Intro to 3D Modeling with Tinkercad.com
Contents
General Info
TinkerCAD.com is a browser based CAD/Drafting tool for creating 3D models suitable for 3D printing or importing into graphics engines in other programs like minecraft or animation programs.
- TinkerCAD uses modern browsers, so nothing needs to be installed on a user's computer. Everything runs in the cloud.
- TinkerCAD is super easy to learn and a great way to develop beginner CAD skills and 3D thinking.
- TinkerCAD is FREE, simply create an account and follow the intro lessons. http://www.tinkercad.com
Maker Station member Tanju Bayramoglu is a fan of tinkerCAD and has offered to host a class on it.
Feel free to reach out to him or the Board of Directors (info@themakerstation.com) to ask questions or request another class.
TinkerCAD's intro video https://youtu.be/MwjWT-EvKSU
Lesson: Maker Keychain
1.) Login/Create Account
- In a new browser window, go to http://www.tinkercad.com and choose SIGN IN or SIGN UP as needed.
- Enter your credentials.
- The page will load with your dashboard. If you are an existing member, your existing designs will be displayed. Otherwise, you will see a generally blank screen.
2.) Create new design
- Click the Create new design button
- The page will refresh and the Tinkercad workspace will be displayed
- Scroll down until the geometric shapes are displayed in the tool pane on the right side of the screen
- Click the red box and drag it on to the workplane
3.) Edit shapes
- Click on the red box to reveal the shape handles.
- Select a corner handle and drag it to convert the square box into a rectangular box 40 mm long.
- Select the top center handle down to reduce the box height to 2 mm tall.
- In the tool pane, scroll to find the cylinder and drag it on to the workplane near the box.
- Select the top center handle and reduce the cylinder's height to 2 mm tall.
- Select and drag the cylinder so that its center lines up with the left edge of the box as shown in the screenshot.
- Click the +/- button and the panning left/right/up/down arrows to position your view of the workplane as needed.
4.) Add Text
- In the tool pane scroll down for individual letters.
- You may need to expand the Letters section of the tool plane.
- Select the letters "M" - "A" - "K" - "E" individually and drag them on to the box.
- Position the letters as shown in the screenshot.
- Click the +/- button and the panning left/right/up/down arrows to position your view of the workplane as needed.
5.) Add hole feature for the key ring
- In the tool pane scroll down back up for the Round Roof shape.
- Drag the round roof anywhere on to the workplane.
- Click on the new shape and notice the arc'd rotation arrows.
- Rotate the round roof 90 degrees.
- Rotate it again 90 degrees onto it's side so that it looks like a half circle when viewed from the top (you will end up with a half cylinder shape).
- With the shape on its side, select the up pointing handle and raise it only 4mm so that it remains 1 mm below the workplane (-1 mm above the plane).
- Select the top handle and reduce the height so that it is 4mm tall.
- Select the side handles and drag to resize so that it is 14 mm long and 7 mm wide.
- Drag the half-cylinder on to the previous cylinder and line up the flat side with the letter "M"
- Take care to center the shapes as shown in the screenshot.
- Select only the half-cylinder and then click on the Hole option in the Inspector dialog box.
- The design should end up as shown in the screenshot.
6.) Group parts
- Click on the workplane and drag a selection box around all the shapes and letters.
- You may need to zoom out as needed.
- The selected items will have a blue glow indicating selection. If you missed a part, simply drag a new box until all are selected.
- With all the parts selected, click on the Group button found on the top tool bar (looks like a Mountain Icon called Group)
- Grouping the parts will join the Hole shape to the Solid shapes resulting in a cutout for the keyring.
- The design should end up as shown in the screenshot.
7.) Rename Design and Download
- With your design complete, you are now ready to download it for 3D printing or sharing as needed.
- In the upper toolbar, click on Design and then choose Properties.
- The Properties dialog box will be displayed.
- Rename the file as needed.
- Choose visibility as Public and change License options at your discretion.
- Click Save.
- Next, click on Design again, but this time choose Download.
- The Download dialog box will be displayed.
- Choose an option at your discretion. STL files are the most common file type for 3D printing.
- Save the file to your local hard drive/computer