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.

Importing SVG Files Into Tinkercad

 

We've written about a range of uses for AR/VR aspect of Tinkercad.  We're always looking for 'quick' activities to engage our students.

In this example here the students imported an SVG file into Tinkercad.   In this case the student emphasis was on finding a creative file to import instead of designing the figure themselves.  There is an 'import' button on Tinkercad - its an extra option top right hand corner of the app (under the three dots).   When this is selected you have the option to import a range of files.

We had looked online for a suitable .SVG file that we could use.   The criteria is a bit varied but essentially the smaller figures tend to be able to imported quickly some larger more detailed files required a lot longer to do so (and some did not import at all).

We made a range of files available rather than allowing students to randomly search for .SVG files - as with anything else you need to be aware that there is a range of files, some of which are not necessarily suitable for students.

We also of course wanted to consider the possibility of creating 3D Prints from this process - however we are looking at the prints and recognising the ones that would not be suitable, this was a really positive discussion for our class and we also wanted to look at how we might take an original image and then modify it for another purpose - to ensure that it had something other than a novelty value.

 This was a one off activity but it is assumed that the students will take this knowledge and ability and be able to start moving forward with a range of designs and ideas from this process.

There were many more photographs from this range of activities (there are twenty one students in the classroom) however we wanted just to share a few of them and share the idea.

For the teacher we used 'Free SVG' site to locate the files.   You can visit that site by clicking on the link here.

Minecraft Figure: 3D Printed Witch

 

Challenge: For junior student to use Tinkercad to create an original Minecraft inspired design.

Background: The student concerned wanted to create a recognisable Minecraft Figure.  They had previously designed 'The Villager' which was a print that we featured on this blog, in March.   The student identified another figure that they felt they would be able to replicate and the shape of the figure when it was 3D Printed would have a high recognition factor.

The student was able to create the figure independently using their cohort two skills and able to present it to the teacher as complete.  The student is an eight year old student, experienced with Tinkercad in class this year and last years. 

Resources Used: iPad, Tinkercad, Bambu H2D, Regular PLA.

Level of Difficulty: High.  This is a small scale print in terms of size (see below) however there are layers to it and all of the different aspects of the design need to work in unison with each other.   The other issue is that other students gave feedback to the student about the degree of the recognition factor.

Size: This figure is 30mm wide, is 80mm high and is 20mm deep.  As it stands the purpose of the print needs to be refined and this would adapt the size of it.

Cost/Price: As it stands at the moment the print uses 16g of PLA to complete and the price point for this is $0.40.

Timeframe: The print using the Bambu H2D took fifty three minutes to complete.

What we would do differently/Next Steps for the students: There are various possibilities moving forward, depending on what the student decides.  There have been a number of versions of Minecraft prints and projects created by our students this term.  You can look at other examples by clicking on the 'search' box in the top right hand corner of this blog.  If you want to see a summary post of our ideas you can click on the link to the summary here.