Explore the Platonic Solids in Augmented Reality!

MathShapesAR is a free iOS app that works with a set of printable AR "marker" images to display the corresponding shape in augmented reality through the screen. Currently there are eight supported shapes -- the five Platonic solids and their three dual polyhedra -- with more in development.

 

A hand holding a small rectangular paper moves a purple semi-transparent icosahedron displayed in augmented reality.
The Icosahedron viewed within the MathShapesAR app.

Download and print the attached one-page PDF with the AR markers attached to this Forum post or from the BB Labs website, and cut out the eight rectangular markers. (I've found color, matte printing on heavy cardstock paper works best.) You can also view the shapes from the PDF from your laptop or computer screen!

One page of 8 rectangular AR markers, each displaying the name of the shape and a colored 2D image on a QR-code background.
An image of the one-page PDF of Platonic solids AR markers for use with the MathShapesAR app.
 

As a mathematics professor I teach a liberal arts math course for non-major students, which includes a section on the Platonic solids. I wanted students to be able to visualize the Platonic solids and describe details about the shapes, including the 2D polygon making up each face of the shape and the total number of its faces, edges and vertices. Instead of purchasing costly physical manipulatives for each student that they could only use during class, I wanted an inexpensive and convenient way for students to be able to see these mathematical shapes at any time, from any place, using just their iOS devices and cut-out pieces of paper.

So I created an augmented reality app using C# and Unity with ARKit that uses AR marker images to display the corresponding 3D model in augmented reality. To make it as accessible to as many educators and learners as possible, it is available for free from the Apple App Store, with a free downloadable PDF available from my website (and this Forum post!). I'll be using this app with my students next year, and I hope you might find it useful too.

Let me know in the comments if you use these in your classroom or your home!

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