Saint Ann's Summer Workshop 2014

Day 1

Stretches (9:00-9:15)
Introduction (9:15-9:30)
Introduction to TinkerCad (9:30-10:30)
Building Forms(10:45-11:30, 11:30-11:45, 11:45-12:00)
Modeling Forms (1:00-2:00)
Downloading, Slicing and Printing (2:00-2:25)
Connecting modules (2:30-3:00)

Introduction to TinkerCad

1 hour

Tinkercad is an easy-to-use tool for creating 3D models for 3D printing. It is part of the Autodesk family of products, which are free and exist to enable students, makers, and individuals from all walks of life to design and make the things they imagine.

Navigate in a web-gl enabled browser (Chrome or Firefox) to tinkercad.com
If you have not already signed up for a free account, do so now
To exit the tutorial and start experimenting, exploring and modeling click on the Tinkercad logo:
To start a new model click on Create new design
For greater precision I generally change the Snap grid value to 0.1
To add shapes, letters and numbers you drag your selection from the palette on the right over to the workplane:
You can get the dimensions of an object by moving the cursor over the nodes or handles:
You can also get and/or modify the dimensions by laying down the ruler:
You can resize your form by dragging the corner points or using the ruler and editing the field:
Dragging the corner point while holding shift will increase the X,Y and Z axis proportionally:
You can copy and paste your forms using the standard keyboard commands. When you paste, Tinkercad will move your new form to the right:
You can raise the height of your form by dragging the node below the up arrow
You can subtract shapes from each other by placing the shape you want to remove, selecting it and then clicking on the the hole icon
You can still adjust the location of the hole by dragging the form
When you want to remove the shape, drag your cursor over or Shift+Left Click on both objects (what you want to keep and what you want to remove)
When both are selected, click on Group
To view the hole, rotate with the mouse:
You can easily rotate your objects by clicking on the rotation icons:
You can move the workplane by placing it on a side of any of your forms. This allows you to add more forms on an angle:
To reset the workplane, just drag the workplane from the palette to the work area:
You can measure distances using the ruler
Place the ruler then click on objects:
To align forms, select them and click on Adjust:
Now select Align
Click on the node you would like the forms to align with:
To save the STL file, click on Design and select Download for 3D Printing:

Then select on the STL button:
Experiment, have fun, print