How to Make 3D in Scratch Like a Pro
By spaiderman-lefler

Hey everyone! Today, I’m going to take you on a creative journey — and show you how to make 3D (three-dimensional) effects in Scratch. Even though Scratch is a 2D platform, we can still use some awesome tricks to make things look 3D!

First of All… What Is 3D?
3D (short for three-dimensional) means something has depth, not just height and width.
In real life, everything is 3D. You can walk around objects, see them from different angles, and they look different depending on how far or close they are.

In games like Minecraft, Fortnite, or Roblox, you play in a 3D world — you can turn the camera, move in every direction, and objects look real.

But… Scratch is 2D. You can only move left/right and up/down.

So the big question is:

How Can We Fake 3D in Scratch?
Answer: With smart design and optical tricks!
We use code, costumes, and creativity to make objects look like they’re moving in 3D, even though it’s all happening on a flat screen.

I’ll show you 3 awesome techniques I use, plus bonus tips and project ideas!

Part 1 – Three Ways to Create 3D in Scratch
1. Perspective – Changing Size Based on Distance
This is the most common trick.

If something is far away, it looks small.
If it’s close, it looks big.

We use this rule in Scratch by adjusting the size of a sprite depending on its “distance”.

For example:

scratch
Copy
Edit
when green flag clicked
forever
set size to (100 - distance)
Or even better: use the z value as a “fake depth” value, and scale based on that:

scratch
Copy
Edit
set size to (100 - (z position * 0.5))
You can also simulate walking into the distance by shrinking a sprite while moving it toward the horizon.

2. Shadows and Layering
You can make objects look 3D by:

Adding shadows or gradients to costumes

Using multiple sprites for different sides of a cube

Layering shapes from back to front

Example: to make a 3D cube, you can draw each side as a costume, and use the ghost effect or color shading to make one side darker (like it’s in shadow).

3. 3D Shapes Using the Pen Tool
This is advanced, but super fun.

You can use the pen block to draw 3D objects with code!

For example, to draw a spinning cube or a rotating circle:

scratch
Copy
Edit
pen down
repeat 360
move (2)
turn (1) degrees
end
With math (like sine, cosine, rotation matrices), you can create amazing spinning cubes, rotating planets, or tunnels that look 3D.

Bonus Tips and Tricks
Here are some more ways to take your 3D illusions to the next level:

1. Use a “Fake Camera” System
Create a variable for the camera's position, and move sprites based on their location compared to the camera. This helps simulate things like scrolling 3D worlds.

2. Use Clones to Simulate Depth
Make multiple clones of the same object, each with a slightly different size and position, to simulate distance or rotation.

3. Try Raycasting!
Yes, even raycasting is possible in Scratch. It’s a method where you draw lines to simulate vision or depth — great for 3D mazes and “first-person” views.

Project Ideas You Can Try:
3D Maze – Use scaling and layer tricks to make a first-person maze.

Spinning Cube – Animate each face to rotate like a real 3D object.

3D Racing Game – Cars get bigger as they come toward you and smaller as they go away.

3D Tunnel Effect – Use pen trails and shrinking circles to create a warp-speed tunnel!

Orbiting Planet System – Use trigonometry to spin planets around a sun.

Final Thoughts
3D in Scratch isn’t just possible — it’s super fun, super creative, and it pushes your skills to the next level. You’ll learn about math, art, game design, and animation — all at once.

If you want help building a 3D project, or want me to show examples, just ask me! I’d love to share some of my favorite tricks.

Thanks for reading my Show and Tell!
Now go build something epic!
– spaiderman-lefler ️️

אם אתה רוצה, אפשר גם להוסיף קוד לדוגמה או ליצור בשבילך פרויקט תלת־ממד אמיתי ב־Scratch שאתה תוכל להעלות. רוצה?








You said:
תן לי קישור לשם


ChatGPT said:
אין בעיה! הנה משפט סיום עם קישור לפרופיל שלך:

Check out my profile here:
https://scratch.mit.edu/users/spaiderman-lefler

אתה יכול לשים את זה בסוף הפוסט או בתחילתו – איך שתרצה.
רוצה שאשלב אותו גם בגוף הטקסט או אכין גרסה מלאה עם הקישור בפנים?








You said:
show and tell


ChatGPT said:
הנה גרסה מלאה של הפוסט שלך ל־Show and Tell, כולל הקישור לפרופיל שלך ב־Scratch, מעוצבת, ארוכה, מושכת ומוכנה להעתקה והדבקה:

Show and Tell: How to Make 3D in Scratch Like a Pro
By spaiderman-lefler

Hey everyone! Welcome to my Show and Tell!
Today I’m going to take you on a creative journey and show you how to make 3D effects in Scratch, even though Scratch is actually 2D!

Yes — it’s possible. And it’s AWESOME. Let’s go!

What Is 3D, Anyway?
3D means three-dimensional. It’s not just height and width — it’s also depth.
In the real world, you can walk around objects. You see different sides, and the way things look depends on how far or close they are.

But Scratch is a 2D world. So… how do we fake 3D?

The Trick: Illusion + Creativity
In Scratch, we can simulate 3D using:

✅ Perspective
✅ Shadows and layering
✅ Size changes
✅ Pen graphics
✅ Clever math and positioning

Let’s break it all down!

3 Main Ways to Create 3D in Scratch
1. Perspective – Size Based on Distance
When something is far, it looks smaller. When it’s close, it looks bigger.

So in Scratch, we use a variable like z (fake depth), and change the sprite’s size depending on its distance:

scratch
Copy
Edit
set size to (100 - z * 0.5)
If your sprite is moving “forward,” you make it slowly grow. If it’s moving “backward,” you shrink it. That creates the feeling of depth!

This is great for:

Racing games

Platformers

Maze games

Even cutscenes!

2. Shadows and Layers – The 3D Illusion
Use shading and smart layering to give your sprites a 3D effect.

For example:

Draw the side of a cube a little darker

Put the top layer in front

Use go to front/back layer blocks to place things in the right order

Want to make it look even cooler? Try adding shadows using semi-transparent shapes or the ghost effect.

✏️ 3. Drawing 3D with the Pen Tool
Advanced Scratchers know this one! You can use the pen extension to draw 3D shapes like:

Spinning cubes

Tunnels

Planets in orbit

Curved 3D lines

Example:

scratch
Copy
Edit
pen down
repeat 360
move 2
turn 1 degrees
Add math like sin and cos and you can create rotating 3D systems that feel real.

Bonus Tips From Me – spaiderman-lefler ️
Use Clones for Distance
Want a 3D tunnel effect? Make clones of circles that get smaller and move away from the center. BOOM – warp speed!

Fake Camera System
Make variables for cameraX, cameraY, and update sprite positions based on the camera. It’s a full 3D world inside a 2D stage!

Try Raycasting
Yes, Scratch can do it! Use it to simulate vision like in old-school first-person games. Perfect for 3D mazes.

Don’t Be Afraid of Math!
3D = geometry + fun. Rotation, scale, depth, sine, cosine — these are your 3D superpowers

Project Ideas You Can Build
Here are some projects you can try after reading this post:

3D Tunnel Runner

Spinning Cube Simulator

3D Racing Game

Orbiting Solar System

First-Person 3D Maze

If you want examples or want to remix my ideas, just ask or visit my profile below!

Find Me on Scratch:
https://scratch.mit.edu/users/spaiderman-lefler

Feel free to check out my projects, remix them, or leave a comment! I love helping people create awesome stuff ✨

Final Message from Me:
You don’t need Unity or Roblox Studio to start learning 3D —
you just need imagination + Scratch + effort.

So go build, try, experiment, fail, succeed, and create the next big thing…
right here on Scratch.

– spaiderman-lefler ️️