Like color and texture, shape is another major element of engaging visual images. In order to create a shape, we begin with a form. What's the difference? Form and shape are thought of as either 2D or 3D. A 2D (two dimensional) form has width and height. The skillful use of forms (and shading) creates the illusion of 3D (three dimensional) objects.
Along with width and height, actual three dimensional shapes have depth as well. By understanding and constructing actual 3D shapes, we gain a better understanding of how to recreate such objects digitally. Even if we aren't necessarily trying to create digital 3D objects, understanding shapes will help develop better design skills.
Explore the Interactives: Geometry 3D Shapes site from Annenberg Learner and discover the attributes and properties of basic 3D shapes, such as pyramids, prisms, and cylinders.
Learn more about 3D shapes while having fun. How? Simply drop by the BBC's Bitesize site where visitors have an opportunity to acquire and hone 3D object recognition skills by completing the Mission 2110 Roboidz game. While at the site be sure to play the KS2 Maths shape identification game and explore the additional shape, space, and measures resources as well.
Understanding dimensions is a great starting place for working with shapes. Though humans generally think about and work with 2D forms and 3D shapes, scientists and mathematicians agree that there are other, higher dimensions. Even so, humans have a difficult time visualizing these dimensions. 3Blue1Brown explores this matter in his YouTube video: Thinking Visually About Higher Dimensions.
MathIsFun has a concise visual glossary of common 3D shapes. Clicking on an individual shape (for example, the cone) takes the user to a page that shares additional information.
The NRICH Project (through the University of Cambridge) aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. Among the many tools for learning available through project are resource for developing a deeper understanding of shapes. A few noteworthy examples include:
Polygons are shapes created when three or more points are connected. Objects in 3D are usually built from all kinds of polygons of different shapes. A higher number of polygons used to build a 3D shape makes the shape appear more smooth to a viewer. Learning more about polygons is absolutely essential for anyone who wants to create 3D models. The Geometric Solids interactive from NCTM Illuminations allows users to learn more about various geometric solids and their properties by manipulating and coloring each shape to explore the number of faces, edges, and vertices of a given polyhedron.
A solid in three dimensions with flat faces, straight edges and sharp corners or vertices can be a thing of beauty. Gijs Korthals Altes knows this. Ever since 1998, Altes has maintained a thoroughly engrossing Paper Models of Polyhedra site where visitors have an opportunity to explore, examine, download patterns for, and make their very own polyhedron. Time spent delving into and using the paper models Mr. Altes has assembled is an excellent means of preparing students to construct digital 3D models.