Designing for digital fabrication is easier than ever. Using design software you can create designs to fabricate on a 3D printer, laser cutter, craft cutter, or WaterColor Bot!
Watch the video to learn how to get started!
TIP: Work through the Lessons on Tinkercad to learn all you can. They are really, REALLY helpful!.
Getting Started with Digital Design
Visit Tinkercad.com and Login with your HKIS Google account to get started.
When you are ready for more, view the tutorial videos below to make your first digital fabrication designs.
Making an Design folder for your projects
Create a design
Aligning, duplicating, grouping, and more!
Creating Your First Design
You can create just about anything in a digital environment. Get creative and have fun!
When you are ready to design something to fabricate, watch the video to learn some techniques important for fabrication.
Create a Design Folder
Getting your designs from your computer to the fabrication machines in the IDEA Studio is a snap.
Watch and follow this video guide to help you organize your files and share them with the IDEA Studio for fabrication.
Preparing for Fabrication
3D Printing
Our 3D printers all use the .STL file format to print designs.
You will need to export your file in the .STL file format from your design software (i.e. - Tinkercad.com) 3D printers require the use of "slicing" software and the .STL format is what it uses to generate the code for the 3D printer.
tinkercad_export_files.movLaser Cutting
Our laser cutter can cut, etch or engrave your designs on a variety of materials.
To laser cut, etch, or engrave a design you need to export your file in the .SVG file format. The SVG file format is necessary for the software to read your file.
Next Level Techniques
View the tutorial here to learn how to take your designs to the next level. You will learn more about:
working in 3D environments
complex construction