A possible future direction for Tinkercad

This page is part of the 3Dsf.info review of Tinkercad.

Tinkercad teaches kids overall 3D modelling principles like the basic concept of visualizing a three dimensional object on a flat screen, then manipulating it. Which is pretty useful. However, in addition to the limitations listed above, it teaches specific 3D design principles that aren’t actually very portable.

Most grownup CAD programs don’t really work on the basis of glomming primitive shapes together. So I don’t know if it would help or hinder someone learning how most modern 3D modelling works. Maybe if you used a direct modelling program versus a parametric one then Tinkercad's constructive solid geometry could be helpful.

But my comments here are more some ideas I'd love to see Autodesk implement. I obviously have no idea what their plans are for the product. But right now Autodesk's product portfolio is a bit awkward. Tinkercad is fun and easy to use, but massively limited. But the next step up is Fusion 360, and there’s a huge jump in complexity and difficulty of use between the two products. Tinkercad and Fusion are also based around radically different underlying object models.

No upgrade path

Tinkercad as it stands today is a kind of a dead end. There's no way to export editable files elsewhere or easily apply your newly learned skills to another program. The only reliable export option gives you non-editable STL or OBJ files, ready for a 3D printer.

Autodesk are aware of this, and have tried to position Fusion 360 as the next step up from Tinkercad. Conceptually this is a good idea. The problem is that it simply can't work today. There's too much of a gap for this to be practical for most people.

First, the export to Fusion 360 feature is not useable. And second, as noted above the UI gulf between the two programs (in terms of organization and complexity) is too great to make the leap workable for anyone but the most determined. Parametric modelling is wildly different from manipulating solids.

The solution, in my opinion, is not impossible to implement, and would be extremely valuable to both Tinkercad users and Autodesk's bottom line.

Tinkercad file import module

First, Fusion 360 needs a reliable file import module that's integrated within Fusion. This would let you navigate your Tinkercad modules from within Fusion, and click to import. The module would then import one or all projects, even those with object groups and shape generators - the latter might have to be rendered as STL-type imported blocks. This module would preserve much user investment in our projects.

Tinkercad UI compatibility module

Second, Fusion 360 needs a UI module that alters the Fusion 360 UI to one that more closely resembles Tinkercad's. The closest they have to this is a preference setting in Fusion that lets you change panning/zooming UI conventions, but that's minimal.

A true Tinkercad compatibility module would instead present a simplified Fusion 360 UI modelled after Tinkercad. It would hide the Byzantine complexity of 360 by emulating a more direct modelling approach.

For example, the UI for moving objects around would match Tinkercad's. The way you resize objects simply by grabbing a handle and resizing would be implemented, in place of Fusion 360's cumbersome “scale” functionality. And so on. Then, as users become more confident and experienced, they can explore the more complex aspects to the program.

This would be a path for Autodesk to sell their more advanced products. Tinkercad would be transformed into a gateway drug and would no longer be a road to nowhere!

Should I use Tinkercad?

So. Should you use Tinkercad? Well, if you just need an easy program to experiment with or for slapping together quick and simple projects, Tinkercad is pretty great. You can get into it with a minimum of fuss, it's reasonably fast for super simple designs, and you can output stuff to your printer with ease. Unlike proper engineering programs, which are all about planning and precision and interrelated components, Tinkercad is about direct and simple manipulation of objects.

Just keep in mind the key limits listed in the drawbacks section above. It isn't suitable for complex projects, and the lock-in factor is a serious concern.

As for me, do I use Tinkercad? Yes, for all its limitations, I do. This is mostly because the UI is simple and easy to use. It lets me get the job done much of the time.

I find all the other CAD programs I've tried very frustrating to use, though I do use Fusion 360 when I need to build an object that's too complex for Tinkercad to handle. Obviously Tinkercad is looked down at by a lot of people, since it is a program basically for kids, but I'm more interested in what's possible than what's not.

Now, I am becoming increasingly ambivalent about investing too much time and effort into building Tinkercad objects, simply because there's no way of exporting them. The very existence of my labours thus relies entirely on the caprices and good graces of Autodesk. If Autodesk were to remove legacy shape generators, or discontinue Tinkercad altogether, I would lose many years of work overnight. Needless to say this would be a disaster for me.

So for that reason I hope Autodesk decide to upgrade Tinkercad to support offline storage of editable files, and also develop closer UI and file ties to Fusion 360. I'd say that Tinkercad would have a pretty fantastic product then! It would be a perfect pipeline, guiding children and 3D CAD novices along an easy and straightforward path to becoming accomplished 3D designers. And I'd be more than willing to pay for a service that made such tasks as frictionless as possible. (free is great, but actually isn't the key sales point for me)

Other info

Tinkercad learning centre. Introductory tours, or a guide to the absolute basics.

Autodesk's Tinkercad blog. Mostly advertising but some new feature announcements. (click Tips & Tricks or Features for more useful information)

Tinkercad help centre. Not a very exhaustive knowledge base, but some basic information.

Tinkercad keyboard shortcuts.

Tinkercad community on Facebook. A user support group, not related to Autodesk.

A review of free CAD software.

COPYRIGHT

This text was written entirely by and for 3Dsf.info. Feel free to make copies for your own use, but I ask that you not repost it for download elsewhere. The reason is I'm updating these pages all the time for accuracy and development purposes. So the most up to date page should always be available at 3Dsf.info!

CONTACT

If you have any corrections or comments, feel free to drop a line:

contact@3dsf.info

Note: I am not Autodesk, and I'm afraid I'm not able to assist with problems or requests for help with Tinkercad.