Pixar in a Box

When creating animated films we love, Pixar uses different types of transformations! Your job today is to learn more about how Translations are involved in films such as Toy Story.

Facilitator Notes: The sets & staging part of Pixar in a Box allows learners to experience how transformations are used in the real world. For this activity, learners will be introduced to the idea of transformations in animations. Learners then have the ability to test their knowledge of translations by setting up part of a scene from Toy Story. Disclaimer: learners need support in learning how to use the set staging tool.


Pixar in a box is also done through Khan Academy. This activity will allow learners to receive instant feedback in regards to graphing points on a coordinate plane as well as understanding that translations merely means to slide or move a shape without performing any other transformation.

To begin, use the button below to access Pixar in a Box. You must complete the following:

  • Start here!
  • Introduction to geometric transformations
  • 1. Coordinate plane
  • Graph points
  • 2. Translation
  • Laying out a scene using translation