Tinkercad was one of the first reliable web-based editors created with an eye to 3D printing, and it has continued to grow steadily over the years to being more and more capable. It has joined the Autodesk 123D series of apps.
Solid modeling — always produces a model that can be printed.
Web based with cloud storage — you can pick up on your work easily on another system.
Share your models, or even fork a version to remix and rethink to produce a new model.
Import 2D and 3D shapes.
Rulers and snapping make it easy to build to precise measurements.
Use a workplace to export a SVG slice so that you can laser cut a cross-section.
But probably my favorite feature at the in-editor “quests” that teach you all of Tinkercad’s tools quickly and efficiently. Here is handy Getting Started in Tinkercad resource as well.
Tinkercad is an easy-to-use tool for creating digital designs that are ready to be 3D printed into physical objects. Users are guided through the 3D design process through ‘Lessons’, which teach the basics before moving on to more complex modeling techniques.
Tinkercad was founded in by Kai Backman and Mikko Mononen in 2011, bringing the first browser-based 3D design platform to the masses. In June 2013 Tinkercad became part of Autodesk, joining the 123D family of products in helping students, makers, and individuals from all walks of life to design and make the things they imagine.
Adafruit publishes a wide range of writing and video content, including interviews and reporting on the maker market and the wider technology world. Our standards page is intended as a guide to best practices that Adafruit uses, as well as an outline of the ethical standards Adafruit aspires to. While Adafruit is not an independent journalistic institution, Adafruit strives to be a fair, informative, and positive voice within the community – check it out here: adafruit.com/editorialstandards
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat – we’ll post the link there.