Tinkercad For Dummies

Tinkercad For Dummies

by Shaun C. Bryant
Released March 2018
Publisher(s): For Dummies
ISBN: 9781119464419

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Book description

Create in 3D with Tinkercad!

If you can dream it, you can create it—using Tinkercad. This free tool gives everyone the power to create 3D models, regardless of your level of experience. With the help of Tinkercad For Dummies, you’ll have the knowledge you need to plan your designs, the know-how to utilize the platform’s drag-and-drop tools to create your design, and the information you need to print or export your designs to use them elsewhere.

Tinkercad is for everyone! It’s simple enough to be used by kids and students, but robust enough that an adult could use it to create a complex product prototype. With more than 4 million designs posted in the Tinkercad community, the platform is also popular with teachers around the world. Why not join in on the fun?

  • Create your Tinkercad account and join the community
  • Use the drag-and-drop tools to build 3D images
  • Export your designs to have them 3D printed
  • Learn the principles of great 3D design
Tinkercad is truly fun for all ages, and this hands-on guide makes it faster and easier to start using it right away!

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Introduction
    1. About This Book
    2. Foolish Assumptions
    3. Icons Used in This Book
    4. Beyond the Book
    5. Where to Go from Here
  3. Part 1: Getting Started with Tinkercad
    1. Chapter 1: Exploring 3D Design
      1. What Is 3D Modeling?
      2. Comparing 3D to 2D Methods
      3. Discovering Model Representation
      4. Looking at the Modeling Process
      5. Recognizing the 3D Model Market
      6. Exploring 3D Printing
      7. Using 3D Printed Models
      8. Using Tinkercad in 3D Modeling
    2. Chapter 2: Introducing Tinkercad
      1. Visiting the Tinkercad Website
      2. Creating a Tinkercad Account
      3. Logging in to Your New Account
      4. Launching a New Tinkercad Design
    3. Chapter 3: Taking a Tour of Tinkercad
      1. Viewing Recent Designs
      2. Choosing Options and Settings
      3. ‘Tinkering’ with Tinkercad
      4. Finding the Right Help
      5. Tweeting on Twitter
      6. Browsing the Gallery
      7. Reading the Tinkercad Blog
    4. Chapter 4: Exploring the User Interface
      1. Venturing Away from the Start screen
      2. Viewing the Tinkercad ViewCube
      3. Using the Viewing Tools
      4. Working with the Tinkercad Grid
      5. Speeding Things Up by Using Keyboard Shortcuts
    5. Chapter 5: Exploring 3D Tools in Tinkercad
      1. Copy and Paste
      2. Duplicate
      3. Hide
      4. Show All
      5. Group
      6. Ungroup
      7. Align
      8. Flip
      9. Workplane
      10. Ruler
      11. Tinkercad Basic Shapes
      12. Community Shapes
  4. Part 2: Creating a Simple Nameplate for Your Office
    1. Chapter 6: Creating the Baseplate
      1. Starting and Saving a New Project
      2. Setting Up Your Project
      3. Creating a Blank Design
      4. Choosing Public or Private Access
      5. Choosing Design Properties
      6. Deciding on Licensing
      7. Using the Workplane
      8. Using Basic Shapes
    2. Chapter 7: Giving the Baseplate Depth
      1. Using the ViewCube
      2. Working on Different Faces
      3. Choosing a Shape for the Indent
      4. Checking Object Position Using the Grid
      5. Picking a Face to Work
      6. Setting the Depth
      7. Grouping and Ungrouping
    3. Chapter 8: Adding Your Name as Text
      1. Getting to the Right View
      2. Adding Your Text
      3. Choosing a Cool Font
      4. Smoothing the Edges with Bevels and Segments
    4. Chapter 9: Cutting Holes to Mount the Nameplate
      1. Choosing a Shape for the Hole
      2. Getting into Position
      3. Getting in the Right View
      4. Moving the Nameplate to a Grid Intersection
      5. Positioning the Box Accurately
      6. Changing Your View to Assess Height
      7. Altering the Box to Suit the Nameplate
      8. Adjusting the Height
      9. Adding the Hole
      10. Copying the Hole
      11. Grouping and Ungrouping
  5. Part 3: Building Your First Skyscraper, in Miniature
    1. Chapter 10: Creating the Building Footprint
      1. The Basic Floor Plan: Keeping It Simple
      2. Getting (Your Floor Plan) in Shape
    2. Chapter 11: Developing the Ground Floor
      1. Preparing to Add Your Wallls
      2. Adding Walls
      3. Using Hide to Your Advantage
      4. Adding Windows to the Front View
      5. Adding Windows to the Other Elevations
      6. Adding the Ceiling
      7. Grouping the Shapes
    3. Chapter 12: Copying the Floors as You Build
      1. Copying Floor Elements
      2. Getting the Placement of the Floors Right
      3. Adding More Floors
    4. Chapter 13: Adding the Roof to Stop the Rain
      1. Picking the Right Shape for Your Roof
      2. Getting the Right Depth for Your Roof
      3. Adding the Curved Roof Edge
    5. Chapter 14: The Sky’s the Limit: Adding a Helipad
      1. Getting to the Right View
      2. Choosing Your H
      3. Changing the Text Settings
      4. Getting the H to Fit the Roof
      5. Adding the Finishing Touches
  6. Part 4: Making It Happen: 3D Printing Your Designs
    1. Chapter 15: Getting Started with 3D Printing
      1. Verifying That You Included Everything
      2. Tidying Up Your Design
      3. Knowing What Type of File to Export
      4. Choosing a Printing Option
    2. Chapter 16: 3D Printing Selected Shapes
      1. Selecting Specific Shapes from Your Design
      2. 3D Printing Each Piece to Build It Later
      3. Printing Your Design
    3. Chapter 17: STL Files
      1. What Is an STL file?
      2. Downloading as an STL File
    4. Chapter 18: OBJ Files
      1. What Is an OBJ File?
      2. Downloading as an OBJ file
    5. Chapter 19: SVG Files
      1. What Is an SVG File?
      2. Downloading as an SVG file
  7. Part 5: The Part of Tens
    1. Chapter 20: Ten Great 3D Printing Materials
      1. Choosing a Material
      2. Nylon (Polyamide)
      3. ABS (Home Printers)
      4. Resin (Multiple Options)
      5. Resin (Paintable)
      6. Stainless Steel
      7. Gold
      8. Silver
      9. Titanium
      10. Ceramic
      11. Gypsum
    2. Chapter 21: Ten Great 3D Printers
      1. Factors to Consider When Choosing a 3D Printer
      2. Ultimaker: Ultimaker 2+
      3. Formlabs: Form 2
      4. Zortrax: Zortrax M200
      5. Makergear: Makergear M2
      6. Aleph Objects: LulzBot TAZ 6
      7. BCN3D Technologies: BCN3D Sigma
      8. FlashForge: FlashForge Creator Pro
      9. Prusa Research: Original Prusa i3 MK2S
      10. SeeMeCNC: Rostock Max
      11. PrintrBot: PrintrBot Simple Pro
    3. Chapter 22: Ten 3D Applications
      1. Autodesk: 3D Studio Max
      2. Autodesk: Maya
      3. Autodesk: Inventor
      4. Autodesk: Fusion 360
      5. Smith Micro Software: Poser
      6. CLO Virtual Fashion: Marvelous Designer
      7. CLO Virtual Fashion: CLO3D
      8. EFI: Optitex
      9. Trimble: SketchUp
      10. Blender Foundation: Blender
  8. About the Author
  9. Advertisement Page
  10. Connect with Dummies
  11. Index
  12. End User License Agreement

Product information

  • Title: Tinkercad For Dummies
  • Author(s): Shaun C. Bryant
  • Release date: March 2018
  • Publisher(s): For Dummies
  • ISBN: 9781119464419