Getting Started with Tinkercad for Adults

Let's start engaging with our kids on their terms, by understanding the tech they are learning in school, so we can play and create together.

Tinkercad is a pain-free way to create items suitable for 3d printing. Since it is taught to elementary school children as "grown-ups" we should be able to master it.

Learn how to get started with Tinkercad to design models for 3d printing. This lesson covers basic Tinkercad navigation, how to create holes in solid objects and how to align objects.

The model created in this tutorial is a PopSticks connector. PopSticks are used to connect popsicle sticks for building fun creations much like how we used to use Tinkertoys(TM).

A range of models for PopSticks connectors are available on Thingiverse at the following address:

Enjoy.
Irv

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I have reviewed the following printers or similar printers:

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Here are the 3d printer filaments I use to evaluate prints, software, and techniques:

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Some of the Woodworking products I use:

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[jamesmerritt]

Very cool. I had a fairly complex part I needed to draw but I was also new to Tinkercad, so I decided to do my model in Tinkercad as a learning experience. This was actually a cup holder that snaps into a factory console in a car so it had precise dimensions and odd protrusions and such. I was working to the .1mm scale. Surprisingly, Tinkercad is very capable. To add some chamfers in a particular location took a bit of work creating "holes" of the right shape to apply to the solid model but it was very capable of doing it. With Tinkercad I have only one major issue; I cant make point to point measurements with the ruler. Aside from that, it blows me away how simple it is for kids to learn it.

[SteveH-TN]

Thanks for sharing this information very helpful !

[MichaelStephenLordReserei]

Thank you for this. As I commented on another video, I've had my first 3D printer for a few months now, and have been leaching off of other makers/designers on Thingiverse, but want to get into designing/sharing myself. I've managed to design one or two things, that I'm trying to clean up and refine in Tinkercad. One of them is actually a display base that has channels and cutouts for those who build as well as light plastic model kits (I'm working on a couple of Star Trek kits at the moment)--I'm all about clean cable management (also build computers).

But there are a few things that I wasn't sure, or aware of. So this video as helped.

[niklaswennerstrand]

Nice production. Gears and cogs 3D print projects are always cool to watch. Maybe an idea for the future?

[johnkelley]

Yes, this was very helpful. It is similar to Inkscape so it is easy for me to understand how it works. Now I just have to make something!

[GrandpaBill]

Video Request: Embedding a part into a print: Lets say you want a T-Handle for an allen wrench.... How do you install the allen wrench 'as' it printing the handle? One of the hardest parts is installing it "Without" moving the bed or adding G-Code to home it to X0-Y0 first.

[brianlemin]

I am "very" adult (86) and I want only to make Marching bands with "human" bandsmen!. Like the Queens Guard and the bands of the Jubilee processions. Not toy-like but "sort of" scaled miniatures. I like your teaching approach and i think i could learn the creation of a modern Queens guard, then I would be away (?), just give each one an instrument! smile

Can you help please? Brian Lemin

[GrandpaBill]

You didn't have to make it a hole to see how deep the stick was in it.... you click the color chart and in the bottom right you check the 'invisible box'

[DD-wewm]

DrVax, are you a flat lander? Aka from the land of Lincoln (definitely not asking about flat earth)