Learning the Basics of Tinkercad: Animal Combinations

Today you will be learning the basics of how to use Tinkercad to create a simple animal mashup from different parts. It’s an easy way to learn your way around the interface, and you’ll learn how to create, modify, and export objects.

Supplies

You’ll need a computer and an internet connection.

Step 1: Create a New Project

To create a new project, simply tap the ‘create new design’ button near the top. Simple enough. After the editor is loaded, you may rename it if you like in the top left corner.

Step 2: Drag Some Objects Onto the Workplane

To make some objects, drag the objects of your choice onto the blue workplane, and use the squares on the edge to resize them. You can move them around with your mouse, and use the cube in the top left to change the camera angle. The small black cones can be used to move objects up and down relative to the workplane. Once you have constructed an animal-like mashup, you can change the colors.

Step 3: Color Your Creation

Tap on an object (or multiple objects) to select it, then tap the colored circle to bring up the color picker. From there you can change its color. See the image above. Remember to be creative and have fun with it.

Step 4: Export Your Creation

Now it’s finally time to export your beautiful mashup. Tap the export button in the top right, then tap copy link to design page, then paste (CTRL +V) it into the search bar to get to the design page. Alternatively, you can go to the homepage by clicking the Tinkercad logo, and clicking on the project. Finally, tap download and the file should start downloading. You’re done! Hooray. Now you can 3D print it, or whatever you want to do with it.