Making a 3-D timeline is an excellent introduction to using computer aided design (CAD) software, and also a way of producing an effective teaching tool. You can approach this project in many ways, but learning some essential CAD functions will help you regardless of the approach you ultimately take. One set of functions is that for moving around in 3-D space, which you’ll use to evaluate your timeline model. Moving in 3-D space can be broken down into the actions of panning, zooming and rotating. These actions are easier to visualize if you think of the movements that a cinematic camera operator performs. Alternatively, draw a timeline on any flat medium that you’re comfortable with. Such media include posterboard, paper, chalkboard, and digital paint programs. Get tips on making effective timelines from the links in the Resources. Alternatively, you can use the following tip to create an aesthetic point of view: Move to a viewpoint directly in front of the timeline. Apply the orbit tool to move a short distance toward the timeline’s left end. Use orbit again to move a short distance upward, to just above the timeline’s top edge. Writer Bio
