3D Printed Original Butterfly

 

Challenge: For a nine year old student to use Tinkercad to create an original 3D Designed (and then printed) insect, in this case a butterfly.

Background: The student involved in this followed the detailed process involved in the insect creation and development that we have mentioned and posted about a significant number of times on this blog, including using the ChatGPT generated resource sheet.

The student involved in the process did so independently and submitted this print for a final printing at which point the teacher was able to view it and provide some feedback - given the dimensions and the details (including the print time, the PLA used) it was felt that there was value in producing the print in a physical form to provide feedback to students.  In terms of the chronological order this print actually was one of the first that we completed.

Resources used to complete this print: Tinkercad App, iPad, Bambu P1S Printer, Bambu Blue PLA.  The Tinkercad app was important as the wings featured are from the main interface and they were the starting point for the design which then came from that with the remainder of the shapes and body parts.

Size: This was one of the reasons for the quick turn around for the print.  From wing tip to wing tip the print measured 70mm and was 60mm long.  The print body had a diameter of 20mm and including the thorax and the abdomen was 50mm long with the antenna being a further 10mm high.   The intention was for the piece to complement one of the art pieces of the Pet and Calf Day Art Display.

Cost: To complete the print the print used 17g of PLA.  There was minimal rafting (although as shown below even this could have been improved with the legs).  This gave the print a price point of $0.30c.

As shown on the undersize of the print, shown left, the student wanted to make sure the design had the typical six legs that were present in an insect.   By introducing them in the form that they did (six cylinders which were 2mm across and 5mm wide or long).  If the option had been to either adapt these such as making them smaller or printing them separately and then perhaps gluing them in place this would have removed the need for support at the bottom of the print which would have further reduced the cost and the printing time.

Timeframe: The print took one hour and six minutes to complete.  This was significantly contributed to by the rafting or support material that was created by the legs.   In theory we would suspect that it would be reduced by at least a quarter, and if you compare it other prints in the series (such as the stick insect or the ants) which took about half the time, however the balance to that is literally with the feet it sits quite well on the students desk, although it was intended to be placed onto a stick.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students: This project when we revisited and reviewed it with the student involved checking off the list of items from the ChatGPT generated worksheet.  While the items on this list were covered the symmetry that is present in butterflies was addressed and discussed and the student, they acknowledged that they needed to adapt the wings and the designs on one side and on the reverse the legs were not attached to the thorax/abdomen area and instead were in the middle of the wings.

Using AR/VR in a Variety of Ways

 

We've spoken about our Pet Day 2026 created senior Fairy Village.  Each of the students had a section of the diorama that was put together to form a large display.   It wasn't our junior students display however we were wanted to use it as a backdrop and background for our students to use their iPads and the Tinkercad App and its ability to project images using the AR/VR button.

There's so many examples of this process and how we've used this with our students with a variety of environments.   There is no green screening or additional resources required for the students to complete the work - the students simply project the design, either an original creation from themselves or something that the have found online or part of the Tinkercad resource library.

You can click here to see how we've used it with our Puanga Art Project earlier this year working on 'Pumpkin' celebrations this year or even our 2025 designed Christmas Tree's.

This example shown left features a Polar Bear from the main Tinkercad interface.   The students did not design the bear it was simply located from the search bar and then imported into the Tinkercad App.   From there the student was able to simply click on the AR/VR button and using their iPad projected the image onto the scene.   The Polar Bear image was then taken as an iPad screenshot.   The screenshot was saved to the students camera roll.   This image was then altered by being run through a range of filters.   For this process we gave the students the option of using the editing process for the photograph or using another app - which in this case was Pic Collage.

This image shown left is the 'Starry Night' filter with the Pic Collage App.   It has been used in conjunction with Tinkercad.   In the middle of the bridge, which was set up between the two classrooms work - a car has been projected onto the bridge.   At the same time there were other students in the background - these are the figures that you can see standing int the background although their image, features and ages have all been significantly altered.   The teacher themselves was in the middle of the photograph and has been removed and replaced as a cape or a sheet - which has been a discussion and talking point all in itself with the students.   The process to complete has taken under one minute to apply the generic filter.

The process was also completed with other filters such as shown left.   This design was created by a student - its first stage was the designing of the Angel like figure which is on the bridge (this is the same bridge with the 'Starry Night' filter above).   The figure was then projected into the middle of the bridge.    When that was completed the student decided that they wanted to use a filter to complete the design and this was the same filter that was used with the other recent post detailing this process the B/W Pencil option.

We have been using Pic Collage as an option for AR/VR purposes.   Recently with the development of more individualised AR/VR with programs such as Chat GPT.   Pic Collage not to be outdone have introduced an open option for the purpose of filters - in the case of the example on the left the student took a photograph of the Fairy Village, and focussed on the pond part of one of the sections.   They then made the decision to create a AR/VR input of make the filter like the 1400's - which then transformed it into the market scene that is shown left.

This is another example of focussing on one element of the fairy village - the pond.    This was created by students, the AR/VR component of it was the duck that was projected into the middle of the pond (this is the same pond that was featured in the photograph above and had the 1400's filter applied to it).

Once this had been screenshot by the student the process of selecting a range of filters was then carried out.   The selected filter was the Pic Collage - Japanese Cherry Blossom that then added the different layers to the final image.   

It goes without saying that the goal of each of the projects is to produce a digital image and not a 3D Print of a physical nature.  

Using PicCollage And Tinkercad - AR/VR Development

 

For Pet Day 2026 our students across the school developed a range of ideas.   For our students in Room Two and Room Three, the senior classrooms with Year 7 and Year 8 students there was an overall theme of a 'Fairy Village' of recycled designs and fantastical village designs.

Our students took the opportunity to use these backgrounds for some creativity involving the use of Tinkercad (for its ability to design and create) and specifically the Tinkercad App and their iPads (which have the ability to project an image onto another location or place).   There are many examples of this process shown here on this blog  which you can click on the link here or use the search bar top right and  use the rag AR/VR.

Our students were given a tour of the displays and then asked to select something suitable that wouldn't look completely out of place in the display.   We then took our technology to the classrooms display and completed the projection process.  This took a few minutes as we had pre-prepared the designs or selected designs that we felt would work well.

One example was the process using the frog from the main Tinkercad interface.   This design has appeared on our blog in the past, as its one of our giant sized AR/VR figures that we showed off in February of this year.

Once the image had been snapped we weren't quite finished, the AR/VR process produces some creative designs but we have also for a number of years now then used additional apps to further enhance or alter the image that has been created.  Pic Collage has been a firm favourite with the ability to take the students image and use a variety of filters and now AR tools to change the image.   In the example shown left you can see the screenshot taken by the student in the process of then applying a filter which in this case was the B/W Pencil filter.   The student has then selected the frog and re-generated this part of the image so its stands out.   From here the final part of the process would be to crop the picture, although as it has been shown here you can see the design page from the Pic Collage app.

This image is another version of the same process - the student has open up the relatively new feature of the AI powered editing process whereby using prompts and writing the picture can undergo further developments and changes.

In this example shown left the frog is visible to the top right of the small pond, which is in a different location to the original as the student was experimenting with the best way to hide or place the frog striking a balance between placing it somewhere were it could be located to having it somewhere which look natural.  

The entire process for this was completed in a single block of time which from start to finish was twenty five minutes by a nine year old working under classroom supervision with the teacher.   There was no input into the creation or design process as the student was capable and able to complete it themselves.

In the image shown left the student used their creativity with a number of factors - they took a phot of their hand holding a bug, which they then regenerated and used the fairy village as the background.

Again this is a screenshot from the Pic Collage app so you can see how the students have applied the idea and the creativity and how it could be used in the classroom.   Obviously this is another example of using the design process that is provided by Tinkercad and applying it in a sense where a 3D Printed project is not the object - in this case it is the image which can then be used for a variety of purposes such as a display (or a colouring in page that is unique and specific to the students).

The Day Before Pet Day

 

Its our single biggest day of the year! (Well tomorrow it is) its our 2026 Auroa Primary School Pet Day.   On this day our students are going to be super busy showing their animal and their art displays.  As the displays were set up this afternoon we were able to get a sneak peak at some of the amazing work going on around our school.   Our senior school students (Year Seven and Year Eight) have used our school laser cutter to produce the frames for their digital photography as shown left.

The images have been taken by students using technology and then mounted within the custom made frames which have been printed out via MDF.

Some of the students have opted to print out pre-made designs while others have taken features like our local mountain, Mount Taranaki and included this in the design for the frame.

Although the laser cutting time for the frame has varied depending on the details and the additions to the frame.

The other creation that relates to our technology was the use of the laser cutter to produce additional material for the recycled dioramas.

Our senior students other big activity has been there amazing dioramas.   These scenes have had a number of details or features incorporated into their creation - but again students have used the laser cutter for additional details and features.

In the example shown left the idea of a path has been further refined by the arches that mark the path.   Other students have created and detailed doors and furniture which has then been mounted within the scene.

Our amazing AV teacher Mr Bloor is producing another one of his outstanding videos and we will make sure that we share that with you as soon as it is completed following tomorrows activities.

Two Years and Two Machines

In 2024 we used our then Snapmaker machines to produce a range of prints that were the spiral design that was popular at the time.  At the time a range of them had started appearing as part of some of the popular online sites where there were being sold to our students.  A number of students brought these into school and the classroom and we  then in turn located the .html code for these designs and printed our own version.

At the time we noted that the designs were quite robust and required to have some finishing on them, where we removed the 'rafting' or the excess waste PLA that was located in the groves or inside the prints.   Recently we again repeated this process with the change being it is now two years later and instead of using the Snapmaker we have used the Bambu H2D.

As shown left, the photograph has been taken from a design that we located from the Bamub Printer Labs online portal.   This design features a group of four complete designs - the four bases and the four inserts.   

Of note when comparing the two designs on the new version, shown left, there is no waste plastic/rafting which is contained within the groves of the design the designs are complete as shown and printed without the need for any removal.

Each spiral and insert used took thirty eight minutes to complete and used 40g of PLA this had a price point to produce one of the spirals of $0.45c.

This was relevant when considered producing this in large numbers for some kind of school event or fundraiser etc.   There is obvious potential to print with some colour variation or match up.

Pet Day 2026 is Nearly Here!

We've back at school in New Zealand and back for one of our most exciting weeks of the year - our annual School Pet Day.

This is when our students are able to bring pets to school and show their Lamb, Calves and other animals off in the best possible way.   This year we are also working hard on our art displays in the classroom and of course in Room Seven we are using our AR/VR skills and our design work such as our Tin Can Design that are also including a 3D Printed insect.  We have also been using Tinkercad and its AR/VR ability to ensure that we are creating, prototyping and working on our CAD design skills with out students.

Want to see what Pet Day is like at our school in New Zealand - well of course we have the amazing Mr Bloor and his videos such as our 2024 Pet Day Video which you can view by clicking on it here.

We also have some examples, work and great things to share.  Today in class we had a little time to work on our Tin Can Art Displays and also decided to look at using Tinkercad and its AR/VR features to have some fun.

Each photo on this page has a Tin Can theme but also has something that is not present in the actual scene as our students have AR/VR it into place.

In the very first photo it is the butterfly, in the second photo, immediately to the your left you can view the ladybird, but this is the 3D Print that we featured last week, so it is not present at all!

Later on we will be presenting another edition of 'Tinkercadhunt' when we use the Pet Day backgrounds as a project location.

There's also last years video from Mr Bloor below which you can watch with our students showing off some of their skills in art and animal care and responsibility! Can't wait until Thursday!

3D Printed Phone Stand: Fathers Day 2026 Revisited

 

Challenge: To produce a unique gift for Fathers Day 2026 that was created, designed and modified by a nine year old student.

Background: Earlier this year in New Zealand we celebrated Fathers Day.   While we focussed on producing a range of Fathers Day themed coasters we also had selected students who choose to work on other designed themed around this, although with time pressure and demand on the printing machines we also were unsure that we could realistically print all of the designs.

This design was in this category which had some inspiration from an earlier phone stand for Mothers Day from a different student.   The student worked off a basic seat or couch based design which included features such as a hole for the charging cord at the base of the design, was personalised with the name of the student who created the project shown on the base of the design (left) and then had further elements added to it, like the lip holding the phone in place.  All this was developed independently by the nine year old student.

Resources used to complete this print: iPad, Tinkercad App, Bambu H2D, Bambu Bronze regular PLA.

Size: The print measures 100mm across the front and was 60mm wide.   The print was 60mm tall at the front of the design and 90mm tall at the back.  

Cost:  The print used 123g of PLA filament to complete - there was no support rafting for the print (in the photos with the font you can see the additional PLA that needs removing but it is a small amount, the lettering is essentially correct as it stands).  This meant that the project had a price point of $2.47c to complete.   This was one of the reasons that this item was featured as a business by one of our groups from our 2025 Auroa School Market Day.  We were able to create similar sized and designed models that were highly personalised and that we were able to produce and sell as a viable product.

Timeframe: To complete this print the printer was operating for three hours and two minutes.  This was at the standard default settings with the machine and Bambu Studio Labs. 

The dimensions of the print was ideal for holding a regular phone securely.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students:   There could have been some adjustments to the lettering on the reverse of the design and potentially the student could have added some additional details to the print however the student was extremely pleased with the overall look and the functionality of it.   We have a multitude of designs that can be searched for with this theme on this blog if you search for 'phone stands'.