Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
3D Design for the
Complete Beginner
4
Use Tinkercad to design a robot-head pencil topper in
minutes.
W
RITTEN
BY
B
LAKE
M
ALOOF
Three-dimensional printing offers exciting
applications, from art to product design to
rolling your own replacement parts. But if
you're new to this technology, the modeling
software and printer hardware can be intim-
idating. The learning curve is steep as you go
from concept to 3D model to printed object.
If only you could create a simple design on
your desktop, have it printed on a high-end
3D printer, and delivered to your door. Turns
out, you can!
Understanding Positive and
Negative Space
To utilize Tinkercad to its full potential you
need to understand the concepts of positive
and negative space. For example, you can
place a box, which represents a solid, positive
shape, and you can also place a hole, a nega-
tive shape. Holes remove any solid material
within their shape.
This will become very important when you
submit your model for printing. Because the
cost depends on the solid volume of the print,
you'll want to make the object as hollow as you
can.
Tinkercad is an intuitive, browser-based CAD
modeling application that allows you to
quickly box out your design and hit a Print
button to send it off to 3D printing services
like Shapeways or Sculpteo. You can go from
concept to ready-to-print 3D model in mi-
nutes with little to no modeling experience.
1. Create a Tinkercad
Account
To get you started and to show just how easy
it is to make something fun and unique, I'll
walk you through the process for creating a
robot-head pencil topper. All you need is a
computer with an Internet connection.
Create a
Tinkercad account
.
Then click the
“Design a New Thing” button. Tinkercad will
give your new thing a name; change it by
clicking the gear icon.
