1. What are 3D Shapes?
3D Shapes or 3-dimensional shapes are different from 2D Shapes. The three dimensions are length, width, and height.
1.1 Faces, Edges, and Vertices
- Faces: A face is a flat or curved surface.
- Edges: Edges are straight lines where two faces meet in the 3D Shape.
- Vertices: Vertices are the corners in the 3D shape. Two or more edges meet to make a corner
Let us now take a look at the properties of some of the most common 3D Shapes.
Difference between pyramids and prisms:
1) A Prism has two identical bases whereas a pyramid has only one base.
2) The sides of a pyramid are triangular in shape joined at a point, whereas the sides of a prism are always rectangular in shape.
2. Plans and Elevations
Plans and elevations are the 2D drawings of the 3D shapes.
Plan: The plan shows how a 3D shape will look when it is seen from the top.
Elevation: Elevation shows how a 3D shape will look when it is seen from the front or side.
Elevation depends on which side you are looking from.
2.1 Solved example
For the shape given below, draw:
a) Front elevation
b) Side elevation
c) Plan view
Solution:
a) Front elevation: the view you’d see directly from the front arrow.
b) Side Elevation: the view you’d see directly from the side arrow.
c) Plan view: the view you’d see directly from the arrow above.
