Participants ages 10 through adult in this 4-session workshop will explore TinkerCad, a user-friendly, free web app used by teachers, kids, hobbyists, and designers to create models that are compatible with 3D printing and laser cutting. Participants should bring their own laptops that are Internet accessible, but if a laptop is needed, please let the instructor know at least a week before the first session. Also, if you are new to Makersmiths, please complete this online waiver form: https://waiver.fr/p-NVPOj
What is TinkerCAD?
Tinkercad is based on constructive solid geometry (CSG), which allows users to create complex models by combining simpler objects together. The 3D models can be saved in three different formats, STL, OBJ, and SVG. Once a user creates a free account, the software works on any computer with an Internet connection and users can make a backup of their 3D models on the cloud. To learn more about TinkerCad, read this article:
Tinkercad: The Online Software to Start 3D Modeling
Who are the instructors? Diane Painter is a retired K12 teacher who works with Makersmiths youth using TinkerCad to design wind turbine blades for KidWind.org challenges. Lukas Burgher is a professional designer familiar with AutoCad, the company that owns TinkerCad.
We are offering a 4-session workshop on Friday afternoons from 3-4:30 pm in the Green Room at Makersmiths-Purcellville. Before the first session, please create a free personal log-in on your computer so you are ready to begin learning how to use Tinkercad. Go to https://www.tinkercad.com/join and click on the button under the words On Your Own to create a personal account. Be sure to make note of your log-in and password and have that information with you when you come to each session.
July 8 Session 1: We will learn about the user interface as well as navigation views and preferences; shape manipulation and the scaling of shapes in Tinkercad.
July 15 Session 2: We will learn to group objects, create a hole in an object, align objects and flip objects.
July 22 Session 3: We will learn about the work plane and ruler tools as well the brick and block environment. We will learn about circular patterns, linear patterns, and slicing objects.
July 29 Session 4: We will learn about importing, exporting, sharing, and downloading files. We will learn about how to prepare something we have created for printing using the 3D printers at Makersmiths-Purcellville.
Questions: Contact diane.painter@makersmiths.org
