Lesson 1: Quick Starters

1. Sign up for a free account on Tinkercad. Complete the 7 Starters linked below.

   • Note: I highly recommend using a mouse anytime you are working in Tinkercad due to the need to navigate all three dimensions.

2. Starters: https://www.tinkercad.com/learn/project-gallery;collectionId=OPC41AJJKIKDWDV

Lesson 2: Basics Skills

Complete the 4 Lessons linked below.

https://www.tinkercad.com/learn/project-gallery;collectionId=O2C1PXBIQ2KHCOD

Lesson 3: Navigating Planes

Watch this video.: https://youtu.be/n1NYU8xeoBE

Your goal for this lesson is to practice movement in the planes and ensure you understand what it means when designing for the different layers to 'lay flat' when touching.

If not, when you try to print a piece, the printer will try to "print in the air" and you'll get a lot of plastic in a pile.

Lesson 4: Make a Key Chain

After completing the Tinkercad tutorials listed above in lessons 1-3, design a key chain that includes your name, initials, or something you love / are interested in. Feel free to be creative and use any shape you'd like as your background!

Watch this introduction video: https://youtu.be/aEZOlcSzm58

Some notes:

• Your Tinkercad 3D plane is directly proportional to the size of my print bed in the 3D printer: Build volume X-Y-Z: 6.7” x 6.3” x 5.7 (approximates)

• His suggestions for size in the video are a good size to start with. Feel free to make slightly larger depending on the shape background you use but if you want it keychain sized, use approximately what he suggests.

• Using different colors for your layers when you design your keychain will help when creating but keep in mind my printer can only print in one solid color.

Lesson 5: The Shape Generator

For this lesson you will be expanding your skills and utilizing your creativity! Watch this 7 minute video: https://youtu.be/Bd0izzgk8Nw

Lesson 6: Create a Graphic

Your next task is to find a graphic online and turn it into a file that is compatible with Tinkercad.

This involves a few steps because if you were to try and give the 3D printer a picture file (JPG, PNG, GIF, etc), the 3D printer software would not be able to read the file. This is why we use Tinkercad to make STL files which are compatible.

Watch this video to learn how to import a picture into Tinkercad: https://youtu.be/NN8jvzm7D8s

• Note: In the video he mentions which pictures are good to choose vs. which are not. A picture you choose that has clear, distinct lines will work great. A photo someone has taken will not work will because the lines will not be clear enough.

• Example: A hand drawn or computer drawing of your dog would convert great - how fun would that be! A doggie keychain. A picture taken with your phone will not have clear enough lines to convert unfortunately.

Lesson 7: Overhangs & Supports

What is overhang in 3D printing?

• Watch the first 2 minutes of this video to understand why certain angles need "supports" when 3D printing a file. Note: If you need a little help understanding, feel free to turn on subtitles.

Support Structures Explained

• Watch the first 4 minutes of this video which explains how supports work and why they are needed.

• Note: My printer uses PLA plastic.