Tinkercad

Tinkercad is an application that allows students and teachers to create their own 3D images to print. This is great for when students want to create their own pawns , or 3D models for board games.

Begin by creating a teacher account and and getting a code that your students can use to be in your Tinkercad class. This will allow you to monitor , edit and print their project design work.

Go to the Tinkercad website and create an account. Be sure to select that you are a teacher.

Once your account is created, Click on the TEACH icon at the top right menu at get a CODE for your class. Be sure to write the CODE down so you can share it with your student.

Click on Go to the Classroom. Click on Create New Class- enter a class name and then students names. Click on the Get Code button.

You will have the students login using the code you gave them for their class.

Once you complete this process, you will be able to see all of the project designs that they save by going to the MODERATE KIDS link under your profile Name in Tinkercad.

You can then have access to Download and Print their files, or edit any file errors.

In the profile for each account add THINGIVERSE as an application accessible in Tinkercad so that you can automatically add any objects you download from Thingiverse.

Creating Designs-

Tinkercad lets you create designs for 3D printing from scratch or edit designs you download from Thingiverse

When you select the Create New Design button you will see a grid on the main portion of your screen. This is called the Work Space. It resembles the Build Plate on the printer. Each box in the Work Space is a 1mm square.

The Build Plate and Basic Tools in Tinkercad

Tinkercad panel of tools: Drag objects from the panel to the workspace to use them.

Basic Shapes- objects are made of combinations of Basic Shapes that you add together and/or subtract to make your 3D designs.

Text- gives to access to letters, numbers and words.

Menus- across the top of the Tinkercad screen

Grouping- use this tool to bring objects together by first using the SHIFT key to select multiple objects then choose Group.Also, use this tool along with the hole tool to subtract from objects.

Align- to align objects in the workspace grid. Use SHIFT to select the objects to align first.

Flip

Copy/Paste/Duplicate

Import- to access files you have downloaded from Thingiverse

Export- to send files to another application

Manipulating and object in the workspace:

Click on the object to highlight it then use the white dots to manipulate the height, width and length. IF you are adding objects together make sure their measurements are the same or in proportion.

Use the black eye dropper tool to raise the object above the work space.

Use the arrow tools to access the angle markers to rotate an object

Use the hole tool to take an object and use it to punch a hole in another object. Overlap the 2 objects and select them both with the SHIFT key . Then select the GROUP icon.

To save a project design- choose the Tinkercad icon at the Top Left side of the Tinkercad screen.

Always use the CUBE icon on the Tinkercad screen to see your object from all angles. Make sure the object is touching the grid (It’s base should be at 0).

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