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Tinkercad or the enchanted pencil of the 21st century.

Jan Bąk 8529 13

TL;DR

  • Tinkercad serves as an easy online CAD tool for designing simple, non-artistic 3D-printable parts, especially enclosures.
  • It builds cases by combining Cuboid and Pipe solids with Hole objects, then using Align, Group, grid snapping, and the Ruler for precise cutouts.
  • The example enclosure uses outer dimensions 90x60x40mm, 2mm walls, and 1mm front and back panels.
  • Exporting to STL yields a printable half-casing estimated at 3h05min, 26g, 25% infill, and about 1,29zl in PLA cost.
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  • Since I bought a 3d printer I have been looking for a program to design parts. I needed a program that was reasonably easy to use and allowed me to draw relatively simple parts, „non-artistic”.
    After testing various things, I came across Link . For me the bomb. Online application, easy to use, tutorials on yt.
    On the aforementioned website you can share your designs or use the ready-made products provided.
    Creating details for 3D printing is as easy here as in the cartoon „The Enchanted Pencil”

    Drawing case with external dimensions 90x60x40mm, walls 2mm, front and back panels 1mm thick.

    We start by selecting the Cuboid from the menu on the right and placing it in the centre of the working plane. We then set its dimensions to 90x60x20.
    This will be the outer dimension of one half of the casing. This can be done on the object menu or by editing the dimensions that appear on the dimension lines.

    Tinkercad or the enchanted pencil of the 21st century.

    We click LPM on this object and ctrl ctrl v, move the copy to the side and set its dimensions.
    These will be the internal dimensions of the housing half after taking into account the assumed wall thickness i.e. our Hole should be 86mm and raised above the working plane by 2mm using the black triangle.
    This can only be raised in front, side view by rotating the working plane using the cube in the top left corner.
    The second dimension is 50mm which will allow the front panels to be fixed.

    Tinkercad or the enchanted pencil of the 21st century.
    The method of removing unnecessary material using the „Hole” object from the „Solid” object is the basic way of obtaining shapes other than the basic ones on the right-hand side of the menu.

    Slide one element over the other fairly centrally, select both elements and choose the Align function. Set the Top view and click the central black circles which will align the 2 elements centrally in the horizontal plane.

    Tinkercad or the enchanted pencil of the 21st century.


    We just select the smaller shape and convert it to a Hole from the Shape menu.
    Then select the 2 elements again and choose the Group function which will merge the Object and Hole to give a new shape.
    Next, select the Cube Hole again and set its dimensions to 84x70 and raise it 3mm above the working plane. Overlap the elements, centre and group.

    Tinkercad or the enchanted pencil of the 21st century.

    The rim for fixing the panels will extend above the plane by 1mm and we will make a 1mm groove in it.

    We select the Cuboid once again and set its dimensions as for the front panel i.e. 86x40x1mm which should give the Shape in the vertical plane. We copy and position as the front and back panels should be positioned in the enclosure.

    Tinkercad or the enchanted pencil of the 21st century.

    Attracting the grid and zooming in on the image should be enough for accurate alignment but if that didn't work we use the Align tool.
    We change the Grid Attraction in the bottom right corner of the work plane.
    Change both Shapes to Holes, select the whole thing, Group.
    The grooves for attaching the panels should show up.

    Once again, create a Shape with the same dimensions as the panel, but place the element horizontally. This will be the front or back panel. Copy x2 if there will be different holes in them. Alternatively, the previously created Hole x1 can be copied, transformed into a Shape and arranged on the work plane. Make the necessary holes in the panels. The Ruler function can help with this.
    Now it is time to make the sleeves for the fixing screws using the Pipe Shape from the Basic Shapes menu.
    Outside dimensions 6mm, inside 3mm, height 21mm. Copy x3, position symmetrically at the edges, recess 1mm. Elements to be printed as a whole are not sufficiently close - they must be recessed into each other.
    Holes in the housing plane can be drilled or created with the Cylinder Shape in Hole mode with a diameter like the desired hole.

    Tinkercad or the enchanted pencil of the 21st century.

    Tinkercad or the enchanted pencil of the 21st century.

    You can also think about footers in which the nuts and bolt heads will hide. Felt or rubber washers can be glued into them to mask the nuts and bolts.
    Example dimensions outside 7mm, wall 1mm, hole 2mm, height 4mm.

    Tinkercad or the enchanted pencil of the 21st century.

    The feet will be to be fixed loosely, like washers, using nuts and bolts.
    There is no obstacle to making hexagonal recesses in the plane of the case and fitting both heads and nuts there.
    For fixing the circuit board, you can design oblong cuboids with drilled holes into which the circuit board can be screwed and then glued to the housing. the board will be removable.
    There are as many possibilities as there are ideas.
    Click on the Export tab, select .stl and half the housing is ready to print!
    Open the file in a slicer, e.g. Cura, and see that....
    Tinkercad or the enchanted pencil of the 21st century.
    Time to print half of the casing 3h05min, weight 26g, with Normal quality and 25% fill.Approximate material cost with PLA filament price 50zl for 1kg is 1,29zl.

    Isn't this the Enchanted Pencil of the 21st century?

    Cool? Ranking DIY
    About Author
    Jan Bąk
    Level 13  
    Offline 
    Jan Bąk wrote 126 posts with rating 29, helped 6 times. Been with us since 2004 year.
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  • #2 19017056
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home
    Posts: 14406
    Help: 650
    Rate: 12345
    Interesting service. It looks very simple and is worth considering, although I have mixed feelings.

    When I go to their site it refers me to a login form, so do I have to create an account with them and then I can model objects in a web browser? And if there is no internet then I won't model?

    Could you show more advanced things, e.g:
    - is it possible to make the walls of an enclosure bevelled (chamfered corners, bevel)
    - is it possible to do 'instancing' of one object multiple times, i.e. model one leg, place it four times, and then edit one so that the other 3 update?
    - is there, for example, an option to generate the other side of an object by mirroring?
    - can you import any STL file there and edit it?
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
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  • #3 19017188
    Jan Bąk
    Level 13  
    Posts: 126
    Help: 6
    Rate: 29
    The main advantage of this programme is its simple operation.
    It only works online after an account has been created. I have not tried to edit there .stl-i produced by another program. You can of course edit your own projects.
    The program does not have advanced functions hidden somewhere in the tenth submenu.
    Each of the 3d editing programmes has its own philosophy of operation. Making various shapes, even complex ones, simply involves making additions, subtractions. If the walls are to be sloping, a suitably sized trapezoid can be used as a template. If we cover it with, for example, half a sphere and subtract the trapezoid then on the top it will be half a sphere and on the inside it will be a trapezoid shape. If it is the trapezoid that is larger then the shape will be the opposite. Making the exact bends, folds etc is done somewhat on foot.
    It is of course possible to make only a part of the whole, if it is symmetrical, copy, rotate, glue.
    On yt you can see what tricks pro users use.
    Once again, this is a very cool, simple application for simple tasks. I recommend to try it.
  • #4 19017278
    Press
    Level 24  
    Posts: 566
    Help: 69
    Rate: 40
    Jan Bąk wrote:
    will write again - this is a very cool , simple application for simple tasks. I recommend giving it a try.

    Certainly yes, only if you are going to develop then a simple application will quickly "run out".
    Also for free and after registration you have for example Fusion 360. What is supposed to be simple is simple in it. And as your needs grow.... You simply discover more possibilities in the programme.
  • #5 19017280
    Simon79
    Level 21  
    Posts: 418
    Help: 29
    Rate: 383
    I confirm. Very cool service. You can log in with your EAGLE account because it is the same company :) .
    I previously used (and still use SKETCHUP) but I liked this one better.
    I also make dedicated enclosures for my projects, although they are still far from perfect, but skill makes perfect.
    I also recommend. Easy to use. Just compare the earlier enclosure design tutorial in bleder.
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  • #6 19017738
    Dawid90u
    Level 23  
    Posts: 754
    Help: 38
    Rate: 86
    I used to use Sketchup and constantly had problems with models - after loading the stl into the slicer there were always some holes somewhere.
    I switched to Fusion360 and it's fabulous. An intuitive tool in which you can quickly design whatever comes to mind. A very useful tool is that with one click you can generate a 3D model of the PCB you are designing in Eagle and place it in the enclosure you are designing.
  • #7 19019140
    tzok
    VIP Meritorious for electroda.pl
    Posts: 38663
    Help: 3162
    Rate: 6409
    For more complex shapes and dimensioning, TinkerCAD is torturous. For more serious applications there is Fusion360. Tinkercad is more like a children's toy for a first contact with 3D modelling.
  • #8 19021757
    Jan Bąk
    Level 13  
    Posts: 126
    Help: 6
    Rate: 29
    Even simple things need to be designed in some kind of programme. This is enough to design, for example, a dedicated case.
    I would highly recommend it to anyone who doesn't want to bash their head into some big 3d cad for a month to design a Thing Needed Immediately :}}.
  • #9 19022103
    luke666
    Level 33  
    Posts: 2445
    Help: 182
    Rate: 119
    I tried the crap, installed FreeCAD after five minutes and have been at it for over a year. I plan to get Fusion360 because it's good to be able to use different tools, other than that I'm aware of FreeCAD's shortcomings. Tinkercad is a toy.
    I also tried Sketchup, but it didn't suit me.

    Jan Bąk wrote:
    Making various shapes, even complex ones, simply involves doing additions, subtractions of shapes.

    Well, no. Maybe for making a boxy enclosure this is enough. Changing complex solids without modifying their sketches and only using sums, differences, products, logical operations is just a waste of time.

    A large proportion of people who come across this program will quickly see that it has great limitations and will look for something else.
  • #10 19024304
    fifcio13-13
    Level 30  
    Posts: 1290
    Help: 148
    Rate: 304
    It looks like a program for children. All these programs together with FreeCAD are weak. If someone wants to design professionally and efficiently, only SpaceClaim from ANSYS. Together with the Algoryx Momentum overlay and Keyshot or Cinema 4D you can create wonders. All operations supported by the GPU. Possibility to convert solids, repair and validate, assemble designs, etc. A dream programme for 3D printing. Tinkercad may be the enchanted pencil of the 21st century.... but SpaceClaim is already in the 23rd. In conclusion - a waste of time for such "curiosities".
  • #11 19024320
    luke666
    Level 33  
    Posts: 2445
    Help: 182
    Rate: 119
    fifcio13-13 wrote:
    If one wants to design professionally and efficiently, only SpaceClaim from ANSYS.

    This is a $2000 commercial program, rather beyond the reach of the average electrode user. Free CAD programs are able to extract 100% of the capabilities from today's 3D printers.
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  • #12 19031559
    skyguy
    Level 15  
    Posts: 321
    Help: 19
    Rate: 185
    I recommend ONSHAPE - a free (non-commercial) online programme.
    It designs very similarly to solidworks so you can do all sorts of things, export to all popular formats.
  • #14 19051923
    Hosehose
    Level 2  
    Posts: 4
    Rate: 1
    A very cool tool for quickly extracting bitmaps.
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FAQ

TL;DR: Tinkercad lets beginners model simple 3D parts fast (example: a 90×60×40 mm case prints in 3h05m, 26 g). “Isn’t this the Enchanted Pencil of the 21st century?” [Elektroda, Jan Bąk, post #19016929]

Why it matters: If you just got a 3D printer and wonder what’s the best beginner CAD, this FAQ compares Tinkercad with Fusion 360, Onshape, SketchUp, and more—so hobbyists and makers can choose the right tool for quick, printable designs.

Quick Facts

What is Tinkercad and who is it for?

Tinkercad is an easy, browser‑based 3D modeling app suited to quick, simple parts. It uses combining and subtracting shapes to form designs. It shines for enclosures, brackets, and non‑artistic parts when you need results fast. “Very cool, simple application for simple tasks.” [Elektroda, Jan Bąk, post #19017188]

Do I need an account or internet to use Tinkercad?

Yes. It works online only after you create an account. If you lack internet, you cannot model in Tinkercad. Plan for connectivity during design sessions and saves. [Elektroda, Jan Bąk, post #19017188]

Can Tinkercad do chamfers, bevels, or sloped walls?

Yes, but with workarounds. You combine primitives (e.g., trapezoids, cylinders, spheres) and subtract to approximate chamfers or slopes. Expect more manual steps than parametric CAD. “Exact bends… are done somewhat on foot.” [Elektroda, Jan Bąk, post #19017188]

Does Tinkercad support instancing or mirroring parts?

There’s no linked instancing discussed. You can copy, rotate, and mirror symmetrical parts, then group. Edits won’t auto‑propagate to copies. Use duplication for legs, bosses, or sleeves. [Elektroda, Jan Bąk, post #19017188]

Can I import and edit STL files from other programs?

In this thread, the author edited native Tinkercad projects and didn’t confirm editing external STLs. You can export STL reliably. For heavy STL edits, consider Fusion 360 or Mesh‑oriented tools. [Elektroda, Jan Bąk, post #19017188]

How do I model a simple 90×60×40 mm electronics case in Tinkercad?

  1. Create a 90×60×20 cuboid (outer half). Duplicate a smaller cuboid as a Hole for wall thickness; align and Group.
  2. Add a second Hole (e.g., 84×70, raised 3 mm) to form a rim and internal cavity; Group.
  3. Model front/back panels (86×40×1), cut grooves, add screw sleeves, then Export as STL. [Elektroda, Jan Bąk, post #19016929]

How long and how much material will that sample case use?

With Normal quality and 25% infill, one half shows about 3h05m print time, 26 g mass, and ~1.29 zł material cost using ~50 zł/kg PLA. That’s a practical benchmark for small enclosures. [Elektroda, Jan Bąk, post #19016929]

Is Tinkercad good for complex shapes and detailed dimensioning?

Not ideal. Users report it becomes torturous for complex shapes or precise dimensioning. For serious applications, step up to Fusion 360 or similar parametric CAD. [Elektroda, tzok, post #19019140]

SketchUp gave me slicer holes in STL—what should I try instead?

Several users moved to Fusion 360 and found it far more reliable for generating watertight, printable STLs. It also integrates with EAGLE for PCB‑to‑enclosure workflows. [Elektroda, Dawid90u, post #19017738]

What’s a sensible upgrade path from Tinkercad?

Use Tinkercad for fast, simple jobs. When your needs grow, switch to Fusion 360; it starts simple and reveals deeper features over time. That preserves momentum and skills. [Elektroda, Press, post #19017278]

Is Onshape a good free online alternative?

Yes. Onshape’s free non‑commercial plan runs in the browser, feels like SolidWorks, and exports to popular formats. It suits more advanced assemblies and workflows. [Elektroda, skyguy, post #19031559]

Can I sign in to Tinkercad with my EAGLE account?

Yes. Because they’re from the same company, you can log in to Tinkercad with your EAGLE account credentials. That eases PCB‑to‑mechanical workflows. [Elektroda, Simon79, post #19017280]

Is there a code‑based CAD good for enclosures?

OpenSCAD is favored by some for enclosure design. It uses scripts to define geometry, making repeatable, parameter‑driven models simple to maintain and modify. [Elektroda, astro, post #19041612]

Does Tinkercad help with turning images into 3D?

Yes. Users call it a very cool tool for quickly extracting bitmaps to relief‑like 3D shapes. It’s handy for logos, badges, and plaques. [Elektroda, Hosehose, post #19051923]

What’s Arduino Nano?

Arduino Nano is a small, breadboard‑friendly microcontroller board compatible with the Arduino IDE, often used in compact embedded projects and prototypes. [Arduino, 2023]

What is CAN bus?

CAN (Controller Area Network) is a robust two‑wire serial bus for reliable, real‑time communication between microcontrollers and devices, widely used in vehicles and industry. [Bosch CAN Specification, 1991]
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