Stencils to Enhance Original Prints

 

We've been experimenting recently with a range of stencils for the students to use to enhance their 3D Prints.  Its a way to ensure that a creative and interesting print can have added layers.

We've already featured on our blog this year a number of examples of students completing a design and then having the final result spray painted (note this is not done by our students!).  The actual stencils themselves we haven't previously featured however this is what they look like.  They were purchased online from a significant online retailer.   What we have already discovered is that some are more successful than others - however we have also realised that we could use the 3D Printer to produce our own version of these.  We did this earlier in the year with our 'name stencil' 3D Print design. 

The obvious next step from here is to look at the images that have been produced and create an original stencil from that - the students had an 'aha' moment as the recent activity to import an SVG file into Tinkercad which our students created using pre-made images.  By combining the two activities together the students will be able to produce their own working stencils that will be able to replicate a range of animals.

The challenge (as always) will be selecting shapes that will realistically work as a stencil, in combination with the technology.  

Spray painting has been used for a number of projects in the past, featured on this blog including examples like this from 2021, this example from 2022 or this project from 2024.  As always you can use the search bar on the top right hand corner of this blog and use the keyword 'spray' locate additional posts.

Technology Masterclass: Multi-Layered Staff Prize

 

One of the amazing things about being at Auroa Primary School is the wonderful students (of course) but we have some amazing staff.   This is something that can inspire and sometimes intimidate.

We have responsibility once a year to provide something for a staff prize - this masterclass was Mr Bloors latest piece of brilliance.  

It combines the three major pieces of technology that we have available to staff (and students at Auroa Primary School.   This box has been produced primarily with the school laser cutter.   After the box was cut it has been put together with hinges that were created using the 3D Printer.   Additional touches were then provided by creating handles for the end of the box.   

Finally the details on the box were created by using the sticker machine to create the decals which were then applied to the box.   As the theme of the box was the Never Ending Story a group of designs of creatures and items from the movie were printed and then added to the design.

This is a masterpiece of work combining three different technology together to produce something that is outstanding.

You can view Mr Bloor amazing work via his Youtube page here or this page via Facebook.