Intro to 3D Modeling with Tinkercad.com

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

This intro lesson will getting you up and running quickly with tinkercad. In this lesson you will learn how to use the base shapes called primitives to make a simple keychain design. You will also learn how to add features by removing shapes using holes. In this example, we convert a shape to a hole to add the keyring hole feature to the keychain. Lastly you will be able to download your design for 3D printing and a keychain is a great 1st part for printing since it has a flat bottom and will print relatively quickly.

1.) Login/Create Account

1. In a new browser window, go to http://www.tinkercad.com and choose SIGN IN or SIGN UP as needed.
   
2. Enter your credentials.
   
3. 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

1. Click the Create new design button
2. The page will refresh and the Tinkercad workspace will be displayed
3. Scroll down until the geometric shapes are displayed in the tool pane on the right side of the screen
4. Click the red box and drag it on to the workplane

3.) Edit shapes

1. Click on the red box to reveal the shape handles.
2. Select a corner handle and drag it to convert the square box into a rectangular box 40 mm long.
3. Select the top center handle down to reduce the box height to 2 mm tall.
4. In the tool pane, scroll to find the cylinder and drag it on to the workplane near the box.
5. Select the top center handle and reduce the cylinder's height to 2 mm tall.
6. Select and drag the cylinder so that its center lines up with the left edge of the box as shown in the screenshot.
7. Click the +/- button and the panning left/right/up/down arrows to position your view of the workplane as needed.

4.) Add Text

1. In the tool pane scroll down for individual letters.
2. You may need to expand the Letters section of the tool plane.
3. Select the letters "M" - "A" - "K" - "E" individually and drag them on to the box.
4. Position the letters as shown in the screenshot.
5. 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

1. In the tool pane scroll down back up for the Round Roof shape.
2. Drag the round roof anywhere on to the workplane.
3. Click on the new shape and notice the arc'd rotation arrows.
4. Rotate the round roof 90 degrees.
5. 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).
6. 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).
7. Select the top handle and reduce the height so that it is 4mm tall.
8. Select the side handles and drag to resize so that it is 14 mm long and 7 mm wide.
9. Drag the half-cylinder on to the previous cylinder and line up the flat side with the letter "M"
10. Take care to center the shapes as shown in the screenshot.
11. Select only the half-cylinder and then click on the Hole option in the Inspector dialog box.
12. The design should end up as shown in the screenshot.

6.) Group parts

1. Click on the workplane and drag a selection box around all the shapes and letters.
2. You may need to zoom out as needed.
3. The selected items will have a blue glow indicating selection. If you missed a part, simply drag a new box until all are selected.
4. With all the parts selected, click on the Group button found on the top tool bar (looks like a Mountain Icon called Group)
5. Grouping the parts will join the Hole shape to the Solid shapes resulting in a cutout for the keyring.
6. The design should end up as shown in the screenshot.

7.) Rename Design and Download

1. With your design complete, you are now ready to download it for 3D printing or sharing as needed.
2. In the upper toolbar, click on Design and then choose Properties.
3. The Properties dialog box will be displayed.
4. Rename the file as needed.
5. Choose visibility as Public and change License options at your discretion.
6. Click Save.
7. Next, click on Design again, but this time choose Download.
8. The Download dialog box will be displayed.
9. Choose an option at your discretion. STL files are the most common file type for 3D printing.
10. Save the file to your local hard drive/computer

8.) Next steps/Advanced Designs

1. Using the principles learned in the previous steps, try to make a nicer design similar to the one shown in this screen shot
2. Hexagonal prism and a matching hexagonal hole add a nice "maker" touch to the design.
3. Small cylinders can be used to round off the corners on the right side of the keychain's rectangles.
4. Letters and box shapes can be resized to obtain more interesting edge effects.
5. Shape colors can be changed using the Inspector dialog box.

Lesson: Intermediate Tips & Tricks

• Helper Tools: Workplane and Ruler
• Rotating on different centers
• Duplicating objects
• Aligning and Mirroring
• Fillets, radius, and chamfers
• Importing files