3D Modeling

Welcome! Today is Monday, August 5th.

Today's Agenda

1:00 - 1:15 PM: Logging on & Ice breakers

1:15 - 2:00 PM: Tinkercad Demo

2:00 - 2:10 PM: Bio Break

2:10 - 2:20 PM: Activity Time

2:20 - 3:00 PM: Let’s Build a house

3:00 - 3:30 PM: Reflections, Saving & Sharing

Learning Objective

Today, you will learn the basics of 3D modeling using Tinkercad. We'll start by understanding what 3D modeling is and why it's important,
and then you'll get to know the Tinkercad interface and learn how to create a simple model using primitive shapes.

Skills you'll walk away with

Basic Navigation and Use of Tinkercad: You'll learn how to navigate the Tinkercad interface, including using the grid, shape library, and view controls. You'll gain the ability to move, rotate, resize, and align shapes within the workspace.
Creating and Modifying Primitive Shapes: You'll understand how to use primitive shapes as building blocks to create more complex models.
Understanding Polygons and Low-Poly Modeling: You'll learn what polygons are and how they are used to create 3D models.

Important Vocabulary

Primitive shapes: the basic building blocks used in 3D modeling. They include simple shapes like cubes (boxes), spheres (balls), cylinders (tubes), and pyramids.
Polygons and Low-Poly Modeling: A polygon is a flat, 2D shape that forms part of the surface of a 3D model. When many polygons are connected together, they create the surface of the 3D object. Low-poly modeling is a way of making 3D models using fewer polygons, resulting in a simpler look that also take up less space!
File Types (STL, OBJ, and SVG):

STL: a type of file used for 3D printing without any color or texture.
OBJ: a type of file that includes 3D geometry, color, and texture information, making it suitable for detailed models in various 3D software applications.
SVG: a vector image file type used for 2D graphics that can be scaled to any size without losing quality

Share example work or references

How to Navigate Tinkercad

These steps will help you move around and add shapes in Tinkercad.

Step 1: Log In to Tinkercad

Press the Login button at the top right of the screen
Carefully copy and paste the email address and password given to you

Step 2: Create New

Create a new 3D design project by clicking 'Create New'
Then press '3D Design'

Step 3: Import shapes from the right panel to place objects into your scene

Click on a shape in the right pane under 'basic shapes'
Drag your mouse over to the area you want to place it
Place it onto the ground (the blue grid) by clicking on the screen
You can also drag any shapes on top of another object's surface

Step 4: Move around your scene

Right click and drag around your scene (if you're using a mouse)
Double tap and drag around your scene (if you're using a trackpad)
- You can also use the control key to move around
To zoom in, scroll using your mouse wheel or swipe two fingers on your trackpad
You can zoom in on a specific object by selecting it and then pressing F on your keyboard

Step 5: Modify the shape

Select the shape you want to modify
To change its color, click on the 'solid color' icon in the dialogue box and choose your color
To change its scale, click and drag the handles (squares) around the shape or by typing in a number
You can also alter the settings in the dialogue box
- In the dialogue box, you can modify properties like width, length, and height, as well as smoothness (steps) and radius (how circular your object is)
- Keep in mind that different shapes have different parameters you can edit!

Step 6: Rotate the shape

Select the shape you want to modify
Click on the circular area to trigger the rotation feature
Drag your mouse over to the inner darker circle for a more restricted rotation based on degrees
Drag your mouse over to the outer circle for a free rotation

Step 7: To make a copy of a shape, select the shape and then press the alt or option key

Step 8: Group shapes together by clicking on multiple objects while pressing shift

Then, press command G
Note: this will turn your object into a single color

Step 9: Save your work

Make sure your work is at an angle you'd like to present it at
Click on the 'send to' icon at the top right of the screen
Press the download button
It will save as a PNG file on your computer!

A simple example of a house in Tinkercad

Create a House in Tinkercad using Basic Shapes

Tip: Make sure to zoom in and move around your screen to ensure your shapes are perfectly aligned

Step 1: Use a cube to create the structure of the house

Step 2: Use a pyramid to create the roof of the house

Step 3: Use a cylinder to create the chimney of the house

------ Bonus Steps:

Step 4: Add doors and windows to the sides of your house

Step 5: Use smaller shapes (like thin boxes or wedges) to create tiles or shingles on the roof.

Step 6: Add Trees: Drag and resize cylinders and spheres to create trees.

Step 7: Add a Pathway: Use flat, thin boxes to create a pathway leading to the house.

Step 8: Add a Fence: Use rectangular prisms to build a simple fence around the garden.

Save your work by using the 'Send To' feature and upload it to Padlet