E-Book, Englisch, 418 Seiten
Erdreich Taking Tinkercad to the Next Level
1. Auflage 2025
ISBN: 978-1-83546-830-2
Verlag: De Gruyter
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: 0 - No protection
Enhance your ability to design, model, and 3D print with one of the most intuitive CAD programs
E-Book, Englisch, 418 Seiten
ISBN: 978-1-83546-830-2
Verlag: De Gruyter
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: 0 - No protection
Discover the user-friendly interface and versatility of Tinkercad and find out how it's revolutionizing digital creation. This comprehensive guide explores Tinkercad's 3D design features, equipping you with the skills to harness its full potential for advanced projects and creations. Written by a patented inventor and Tinkercad expert with over a decade of experience in technology education, this book offers an accessible, yet thorough approach to mastering Tinkercad for users of all levels.
You'll enhance your 3D design skills as you delve into professional modeling topics and techniques in Tinkercad. As you progress, you'll build your skills by mastering essential tools for 3D modeling, such as technical drawings and measurement methods, paving the way for efficient constructive solid geometry abilities. Advanced Tinkercad modeling techniques, including ruler and workplane tools, patterns, and shape generators, will guide you in bringing your designs to life through 3D printing. You'll also learn about advanced concepts such as tolerances, dimensions, material choice, and practical applications with step-by-step guides for creating items like threaded containers, puzzles, phone cases, and more.
By the end of the book, you'll be proficient in crafting intricate designs ready for successful production through 3D printing.
Autoren/Hrsg.
Weitere Infos & Material
1
Tinkercad, an Innovative Approach to 3D Design
Tinkercad launched in 2011 as an entirely new way to create 3D designs. Owned by Autodesk, one of the largest computer-aided design (CAD) companies in the business, Tinkercad now has over 80 million users worldwide. But unlike other CAD programs, Tinkercad allows users to create 3D models through an intuitive approach. Designing in Tinkercad feels more like working with toy blocks rather than traditional methods, but without losing the ability to create uniquely incredible designs.
Figure 1.1: A 3D design created in Tinkercad that resembles toy blocks
If you already have some experience in using Tinkercad to create 3D designs, this book is for you. In this chapter, we will identify key terms that you need to know in order to find success with Tinkercad. This includes identifying the key features of Tinkercad through the following topics:
- Creating in Tinkercad
- Who is Tinkercad for?
- Exploring 3D Design, Circuits, and Codeblocks
By the end of this chapter, you will not only know how to create unique 3D designs in Tinkercad but also begin to understand just what is possible through this innovative CAD program.
Technical requirements
To access and use Tinkercad, you must have a computer or tablet with internet access. Tinkercad is web-based, meaning that it works on nearly all devices through a web browser, but it also always requires an internet connection.
You will also need to create an account to access Tinkercad. Making an Autodesk account is free, or you can sign in using a supported account such as Google. Visit www.tinkercad.com to access Tinkercad.
After creating a Tinkercad account, the projects shown throughout this chapter can be found through the following links:
- https://www.tinkercad.com/things/9UhmtgE9MxX-tinkercad-blocks
- https://www.tinkercad.com/things/71OAQjEcvOJ-elephant-zoo-model
- https://www.tinkercad.com/things/9y2ztmyuIit-roses-in-a-vase-example
- https://www.tinkercad.com/things/iuk0xmm6FP5-vise
- https://www.tinkercad.com/things/kPUp0PzIz3I-simple-sim-lab-catapult-example
- https://www.tinkercad.com/things/ltY5DPR74DR-toy-house-example-model
- https://www.tinkercad.com/things/8s9EUXuKcXU-sample-sensor-servo-circuit-with-microbit
- https://www.tinkercad.com/things/1LVeapRNLZu-electronic-prototype-project
- https://www.tinkercad.com/codeblocks/9hkP7aUUIQ2-vase-semana-13-al-17-sep
Creating in Tinkercad
CAD has changed the way things are created across nearly every industry. Through a wide range of computer applications, professional designers and engineers use CAD software to create the products we buy, houses we live in, or even the movies we watch.
Tinkercad is different because it makes these opportunities available to everyone, including you! Through its free and web-based platform, users on almost any device in any location can use Tinkercad to create models, parts, simulations, circuits, programs, and more, all without needing a specific type of computer or expensive subscription.
But what also differs is what we can create. Many CAD programs serve one purpose, such as making an architectural model of a home or designing furniture. Tinkercad allows the user to make just about anything within a common space, as shown in and .
In , we see that there are sidewalks, trees, animals, and concession stands presented in a 3D space:
Figure 1.2: A model of an elephant zoo
By combining basic geometric shapes, Tinkercad allows you to create complex designs by grouping and scaling different shapes together. We will dive deeper into these methods in .
As seen in , we can also use Tinkercad to create everyday objects, such as a vase:
Figure 1.3: A model of a vase with flowers
The diversity of what’s possible to be created in Tinkercad is one of its strongest features. And because of this, it is not possible to predict what you will be able to create using the knowledge and skills gained in this book, which I find to be incredibly exciting!
Tinkercad also allows you to make your 3D designs real by exporting models to be manufactured using production techniques, such as 3D printing. It’s important to understand that there are limitations and constraints to this. Nearly anything is possible when working in a digital space, from flowers to elephants, but there are many mechanical constraints to consider once we look at manufacturing our designs. For example, you may want to make a large vase with a diameter of 200 millimeters, but your 3D printer is only 150 millimeters wide. Or you may find yourself looking to create small parts that are too delicate or detailed for your 3D printer to reproduce as they are designed in CAD.
Throughout this book, we not only consider how to create amazing designs in Tinkercad but also strategies for effective 3D modeling, which can be successfully manufactured using 3D printing production techniques, too. And because Tinkercad’s unique design features and tools are suitable for a wide range of users, just about anyone can bring their ideas to life using Tinkercad.
Who is Tinkercad for?
The short answer is everyone. As mentioned, Tinkercad is an incredibly easy program to access making it suitable for a wide range of communities, schools, DIYers, and professionals alike. Because of the intuitive nature of the user interface, Tinkercad is often used by young creators who have never created with CAD before.
However, all users who are new to CAD could benefit from the simplicity of creation through Tinkercad’s interface, regardless of age. Learning to design in 3D can be challenging at first, and using a simple program allows for all users to become proficient faster. Many also may think that Tinkercad can’t be used for complex creations, which isn’t the case.
As shown in , you can use Tinkercad to create multi-part designs using specific dimensions, or measurements, using the Ruler tool:
Figure 1.4: A multi-part vise with the Ruler tool shown
You can also import existing 3D designs or 2D images into Tinkercad, which allows you to use simple design features to make truly unique creations. This is our goal, and we will be covering these advanced techniques in detail throughout this book.
So who is Tinkercad really for then?
Not just beginners or young creators but everyone who is looking for a simple and intuitive way to bring their own unique ideas to life.
Tinkercad also allows you to share designs to edit or collaborate with another user in real time. As shown in , users can press the Invite button to share a collaborative URL with a colleague:
Figure 1.5: Sharing a Tinkercad design
By sharing our designs, multiple users who may be working in a team will be able to view, edit, and apply feedback within a single design space. It’s important to note that the link created is public, meaning that any user who obtains this link can not only view but also edit your design. You can also set your designs to be public, which will allow any Tinkercad user to search for and make copies of your designs.
So far, we’ve looked at some general features and capabilities for creating 3D designs and models in Tinkercad, but this is just one aspect of the program. We need to explore a little deeper to really consider what’s possible using Tinkercad!
Exploring 3D Design, Circuits, and Codeblocks
It’s important to identify that Tinkercad is really three different applications combined into one platform. You can access all three of these applications from the same website using the same account, and you will see the options to create within these three spaces by pressing the Create button (see ).
Figure 1.6: Options to create a new design in Tinkercad
In this section, you will learn about the differences between Tinkercad’s three different applications, as well as when you might want to consider using one over the other. Two things that all three of these applications have in common are that they automatically save your work as you create, and your...
