1.3 TinkerCAD Workbench

TinkerCAD guide

1.3.1 Model Creation

When you open a design or create a new design, you will be taken to the Workplane where you can start creating your model.

Figure 3: Workplane layout

The following is an overview of the main sections that will be used when creating models:

Design Title: The design title should include the name and location of the room so that you can easily identify the floorplan that is being modelled. You can modify the title by clicking on the existing title and typing in a new title.
Workplane: The model can be built on this surface. Height dimensions are measured with respect to this plane. The grid lines provide reference for measurements and assist with aligning objects.
View Settings: There are several methods and tools that can be used to manipulate the view of the model. With a mouse, you can rotate the view about the center of the screen by holding the right click button and moving the mouse. To move the view, hold the ‘scroller’ on your mouse and move the mouse. You can also zoom in or out with the ‘scroller’. The tools available on the left of the screen can assist with manipulating the view as well.
- View Cube: You can rotate the view by rotating the ‘view cube’ or selecting a specific edge, corner, or face on the ‘view cube’.
- Home: This button resets the view to the default perspective which is angling down from the front face.
- Fit All In View: When there are objects on the workplane, this button will adjust the zoom to fit all the objects in your view.
- Plus: This button zooms into the centre of the view.
- Minus: This button zooms out from the centre of the view.
- Perspective: This button toggles the view between the ‘Perspective View’ and the ‘Orthographic View’. We suggest using the ‘Perspective View’ for a more natural view.
Grid Settings: You can change the units of measurement, the size of the workplane, and grid snapping settings with these two buttons.
- Edit Grid: This button opens the ‘Grid properties’ dialog box where you can change the units of measurement using the drop-down menu and modify the size of the workplane by changing the dimensions of the ‘Width’ and ‘Length’. We suggest keeping the units in ‘Millimeters’ while treating the measurement as ‘Feet’. This will prevent the model from becoming too large.
- Snap Grid: This sets the increment of movement when dragging the objects. The dimensions of objects also change in the same increments when using the vertices to adjust their size. You can change the snap grid using the drop-down menu.
Object Tools: These buttons provide additional features in the manipulation of objects.
- Lightbulb: When objects have been selected to be ‘hidden’, this button will ‘unhide’ them, making all objects placed on the workplane visible.
- Group: Multiple objects can be grouped together to create a new shape. To do this, merge the objects to create a desired shape. Then, select all the objects in that group and click this button. The objects will merge together to become one object.
- Ungroup: Objects that were merged together using the ‘Group’ button can be separated. You can do so by selecting the object and clicking this button. The objects will unmerged and can be manipulated separately.
- Align: This button helps align multiple objects. Select the objects you want to align and click this button. Several alignment options will appear with a preview of the final position. Once you select the alignment option, the objects will automatically move to the previewed position.
- Mirror: This button flips the orientation of the object about a particular axis. After clicking this button, ‘mirroring’ options will appear with a preview of the final position. Once you select the option, the object will reposition according to the preview.
Collaboration: This button enables the collaboration feature. Refer the Design Sharing section for more information.
Export: Once your model is complete, you can download the model by clicking this button. Refer to the Exporting section for more information.
Tools: The following three tools assist in the overall modelling process.
- Workplane Tool: After clicking on this button, you can establish a temporary workplane on a surface of an object. Measurements will be with respect to the temporary plane, making object sizing easier, especially for objects that have surfaces that are not on the x,y,z-plane. For example, a temporary workplane can be set up on the diagonal surface of a triangular prism to determine and adjust the diagonal dimensions. The default work plane can be re-established by clicking on the ‘Workplane Tool’ and selecting an open space.
- Ruler Tool: Refer to the Ruler Tool section for more information.
- Notes Tool: After clicking this button, you can insert a ‘Note’ on any surface of your model or workplane. This is helpful in reminding you what changes need to be made.
Shapes Library: You can access a wide range of pre-made shapes by navigating through the library. Use the drop-down menu to select the category of shapes you would like to use. Refer to the Shapes Library section for more information.
Shapes: This panel shows the shapes you can use in building your model. To use a shape, click and drag the object on to the workplane. You can move and manipulate the shape once it is on the workplane.

model creation

1.3.2 Ruler tool

To accurately position objects on the workplane, you can use the Ruler Tool to measure the distance between objects and adjust the positions accordingly. The tool can be found on the right column and is labelled ‘Ruler’ with a ruler icon. Once you click on the icon, you can place a ruler on the workplane.

Figure 4: Ruler tool in use

After you have placed your ruler on to the workplane, select the object you would like to measure. The following dimensions and icon will appear:

Object Dimensions: These measurements are the dimensions of the object. These can be adjusted by clicking on the dimension of interest and re-entering the desired dimension.
Reference Distance: These measurements are with reference to where the ruler is placed and serve as a good way to view whether your objects are aligned along an axis. The measurements can be with respect to the closest vertex of the object (‘Endpoint’) or to the midpoint of the object (‘Midpoint’). When these measurements are adjusted, the position of the object will move accordingly.
Measurement Toggle: This button switches the measurement for the Reference Distance between ‘Endpoint’ and ‘Midpoint’.

ruler tool

1.3.3 Shapes library

There are many premade shapes within TinkerCAD’s Shapes Library that you can use. The drop-down menu for the various categories can be found on the right panel.

Figure 5: Shape Library drop-down menu

Aside from the Tools made available on our website for you to add to your ‘Shapes Collection’, other useful categories include ‘Basic Shapes’, ‘Shape Library - Hardware’, and ‘Shapes Generators - All’. Most components can be modelled with shapes found in ‘Basic Shapes’ or be created by grouping multiple shapes to form more complex models. The gear shapes found in ‘Shapes Generators - All’ can also be useful for more detailed models.

For shapes that are used often, you can add them to the ‘Favourites’ category for quick access. To do so, follow the steps below.

Navigate through the Shapes Library to find the shape you would like to add.
Hover your mouse over the shape and an outline of a star should appear on the top right corner of the icon.
Click on the star, and the star should be filled in yellow.
The shape has now been added to the ‘Favourites’ category.

shapes library

1.3.4 Shape manipulation

Once you have placed an object on the workplane, there are several ways you can manipulate it to fit your use.

Sizing: You can change the size of the object by either inputting a value or dragging the ‘vertices’ on the object after you selected the object.

Figure 6: Object sizing options

Base Corner Vertices: The white vertices at the corner of the base of the object can be selected and dragged to adjust the width and length of the object simultaneously. When you click on the vertex, the dimensions will appear which will also allow you to input your desired dimensions for the width and length.
Base Edge Vertices: The black vertices at the edge of the base of the object can be selected and dragged to adjust either the width or length of the object. When you click on the vertex, the adjustable dimension will appear which will also allow you to input your desired dimension for either the width or the length.
Height Vertex: The white vertex on the top of the object can be selected and dragged to adjust the height of the object. When you click on the vertex, the height dimension will appear which will also allow you to input your desired height dimension.
Elevation Vertex: The black arrow-like vertex can be selected and dragged to adjust elevation of the object from the workplane. When you click on the vertex, the elevation will appear which will also allow you to input your desired elevation. The elevation is measured from the workplane to the base of the object.
Dimension Panel (NOT ACCURATE): This panel shows the overall dimensions of the object. However, if you manipulate the size by using the vertices, the panel will no longer be accurate. We advise against using this panel for dimensional adjustments. There are other shapes that may have additional options for size adjustments where this panel can be useful. For example, for gears, you can adjust the number of teeth using this panel.

Orientation: An object can be rotated about the x, y, or z axis. The angle of rotation can be adjusted either by dragging or inputting a value.

Note: Once the angle is changed, the new angle measurement will be with reference to the new position. If you miss input the angle, we advise to select the ‘Undo’ button rather than trying to rotate the object back to its original position.

Figure 7: Object rotation options

Rotation Buttons: There are three ‘Rotation Buttons’, one for each axis. The buttons show the directions of rotation to assist you with selecting the right button. Once you select the button, a protractor tool as shown will appear. You can drag the button along the protractor to rotate the object.
Inner Protractor: If you drag along the inner protractor, the object would rotate by 22.5 degrees. This is an easy way to rotate the object by 45 degrees or 180 degrees.
Outer Protractor: If you drag along the outer protractor, the object would rotate by 1 degree. This allows you to fine tune the rotation.
Angle Input: This shows the angle of rotation and allows you to input your desired angle. You can input a number with up to 2 decimal places.

Moving: You can reposition an object after it has been placed on the workplane. You can simply select the object and drag it along the plane to your desired location. Measurements from a vertex and its original location will appear to show you how far you have moved the object in the x and y direction. You can also input your desired values for more accurate repositioning.

Colour: You can change the colour of your object by selecting the object and clicking ‘Solid’ on the options panel. You can either select colours from the ‘Presets’ or ‘Custom’.

The ‘Custom’ option allows you to select a colour by either using a colour gradient wheel, inputting the Hex #, or entering the RGB values.
There is also a ‘Transparent’ option at the bottom right corner of the colour panel. When selected, the object becomes translucent, enabling you to see through the object.

Hole Feature: Instead of being a solid, objects can also be characterized as holes. This is depicted by the translucent and striped pattern on the object. You can turn a solid object into a hole by selecting the object and clicking ‘Hole’ on the options panel. A hole creates a void in the volume the object occupies. This is useful when creating new shapes using the Grouping feature. Refer to the Grouping/Ungrouping section for more information on using the Hole feature and the Grouping feature to create new shapes.

Grouping/Ungrouping: Multiple objects can be grouped together to create a new shape. To do this, merge the objects to create a desired shape. Then, select all the objects in that group and click the ‘Group’ button. The objects will merge together to become one object.

Another method of creating a new shape is to group a solid and a hole. The new object will take the shape of the solid with volumes of the hole removed. The object below was created by grouping a solid cube with a hole cylinder.

Figure 8: Cube grouped with a cylinder hole

To separate the grouped objects, select the object and click the ‘Ungroup’ button. The objects will unmerged and can be manipulated separately.

Lock and Hide

Figure 9: Lock and Hide buttons

Lock: This button locks the object in place, preventing it from moving and changing in dimensions. Changing the colour of the object will still be permitted. Once locked, the object will be outlined in purple. You can unlock the object simply by clicking the button again.
Hide: This button hides the selected object. This is useful when there are objects within the larger object or when there are objects blocking your view. After the object is hidden, you can bring the object back by selecting the ‘Lightbulb’ button.

shape manpulation

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