Create digital designs that can be made real
By using an accessible, user-friendly CAD platform such as TinkerCAD, you can quickly visualize, modify, and iterate on your design concepts without the need for physical materials or extensive technical expertise.
This approach not only saves time and resources but also allows for seamless collaboration and communication with team members, clients, or stakeholders.
Some tips on prototyping with TinkerCAD
Plan your design:
Sketch your idea on paper or in a digital format to help you visualize your design and ensure that all the components will fit together.
Start simple:
Before diving into complex designs, start by creating simple shapes and structures to get familiar with the software interface and tools.
Use primitives:
Tinkercad offers a variety of basic shapes (such as cubes, cylinders, and spheres) that you can use to build your prototypes. Utilizing these primitives can save time and effort compared to creating each component from scratch.
Work in 2D first:
You can create 2D shapes and arrange them to form the basic structure of your design. This can help you understand the final product's appearance before you move on to 3D modelling.
Utilize aligning and grouping:
Use the align tool to ensure that your objects are positioned correctly in your design.
Once aligned, grouping objects together can simplify your design and make it easier to manipulate multiple components at once.
Use the grid:
Use the grid to help you align objects and create symmetrical designs.
Test fit and function:
Regularly test the fit and function of moving parts in your design to ensure everything works as intended.
Experiment with different colours and materials:
Experiment with different colours and materials that Tinkercad offers to see how they impact the appearance and functionality of your prototype.
Use the measurement tool:
Use the measurement tool to accurately size and measure your design elements to ensure they fit together correctly and function properly.
Take advantage of the community:
Tinkercad has a large community of users who are always willing to share their knowledge and provide support. Take advantage of this resource to learn new techniques and get help with your design.
Practice, practice, practice:
The more you use Tinkercad, the more comfortable you will become with its tools and capabilities. So, don't be afraid to experiment and practice with different designs to improve your skills.
Use the hole tool:
The hole tool can create openings in your objects and is a great way to make complex designs.
Learn keyboard shortcuts:
Keyboard shortcuts can save you time and help you work more efficiently.
Save and export regularly:
Save your work regularly and export your design as an STL file to be able to 3D print it or use it in other applications.
Remember, low-fidelity prototyping is a quick and easy way to test your ideas and get feedback on your designs, so don't be afraid to experiment and make mistakes. The goal is to learn and improve, so have fun and enjoy the process!