Bouncing around the web recently looking for tools to possibly replace Google Sketchup (which was recently SOLD), I came across two free, web-based 3D/CAD programs every school (and school kid) should know about: Tinkercad & 3DTin.
DISCLAIMER: as a Google Certified Teacher (and lover of all things Google), I truly hate to see Sketchup go. Kids love using it in our school. I spent last summer tutoring one of our 5th graders on its use (he’s absolutely an engineer in the making). Heck, I used it with my 4th graders this past week, blowing kids’ minds by showing them how it was used to help create the “Uncharted” video game series. I love getting kids excited about technology and the future … but I digress.
Tinkercad – like Tinkertoys, ‘cept digital
This powerful tool for 3D modeling is being wildly embraced by the 3D design educational community because of its ease of use and ability to interface with devices like 3D printers. Its simplicity means reduced features (you can’t import scaled vector graphics (.SVG’s) or anything for that matter) but the tradeoff is the user interface is super simple. Check out the tutorial video:
3DTin – no metal required
I am not even sure I recall how I came across 3DTin (not that it matters!) Some might say it looks like a more “serious” version of Tinkercad. Its user interface is therefore more complex, but it still remains very simple. One nice feature is the ability to import other people’s models, as shown above. This makes it easier for people like me with no design skills to see how complex items come together. Check out this quick video tutorial but be advised, the computer-generated voiceover may creep you out:
You design stuff, sure, but you PRINT with them! There are already expensive 3D printers in many schools but for home use, check out Origo, the 3D printer “for ten year olds.” Brilliant!
Big software companies are moving their tools to the web with amazing speed. Check out AutoCAD WS, allowing you to open and edit AutoCAD programs on various mobile devices. Or, how about Autodesk Homestyler, the free tool for designing home spaces in 3D. Both are free.
Is this a great time to be a ten year old, or what?
Hope this helps,
-kj-
I’m one of those kids who loved to take old watches apart. Glaze all the tiny gears and springs and tried to assemble it back —with only few extra parts left out ;) I didn’t become a clock smith. Instead I find myself working at Tinkercad. But one thing became clear: I learned what made clocks tick.
Taking things apart is a big tool for learning. Things become demystified when you can peek inside them. Even if you couldn’t create that, you grasp what the concept of creating would be.
Another biggie is copying. When we copy, we come close to the issue, learn from it and start to see the context. It’s been said that we can start create unique work only after we’ve copied enough.
Copying and disassembling designs is BIG part of Tinkercad. After logging in, you’re able to take any design you see on the site and work on it. Many times this means braking them apart: peeking inside and learning how the design was made. Sometimes designs are continued. And sometimes completely transformed.
I believe this open design culture, with its copying and collaboration, has created the amazing learning curve we’re seeing in the Tinkercad community. We’ve seen kids grow from drawing a simple box character to modeling near perfect Transformers robots –in two months! I can’t wait to see what they’re pulling by the end of this year.
So go hit that “Tinker this” button and disassemble your watch. Spare parts are allowed ;)
Henrik! Thanks for commenting. Great to hear from you!
I too was a tinkerer as a kid. Took tons of things apart for fun. Have gotten away from it, sadly, as an adult. Still enjoy working with my hands! In fact I have an IBM Thinkpad torn apart in my basement workshop right now for a CPU fan replacement. So I guess I haven’t gotten COMPLETELY away from it.
I love Tinkercad because it’s so kid-friendly. I teach youngsters (K-4) and I constantly encourage them to find their passion. I firmly believe some of my students will choose a technologically-oriented vocation in life based on their experience in my classroom. I want to be the person who someone looks back on and says, “I’m doing X today because I was inspired by Mr. Jarrett when I was in 4th grade Computer Lab” or something like that. So, thanks for making Tinkercad awesome!
Now to start thinking about lesson plans…
Best, kj
I dug up the designs I mentioned above on the learning curve.
This girl got introduced to Tinkercad at her arts class. She’s been continuing designing with her friends during past time, and I’m happy to say each week we see new designs by this group. It has been truly amazing to see this kid, in her early teens, evolve from designing this ( https://tinkercad.com/things/g8NIZXhHrq3 ) to this ( https://tinkercad.com/things/gCXCNhHq5vy ). Again all in just two months!
The lack of fear and willingness to explore and play results in quite remarkable creations. If our teenagers are already modeling Transformers, I can’t imagine what they’ll be designing in their twenties.
Here’s their teacher James Dec talking about design education and using tools like Tinkercad at the TEDxNYED last weekend. His talk is on the first video at the 1h 1min marker: http://new.livestream.com/tedx/TEDxNYED/videos/598113
That. Is. AWESOME!
Thanks for sharing!
Hi this is Kai, one of the founders of Tinkercad. Just to cheer you up a bit, I’m actually an ex Googler and the Tinkercad servers are written using Go, a programming language developed at Google. So you are kind of reaping the fruits of Google when you use Tinkercad. ;-)
Hello Kai! Thanks for commenting. Not surprised you are ex-Google. Tinkercad is brilliant! Can’t wait to explore it with my students!
Hi Kevin,
You have caused quite the Tinkercad buzz this week! =) Your name is all over the place! Thanks for all that you do!
When you hold another class, let us know and we can better prepare to participate. We’re also starting a series around educators who user Tinkercad as a teaching tool. We welcome anyone who’d like to share their story with us, their program and how 3D tech has influenced the classroom. Feel free to email me, or send folks to team@tinkercad.com.
Best,
Shino