Here's the problem: a box, a prism, a stepped shape — they all live in 3D, but every page, screen and exam paper is flat. So how do you put a solid on paper without it turning into a confusing scribble? You describe it by its views.
One Solid, Three Flat Photos
Imagine taking three photos of a solid: one standing right in front of it, one standing beside it, and one from a ladder looking straight down. Each photo is flat — a plain 2D shape. Those three flat shapes are the front view, the side view and the top view (the top one is sometimes called the "plan" or "bird's-eye" view). Together they tell you everything about the solid without ever drawing it in 3D. In the toy, hit each button and you'll see the very same stepped solid squash down into a different 2D shape each time.
Why the Three Can Look So Different
Look at that stepped solid in the toy. From the front it looks like a plain square — the back wall fills in everything behind. From the side you suddenly see the step, like a little staircase. From the top it's just a square footprint again. Same object, three completely different pictures. That's not a mistake — it's the whole point. Each view shows you a different truth about the shape.
This Is Everywhere
Architects draw "elevations" (front and side views) and "plans" (top views) for every building. Flat-pack furniture instructions are drawn this way. Even a game engine builds 3D models from flat reference pictures. Learning to read and draw views is the bridge between the flat maths on your page and the real, solid world — and it's exactly what you'll need before you can build a prism or work out its volume.