Using Tinkercad Without a 3D-Printer

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So you’ve been seeing my posts about Tinkercad? Or maybe you haven’t because you skip over them due to the fact you don’t have a 3-D printer? I’m here to tell you - you DO NOT need a 3D-printer to use this tool!

So let’s back it up.

Why do we use Tinkercad? Well it’s a computer aided design system that people use to design prototypes in 3D. Are you wondering, again, how is this helpful?

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Let’s think. As teachers what is one of our most important jobs? To prepare our students for future careers!

That career could very well include an architect, engineer, construction management, or drafter. What do all of these professions have in common? They create or use small scale, 3D prototypes to design their large scale projects. And it is up to us as teachers to introduce students to these types of professions through project based learning. And the best part - these professions design in 3D, but they don’t necessarily print their design with a 3D-printer. Instead they use the computer to simulate and modify their design.

By utilizing Tinkercad without a 3D-printer, you can do the same thing! Students can design and modify their design to present to a small group or the whole class to discuss how their prototype in fact matches the requirements needed for the final product. It will lead to discussions on various view-points as the presenter can rotate their prototype on the computer, whether the prototype is to scale, what would happen if it was printed, and so much more.

You see, the 3D-printing is just an added bonus. The real learning comes from using the design program, working through the struggles of creating the prototype, and the discussion that comes after the prototype is completed on Tinkercad.

So don’t wait for a 3D-printer to start using Tinkercad because your students are missing out on valuable learning!

Explore more on the Tinkercad website.

Do you want to learn more about what exactly Tinkercad is? Then check out my blog post - Tinkercad.

Do you want to see how I’ve been using 3D-printing to help my local hospitals during Covid-19? Then read my post - 3D-Printing for the Community.

Are your students beginners at using Tinkercad and you don’t know where to start? Then you won’t want to miss my blog post - Tinkercad Projects for Beginners.