You’re able to select between 6 different snap presets (0.1mm to 5mm or 1/64″ to 1/2″) or turn it off, and the setting is easily accessible. The snap functionality is important in this kind of software.

This often makes it hard to place objects exactly where you want them. The camera is only in standard perspective mode, moving freely around the place. One thing that’s missing from the camera part of Tinkercad is orthographical projection, especially from the standard top, side and bottom views. There’s also a home button to return to default view and a fit view to selection button. There are also keyboard shortcuts to make your life easier if you’re on a laptop without a mouse. Rotate with right mouse button, pan with middle mouse button and zoom with the mouse wheel. The camera controls are intuitive and easy to use. The default view of Tinkercad Features Camera Controls

Therefore we’re going to take a closer look at it and its features. Tinkercad is made with makers (and as the name implies: tinkers) in mind, supporting file export for 3D-printing and laser cutting. However, if you find those programs a bit too heavy as well, you might want to check out Autodesk Tinkercad.Īutodesk Tinkercad is a free browser-based CAD program at its simplest, which we recently stumbled upon. We mentioned that Sketchup and Autodesk Fusion 360 are two good alternatives to the bigger and more expensive CAD beasts out there. A few weeks ago we wrote an intro to CAD for makers.

Tinker cad software