tinkercad
{{Short description|Browser-based 3D modeling program}}
{{use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox website
| name = Tinkercad
| logo = File:Logo-tinkercad-wordmark.svg
| logo_size = 200px
| logo_alt = Tinkercad logo watermark
| screenshot = File:Schuifmaat bottom mechaniek.png
| collapsible =
| collapsetext =
| background =
| screenshot_size = 200px
| screenshot_alt = Tinkercad screenshot
| caption =
| url = {{URL|https://www.tinkercad.com}}
| commercial = Yes
| type = 3D modeling, Computer Aided Design
| registration = Yes
| language =
| num_users =
| content_license =
| programming_language = WebGL, JavaScript
| owner = Autodesk
| launch_date = 2011
| revenue =
| current_status =
| footnotes =
}}
Tinkercad is a free-of-charge, online 3D modeling program that runs in a web browser.{{cite web|last=Herrman|first=John|title=How to Get Started 3D Modeling and Printing|url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/tips/how-to-get-started-3d-modeling-and-printing|work=PopularMechanics.com|publisher=Hearst Communication|access-date=19 May 2013|archive-date=29 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129075606/http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/tips/how-to-get-started-3d-modeling-and-printing|url-status=live}} Since it became available in 2011 it has become a popular platform for creating models for 3D printing as well as an entry-level introduction to constructive solid geometry in schools.{{cite news |author=David Gewirtz |date=15 May 2019 |title=Everything you need to know about 3D printing and its impact on your business |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-3d-printing-and-its-impact-on-your-business/ |publisher=ZDnet |access-date=17 October 2019 |archive-date=6 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200306140636/https://www.zdnet.com/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-3d-printing-and-its-impact-on-your-business/ |url-status=live }}
History
Tinkercad was founded by former Google engineer Kai Backman and his cofounder Mikko Mononen, with a goal to make 3D modeling, especially the design of physical items, accessible to the general public, and allow users to publish their designs under a Creative Commons license.{{cite web |author=Timothy Dahl |title=3-D Design for Idiots: An Interview With Tinkercad Founder Kai Backman |url=https://www.wired.com/2012/06/interview-with-tinkercad-founder-kai-backman/ |website=Wired.com |date=13 June 2012 |access-date=17 October 2019 |archive-date=18 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218082620/https://www.wired.com/2012/06/interview-with-tinkercad-founder-kai-backman/ |url-status=live }} In 2011, the tinkercad.com website was launched as a web-based 3D modeling tool for WebGL-enabled browsers,{{cite web |title=Tinkercad uses WebGL, a new 3D web standard |url=https://tinkercad.com/about/webgl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514052646/https://tinkercad.com/about/webgl |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-05-14 }} and in 2012 the company moved its headquarters to San Francisco.{{cite web |author=Kai Backman |title=Tinkercad largest public repository of solid models |url=https://blog.tinkercad.com/2012/08/31/tinkercad-largest-public-repository-of-solid-models |date=31 August 2012 |access-date=17 October 2019 |archive-date=17 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017174441/https://blog.tinkercad.com/2012/08/31/tinkercad-largest-public-repository-of-solid-models |url-status=dead }} By 2012, over 100,000 3D designs had been published by users.
In May 2013, Autodesk announced at a Maker Faire that they would acquire Tinkercad.{{cite web |author=Nathan Hurst |title=Autodesk Purchases, Revives 3-D Design App Tinkercad |url=https://www.wired.com/2013/05/autodesk-purchases-tinkercad/ |website=Wired.com |date=18 May 2013 |access-date=17 October 2019 |archive-date=9 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609211731/https://www.wired.com/2013/05/autodesk-purchases-tinkercad/ |url-status=live }}
In March 2017, Autodesk recommended users of the soon-to-be-retired 123D Sculpt migrate to Tinkercad (or Maya LT).{{Cite web|last=Gewirtz|first=David|title=Do this right now to save your Autodesk 123D designs from shutdown oblivion|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/do-this-right-now-to-save-your-autodesk-123d-designs-from-shutdown-oblivion/|access-date=2020-10-28|website=ZDNet|language=en}} In May, Autodesk discontinued its 123D Circuits (Circuits.io) "Electronics Lab". The program's features were merged into Tinkercad.[https://circuits.io Autodesk Circuits is winding down] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819160330/https://circuits.io/ |date=19 August 2018 }}, Autodesk[https://www.autodesk.com/solutions/123d-apps Autodesk 123D apps] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527174434/https://www.autodesk.com/solutions/123d-apps |date=27 May 2020 }}, Autodesk[https://circuits.io/blog/electronics-lab-moving-to-tinkercad Electronics Lab is now Tinkercad Circuits] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819095658/https://circuits.io/blog/electronics-lab-moving-to-tinkercad |date=19 August 2018 }}, Autodesk, May 23, 2017
Concept
File:TinkerCad Basic Operations Infographic.jpg
Tinkercad uses a simplified constructive solid geometry method of constructing models. A design is made up of primitive shapes that are either "solid" or "hole". Combining solids and holes together, new shapes can be created, which in turn can be assigned the property of solid or hole. In addition to the standard library of primitive shapes, a user can create custom shape generators using a built-in JavaScript editor.
File formats
Shapes can be imported in three formats: STL and OBJ for 3D, and 2-dimensional SVG shapes for extruding into 3D shapes. Tinkercad exports models in STL or OBJ formats, ready for 3D printing.
Tinkercad also includes a feature to export 3D models to Minecraft Java Edition,{{cite web |author=Brian Heater |title=Tinkercad lets you export 3D designs into Minecraft |url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/08/14/tinkercad-minecraft/ |website=Engadget |date=14 August 2013 |access-date=17 October 2019 |archive-date=10 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210221814/https://www.engadget.com/2013/08/14/tinkercad-minecraft/ |url-status=live }} and also offers the ability to design structures using Lego bricks.{{cite web | author=Donald Papp | title=Lego prototyping with Tinkercad's brick mode | url=https://hackaday.com/2017/09/12/lego-prototyping-with-tinkercads-brick-mode/ | date=12 September 2017 | access-date=1 November 2019 | archive-date=1 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101211815/https://hackaday.com/2017/09/12/lego-prototyping-with-tinkercads-brick-mode/ | url-status=live }}
Tinkercad also has the option to test designs in "sim lab" using axle, motor, joint, and slider connectors, and simulates gravity.
Circuits
Tinkercad's Circuits section is a browser-based electronic circuit simulator that supports Arduino Uno microcontrollers, Micro:bit boards, or ATtiny chips. Code can be created using graphical CodeBlocks,{{Cite web |title=Learn how to use Tinkercad |url=https://www.tinkercad.com/learn/codeblocks |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Tinkercad |archive-date=28 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728143640/https://www.tinkercad.com/learn/codeblocks |url-status=live }} pieces of code that can be easily arranged with the mouse, or text-based code. Digi-Key praised Tinkercad in a 2022 article for its intuitive and fast tool capabilities, making it ideal for beginners.{{cite web |title=Getting Started with Tinkercad Circuits |url=https://www.digikey.com/en/maker/blogs/2022/getting-started-with-tinkercad-circuits |website=www.digikey.com |publisher=Digi-Key |access-date=19 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203151457/https://www.digikey.com/en/maker/blogs/2022/getting-started-with-tinkercad-circuits |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |language=en |date=April 4, 2022 |url-status=live}} The program offers pre-built circuits called "Starters" or circuits that can be built using separate components.
Tinkercad comes with built-in libraries for popular components, including the Adafruit Neopixel, Arduino Servo, and I2C display libraries. However, custom libraries cannot be selected or uploaded. The simulator also supports analog components that are fully simulated.
Despite being an entry-level tool for programming and electronics, Tinkercad offers advanced features such as multi-board simulation and complex analog circuits for experienced users.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.tinkercad.com}}
{{CAD software}}
{{Autodesk products}}