How to turn a child's drawing into a swimming 3D fish
In Live Aquarium a drawing becomes a 3D fish in about a minute: tap + in the aquarium, colour an outline or draw your own creature, then tap Bring to life. The fish is born in the aquarium with exactly the colours and strokes your child made. The first two fish are free, and everything happens on the device, with no account and no internet.
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Three ways to make a fish
- Fish: pick one of 34 outlines, from a clownfish to a narwhal, and colour it with brushes, one tap fills, stamps and a rainbow brush. A small 3D preview shows the result while your child paints.
- My drawing: a blank sheet for anything at all. A cat, a dragon or a fire engine will swim too.
- From paper (with Live Aquarium Plus): photograph a drawing made with real pencils or markers, or choose a photo of it. The app cuts the drawing out of the sheet by itself.
Step by step
- Open the aquarium and tap the + button.
- Choose Fish, My drawing or From paper.
- Colour or draw. There is no wrong way: an unfinished fish is saved, so your child can continue later.
- Tap Bring to life. The drawing folds into a 3D fish and dives into the water.
- Give the fish a name. It now lives in the aquarium: it can be fed, petted and taken on an expedition.
What makes a drawing work well
- Bold, closed outlines. A shape with a gap in its border is harder to cut out.
- Bright, dense colours. Pale pencil on white paper almost disappears.
- One creature per sheet, with some empty space around it.
- For photos: a flat sheet, even light and no shadow from the phone. More tips are in how to photograph a paper drawing.
What happens to the drawing
The drawing and the fish stay on the iPhone or iPad. The app has no accounts, no ads and no analytics, and it does not upload drawings or photos anywhere. Recognition uses Apple's on device image tools. Details are in the privacy policy.
Is it free?
The first two fish your child draws or colours in the app are free. The optional Live Aquarium Plus subscription adds unlimited fish, fish from photos of paper drawings, three more expeditions and two decoration sets.
Does it work without internet?
Yes. Drawing, bringing a fish to life and playing in the aquarium all work offline.
What age is it for?
The app is made for children aged 3 to 8. Voice hints help children who cannot read yet.
Does it have to be a fish?
No. Any drawing can swim: on the blank sheet or from paper a child can make a cat, a car or a monster, and it will move like a sea creature.
