Charli Winston

How to use Tinkercad for 3D Printing

Basic Setup:

1. Open Safari (Mac) or Open Internet Explorer (Windows PC)

2. Type in Tinkercad, in the website bar
3. Sign in or create a new account- you may also use a social network such as Google or
Facebook

For social
network sign in

4. Once logged in to your Tinkercad account, begin the tutorials to help you get to know the
software. Click the “learn” tab to open the webpage containing content for “Starters”
and “Lessons”.

The “Starters” tab provides

tutorials for how to navigate the
“workplane” as well as how to
place shapes.

The “Lessons” tab provides

tutorials that help you further
develop 3D designing skills.

Utilizing the tutorials is highly recommended!

Charli Winston

Getting Started: Setting up workspace

1. After exploring the tutorials click “Create New Design”.

2. Now you should be in the “workplane”.

Workplane grid

3. You can adjust your “grid” by clicking “edit grid”. This button is located at the bottom
right hand corner of the grid.

4. After clicking “Edit Grid” you will have the ability to change how your object is
measured during the designing process.
Charli Winston

5. On the left side of your screen you will see a cube. This cube allows you to change the
view of your “workplane”.

Click the cube and

rotate to change
“workplane” view.

Home view: allows you view entire workplane

Fit all in one view: allows you to view object in one area

Zoom In

Zoom Out

Switch between Orthographic and Perspective view

6. On the right side of the screen you will see shapes that you can use for your 3D design.

Holes create empty

spaces within the solid
shape and can be used
to create new shapes.

You can search

for more shapes
by clicking the
dropdown arrow

This allows you to

choose from a variety
of shapes to
incorporate in your
design.
Charli Winston

7. Now that you have navigated through the software and the “workplane”, you are ready
to start designing.

Please watch the screencast video for further demonstrations for the designing
process.

Using Shapes in Tinkercad (SCREENCAST VIDEO)

8. Now you may begin the designing process.

9. Once your design is complete it is ready for export

Charli Winston

Exporting for 3D Printing:

1. To export your design, click “export”, then click “.stl”, and your file will be
downloaded. Once downloaded your file will be ready for 3D printing.