Getting Started with Tinkercad

INTRODUCTION

Tinkercad is an easy-to-use tool for creating 3D models for 3D printing. It is part of the Autodesk family of products, which are not only free, but exist to enable students, makers, and individuals from all walks of life to design and make the things they imagine.

1. Navigate in a web-gl enabled browser (Chrome or Firefox) totinkercad.com

2. Sign in or, if you have not already signed up for a free account, do so now.

3. To exit the tutorial and start experimenting, exploring and modeling click on the Tinkercad logo. Then, start a new model by clicking on Create new design.

Getting Started with Tinkercad

4. For greater precision, toggle the Snap grid value between 0.1 and 1.0

5. To add shapes, letters and numbers you drag your selection from the palette on the right over to the workplane. Drag a box onto your workplane.

Getting Started with Tinkercad

6. Find the dimensions of your box by moving the cursor over the nodes or handles as shown.

 7. You can also get and/or modify the dimensions by laying down the ruler. Record the

dimensions of your box.

8. Resize your form by dragging the corner points (nodes) AND using the ruler editing the field.

Getting Started with Tinkercad

9. Resize your box by dragging the corner node while holding shift. This will increase the X,Y and Z axis proportionally:

10.You can copy and paste your forms using the standard keyboard commands. When you paste, Tinkercad will move your new form to the right. Copy (CTRL + C) and paste (CTRL + V) your box on the workplane as shown below.

11.Raise the height of your form by dragging the node below the cone.

Getting Started with Tinkercad

12.You can subtract shapes from each other by placing the shape you want to remove, selecting it and then clicking on the the hole icon. Try it!

13.You can still adjust the location of the hole by dragging the form

14.When you want to remove the shape, drag your cursor over or Shift+Left Click on both objects (what you want to keep and what you want to remove).

Getting Started with Tinkercad

15.When both are selected, click on Group.

16.To view the hole, rotate with the mouse:

17.Tinkercad's rotate tool allows you to change the angle of your model or part of your model along the x, y or z axis. 

Tinkercad allows you to choose your resolution by providing three rings. Once you start the rotation you can move your mouse over the appropriate band. The center band allows you to adjust the rotation by full degrees. The inner band adjusts the angle in increments of 22.5° (half of 45°) and the outer band allows you the most precision. 

Rotate your objects by clicking on the rotation icons and then selecting the band:

Getting Started with Tinkercad

18.You can move the workplane by placing it on a side of any of your forms. This allows you to add more forms on an angle:

19.Reset the workplane by dragging the workplane from the palette to the work area:

20.Tinkercad's Align tool allows you to align multiple objects.  Add another box to the workplane.

To use the Align tool, select at least two objects by Shift + left-clicking on them or by dragging a box around them. Once selected click on the Adjust Option at the top. Then select Align and move your mouse over a node to preview the move. Click the node to align the objects. 

Getting Started with Tinkercad

 21.When you are ready to print your object, click on the Design menu and

select Properties.

22.Rename your file and save the changes

23.From the Design menu select Download for 3D Printing and select .STL:

Your turn! Explore the sidebar and create your own design!