Intro: 0:01
What is TinkerCAD?: 0:37
Importing STL: 1:42
Isolating objects: 3:00
Subtracting from objects: 8:13
Adding to complex curved objects: 9:10
Outro: 12:28
End card: 12:34

In this video I cover how I modify existing STL files. I use TinkerCAD which is a free cloud based CAD solution available from AutoDesk. All you have to do is sign up with an email and your good to go with storage for your models and a way to share them if you choose to. You don’t have too and you can keep your models private which is another bonus to the TinkerCAD work space.

I try to explain my process on how I bring in existing STL files for remixes and my own projects. This is nice when you need to modify a specific type of model someone has done already that is almost perfect for your situation…but…it’s just a little bit off. For some reason you need a hole bigger or smaller, you may need to adjust the mount of a specific thing. This works really well for short projects where you need only slight manipulation of a pre-existing STL. TinkerCAD also works great for beginners because it is a visual based solution to CAD. This has been great for me because I am a visual leaner by nature and this fits my style of progression.

I first go over how to import the STL into TinkerCAD then how to remove and modify certain objects from the STL while keeping dimensional accuracy. This technique also applies to cutting STL’s in half or preserving dimensions of a given model if you need to hack it up to print a large work piece. The work flow in TinkerCAD is very fast and makes quick work of small modifications that you just don’t know if they will produce what you expect.

I also explain how I use duplicate object to mate different work pieces with complex edges. This is especially useful when you have a rounded surface that has a thin profile. You can use this technique to make sure the backside of your thin profile does not have any protrusions and there is still a solid connection at the front of the rounded surface.

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Keep ur amps up and ur filament dry!

E

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