Gallery: You Suck at Tinkercad — Let's Change That
01tinkercad-eyewear
If you’re not an industrial designer or architect, the prospect of creating something out of thin air can seem daunting. But never fear: [Tinkercad](https://tinkercad.com/), the web-based 3-D modeling system [created](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/design/2012/06/interview-with-tinkercad-founder-kai-backman/) by Kai Backman and Mikko Mononen, is designed specifically to help you and every other would-be amateur maker get your ideas off the computer and into your hands. “It’s actually very simple and easy,” said [Pekka Salokannel](http://www.pekkasalokannel.com/), an industrial designer who now works as a technical artist for Tinkercad. "Concentrate on your ideas, rather than the technical details. There’s always a way to make it work." We’ve collected a few other pieces of Salokannel’s sage advice here. Read on to find your way to 3-D supremacy.
02start-small
__Start small__. There’s no need to start out by piecing together a large-scale replica of Hogwarts. Tinkercad’s best feature is how easy it is to print out your designs, letting you get see how your designs are shaping up and helping you learn good design skills. Once you’ve finished an object, just click “Print 3D” to send it to one of four printing services. Keeping that in mind, don’t obsess over your elaborate models before releasing them into the world. “That’s how I started,” Salokannel said. “I made a pair of earrings for $5, learned how much things cost, and started to push myself a little further.” Small projects, like a ring or cufflinks, will help you overcome initial intimidation and boost your confidence for bigger projects ahead.
03material-guide
__Check the 3D Materials Guide__. Once you sign into your free account, Tinkercad’s dashboard — and, come to think of it, most of the Internet — has plenty of free tutorials. If you’re looking for a convenient place that collects all that information, Tinkercad’s [blog](http://blog.tinkercad.com/) has a helpful [materials guide](http://blog.tinkercad.com/materialsguide/) and list of [keyboard shortcuts](http://blog.tinkercad.com/keyboard-shortcuts/), as well as project inspiration. 
04smart-duplicate
__Use Smart Duplicate to create repeating patterns__. One of Salokannel’s favorite keyboard shortcuts is Smart Duplicate, or Ctrl + D. Select a shape, duplicate it, then move, scale and rotate it. The feature will remember all those steps, which will allow you to create complicated repeating patterns in seconds.
05import-vectors
__Don’t worry about extruding shapes__. Importing shapes, like logos, numbers or letters, from Illustrator, is easy. Simply convert the files to .SVG format. When you open a new design in Tinkercad, click “Import” on the right sidebar to import the file. It will arrive in Tinkercad with the design already extruded — or, fully shaped in a 3-D format.
06common-tools
__Look for tools in the first place that makes sense__. “The hardest part about CAD in the past has been learning how many tools there are, and what path to take to find them,” said Salokannel. One of the biggest philosophical differences between Tinkercad and the legacy CAD programs that preceded them is that the most important tools are easy to find. Just click an object and the three most important tools — rotate, scale and move — will pop out. 
