If you’re new to CAD design for 3D Printing, Tinkercad is definitely the program to start with. It’s a very powerful, user-friendly platform for CAD beginners and entry-level 3D Printing enthusiasts. By manipulating shapes and then adding or subtracting them from other shapes, you can create a lot of unique things or recreate existing objects in the world.
I’ve been a 3D Printing enthusiast for many years now and it all started with Tinkercad for me. By learning the ins and outs of Tinkercad, you will not only be skilled in this particular program, but you will also have the foundational knowledge to progress and be successful at other 3D Printing programs.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Moving Object (s):
←/ ↑/ →/ ↓ = Move an object along ground plane (X/Y Plane)
ctrl+ ↑/ ↓ = Move an object up or down (Z plane)
Shift+ ←/ ↑/ →/ ↓ = Move an object 10X faster along ground plane (X/Y Plane)
ctrl+ Shift+ ↑/ ↓ = Move an object 10X faster up or down (Z plane)
Shift + drag = moves object in only one direction
D = Drop selected object(s) to workplane
Press and Hold the keyboard keys and then click/drag mouse for the below shortcuts…
Shift + Right click = Pan view
Alt+ left mouse button = Duplicate object(s)
Shift+ left mouse button = Select more than one object
Shift+ hold while rotating = 45 degree rotations
Helpful object action shortcuts…
ctrl + C = Copy an object or selected objects
ctrl+ V = Paste an object or objects
ctrl+ Z = Undo action or actions
ctrl + Y = Re-do an action or actions
ctrl + D = Duplicate object or objects in place
ctrl+ G = Group objects
ctrl+ shift+ G = Un-group grouped objects
Del = delete an object or objects
Object Options: Select object(s) and then perform the following action(s)…
T = Transparency Toggle
H = Make an object or objects a hole
S = Make an object or objects a solid
ctrl + L = Lock or unlock selected objects
ctrl + H = Make an object hidden
ctrl + shift + H = Make all hidden objects visible again
Change the size of an object:
Alt + click and drag side handle = Scale in one direction
Alt + click and drag corner handle = Scale in two directions
Shift + click and hold corner handle = Uniform Scale
Alt + Shift + click and hold corner handle = Uniform scale from center
Tools and Views
W = Create new workplane
L = Align tool
R = Ruler tool
M = Flip tool
F = A better view of selected objects
Ctrl + A = select all visible shapes
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