Fish Tessellation in 3D!

Print as many fish as you like in your favourite colours and create your own tessellating masterpiece. Files are included for both a single extrusion and a dual extrusion version.

MakerBot

MakerBot Replicator 2

Yes

No

Standard Settings

Standard Settings

The solid colour fish shown in the photograph above were printed on a MakerBot Replicator 2 using standard settings as indicated.

The dual colour fish were printed on a MakerBot Replicator 2x using standard settings and a raft. Additional information for the dual extrusion files are provided herer:

Dual Extrusion Fish (Merged files)
1) Download the FishTesselllationMerged.thing file.
2) The body is set to the left extruder and the fins are set to the right extruder.
3) This version has been printed successfully with standard settings and a raft.

Dual Extrusion Fish (Merge the files on your own):
1) Download the FishTessellationBody.stl and FishTessellationFins.stl.
2) Center both objects in Makerware. To line up the body and fins the fins must be moved +10.5 mm on the x-axis.
3) This version has been printed successfully with standard settings and a raft.

Our grade 8 curriculum explores tessellations as part of the Shape and Space strand. Our students traditionally have created a 2-dimensional piece of artwork as their final project to demonstrate their knowledge of transformations.

These fish were created to help inspire students to think of tessellations in three dimensions, which is now an option for our students!

The Tessellating fish was designed using TinkerCad to view the files or to use them as a starting point, you can find them here:
https://tinkercad.com/things/4UaqdeXjm24

Use a method of your choice to create a tessellating object. I used the slice method as described on the Tessellation.Org Website. This is a great resource to help you begin your journey in tessellations.

Some important considerations when creating your design

1. Start with a plan. If your shape tessellates in two dimensions it will tessellate in three dimensions with a little creativity. I started with a fish design that

2. Tinkercad is a great program that allows you to design by addition or subtraction. Be creative with your use of holes to subtract material from your starting shape. The fin of my fish is able to have overlaps