2D to 3D: Process

| fricke.60

Research

For this assignment, I conducted research on different types of 3D shapes such as cubes, cylinders, and pyramids. Wanting to gain a better understanding of their inner structure and how they come into fruition, I looked at a lot of diagrams similar to the one below. Seeing diagrams like these gave me a better understanding of how 3D shapes are constructed and some are more difficult than others.

  • Exercise #1a:
This is an exercise we did in class in order to start understanding the construction of 3D shapes, cubes specifically. We started by drawing a cube template on a piece of 14×17 bristol and then, using our crafting knife and tacky glue, put them together. This was a really fun way to prepare for our project, as it provided good experience without being overly difficult.
  • Exercise #1b:
This is another exercise we did in class. Instead of finding a template from the internet, we were now tasked with creating our own based off a shape of our choosing. Wanting to experiment with squares, I chose a shape that was simply four squares aligned and slanted in a row. For the sake of time and efficiency, once I figured out the template I taped the sides together instead of gluing them.
  • Exercise #2:
This was our third and final exercise. Introducing us to the world of orthographic drawings, the task of this exercise was to create a digital version of our 3D shape. This was a really cool way to see what our shapes would look like without actually having to create a template and cut them out.

Iterations

From that given shape, we then had to figure out different ways we could manipulate it. The goal was to create it into something new while still maintaining the same plane view as the original one. Below are a few options I created, ranging from a table-like structure with two legs to a figure that appears as if it walked out of the movie Star Wars. 

I was most drawn to the shape all the way to the right so I moved forward with it and started to create a template that would allow myself and other people to construct it in the future. I initially struggled with this but found quick success after cutting out all the shapes I knew I needed and taping them together until I got the right configuration. This miss-match tape template is shown below. I marked with a highlighter the places I needed to put tabs and then wrote whatever notes I had either on the edges or backside. Doing this method really helped me to see quickly what worked and what didn’t.

Production

#1:

After creating the makeshift paper template, I first started by making a more accurate and updated version of it online (equipped with a key and directions since it does look confusing). I made this on Illustrator.

#2:

Once I finished making the online copy, I then made a paper version of it.

#3:

Since I knew I’d be making two different versions of my shape, I wanted to keep the base of it very consistent. In order to do this, I used a light table to trace that template onto several pieces of Bristol so I could be reassured that they’d be the same. I made a few modifications to the tabs, as well.

#4:

From there, I cut out and constructed my first rendition of my shape. This process was long and tedious but resulted in something that I think looked really cool.

#5

After that, we were given the final task of embellishing our shape with one of four options; modularity, negative space, comparison, and surfaces/illusions. I chose the last option, which meant we had to draw on the surfaces of the shape in order to create the illusion that it was moving and/or 3D. Since my shape had been constructed through many squares and cubes, I wanted to continue that theme within my embellishment. Thus, I drew smaller cubes all over my shape and produce an interesting, inner 3D effect. This took equally as long as constructing the shape but nonetheless, I was proud of how it turned out.

Link to Portfolio Project

Now that you know how it came to be made, here’s a link to my portfolio page where you can see my 3D to 2D assignment. Enjoy!

https://u.osu.edu/fricke-60/portfolio/2d-to-3d/