Choose this category if your Big Idea is best shared through:
- seeing something from different points of view
- displaying an original work digitally created and modeled in three dimensions using specialized software
You need to know:
- You are NOT required to print your model on a 3D printer.
- Your project must be presented in the software you used to create your model(s).
- Judges will ask you questions to determine your level of understanding of the software you used and your design process.
Resources:
Helpful resources include but are not limited to the following:
Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are considering submitting a project in this category:
- Creating 3D models often requires computers and/or devices with powerful processors. Computers have to render 3D models. This often takes time and computing power. Some older devices are not up to the task.
- Not all 3D software and resources are free, even for educators and students. If you want to use a free resource, you may have to sacrifice easy-to-use features and limit the scope of your model. Don't feel compelled to pay for an expensive program. Judges are often impressed with students who make the best use of free resources.
- Save examples of your 3D model as you develop it, all the way from its earliest, rough beginnings to its final, polished form. Judges like to see evidence of features of the program or model that you struggled with, how you overcame obstacles, and how you improved.
You may have up to 2 people on a team but teams and individuals will compete against each other within each grade grouping. Regardless of the length of the project, judging time is 15 minutes. Judges may only view a portion of the actual project.
Judges will use the 3D Modeling category rubric as a guideline for exemplary characteristics of projects in this category. Students should use the rubric as a guide for what judges are looking for.