Tinkercad

Tinkercad is a free-of-charge, online 3D modeling program that

Tinkercad
runs in a web browser.[1] 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.[2]

History
Tinkercad was founded by former Google engineer Kai Backman
and his cofounder Mikko Mononen, with a goal to make 3D Type of site 3D modeling,
modeling, especially the design of physical items, accessible to the Computer Aided
general public, and allow users to publish their designs under a Design
Creative Commons license.[3] In 2011, the tinkercad.com website
Owner Autodesk
was launched as a web-based 3D modeling tool for WebGL-
URL www.tinkercad.com
enabled browsers,[4] and in 2012 the company moved its
(https://www.tinkerca
headquarters to San Francisco.[5] By 2012, over 100,000 3D
d.com)
designs had been published by users.[5]
Commercial Yes
In May 2013, Autodesk announced at a Maker Faire that they Registration Yes
would acquire Tinkercad.[6]
Launched 2011
In March 2017, Autodesk recommended users of the soon-to-be- Written in WebGL, JavaScript
[7]
retired 123D Sculpt migrate to Tinkercad (or Maya LT). In May,
Autodesk discontinued its 123D Circuits (Circuits.io) "Electronics Lab". The program's features were
merged into Tinkercad.[8][9][10]

Concept
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.[3] 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,[11] and also offers the ability to design structures using Lego
bricks.[12]

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,[13] 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.[14] The program offers pre-built circuits
called "Starters" or circuits that can be built using separate components. Illustration of basic
operations in Tinkercad.
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
Comparison of computer-aided design software
List of 3D printing software

References
1. Herrman, John. "How to Get Started 3D Modeling and Printing" (http://www.popularmechanic
s.com/technology/how-to/tips/how-to-get-started-3d-modeling-and-printing).
PopularMechanics.com. Hearst Communication. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2015
0129075606/http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how-to/tips/how-to-get-started-3
d-modeling-and-printing) from the original on 29 January 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
2. David Gewirtz (15 May 2019). "Everything you need to know about 3D printing and its impact
on your business" (https://www.zdnet.com/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-3d-prin
ting-and-its-impact-on-your-business/). ZDnet. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/202003
06140636/https://www.zdnet.com/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-3d-printing-and
-its-impact-on-your-business/) from the original on 6 March 2020. Retrieved 17 October
2019.
 3. Timothy Dahl (13 June 2012). "3-D Design for Idiots: An Interview With Tinkercad Founder
Kai Backman" (https://www.wired.com/2012/06/interview-with-tinkercad-founder-kai-backma
n/). Wired.com. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20170218082620/https://www.wired.co
m/2012/06/interview-with-tinkercad-founder-kai-backman/) from the original on 18 February
2017. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
4. "Tinkercad uses WebGL, a new 3D web standard" (https://web.archive.org/web/2012051405
2646/https://tinkercad.com/about/webgl). Archived from the original (https://tinkercad.com/ab
out/webgl) on 14 May 2012.
5. Kai Backman (31 August 2012). "Tinkercad largest public repository of solid models" (https://
web.archive.org/web/20191017174441/https://blog.tinkercad.com/2012/08/31/tinkercad-larg
est-public-repository-of-solid-models). Archived from the original (https://blog.tinkercad.com/2
012/08/31/tinkercad-largest-public-repository-of-solid-models) on 17 October 2019.
Retrieved 17 October 2019.
6. Nathan Hurst (18 May 2013). "Autodesk Purchases, Revives 3-D Design App Tinkercad" (htt
ps://www.wired.com/2013/05/autodesk-purchases-tinkercad/). Wired.com. Archived (https://w
eb.archive.org/web/20190609211731/https://www.wired.com/2013/05/autodesk-purchases-ti
nkercad/) from the original on 9 June 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
7. Gewirtz, David. "Do this right now to save your Autodesk 123D designs from shutdown
oblivion" (https://www.zdnet.com/article/do-this-right-now-to-save-your-autodesk-123d-desig
ns-from-shutdown-oblivion/). ZDNet. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
8. Autodesk Circuits is winding down (https://circuits.io) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/2
0180819160330/https://circuits.io/) 19 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Autodesk
9. Autodesk 123D apps (https://www.autodesk.com/solutions/123d-apps) Archived (https://web.
archive.org/web/20200527174434/https://www.autodesk.com/solutions/123d-apps) 27 May
2020 at the Wayback Machine, Autodesk
10. Electronics Lab is now Tinkercad Circuits (https://circuits.io/blog/electronics-lab-moving-to-ti
nkercad) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20180819095658/https://circuits.io/blog/elect
ronics-lab-moving-to-tinkercad) 19 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine, Autodesk, May 23,
2017
11. Brian Heater (14 August 2013). "Tinkercad lets you export 3D designs into Minecraft" (https://
www.engadget.com/2013/08/14/tinkercad-minecraft/). Engadget. Archived (https://web.archiv
e.org/web/20190210221814/https://www.engadget.com/2013/08/14/tinkercad-minecraft/)
from the original on 10 February 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
12. Donald Papp (12 September 2017). "Lego prototyping with Tinkercad's brick mode" (https://h
ackaday.com/2017/09/12/lego-prototyping-with-tinkercads-brick-mode/). Archived (https://we
b.archive.org/web/20191101211815/https://hackaday.com/2017/09/12/lego-prototyping-with-
tinkercads-brick-mode/) from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
13. "Learn how to use Tinkercad" (https://www.tinkercad.com/learn/codeblocks). Tinkercad.
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20220728143640/https://www.tinkercad.com/learn/cod
eblocks) from the original on 28 July 2022. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
14. "Getting Started with Tinkercad Circuits" (https://www.digikey.com/en/maker/blogs/2022/getti
ng-started-with-tinkercad-circuits). www.digikey.com. Digi-Key. 4 April 2022. Archived (https://
web.archive.org/web/20221203151457/https://www.digikey.com/en/maker/blogs/2022/gettin
g-started-with-tinkercad-circuits) from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 19 May
2023.

External links
Official website (https://www.tinkercad.com)
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