How to Duplicate and Repeat in Tinkercad

Understanding Duplication and Repetition in Tinkercad

Tinkercad is a user-friendly online 3D design application that allows users to create and manipulate designs easily. One of the fundamental tasks you will frequently perform in Tinkercad is duplicating objects. This feature enables efficiency and creativity in your 3D modeling work.

Why Duplicate Objects?

Duplicate objects are essential when you want to create multiple instances of the same design elements without manually recreating each one. Utilizing this feature can save time and help maintain uniformity in your projects, whether you are designing a complex structure or simply needing several similar shapes.

Step-by-Step Guide to Duplicating Objects

Step 1: Select the Object

Begin by creating or importing the object you wish to duplicate in your Tinkercad workspace. Click on the object to select it. You will see small handles appear around it, indicating it is ready for manipulation.

Step 2: Duplicate the Object

Once your object is selected, you have a couple of methods to duplicate it:

• Using Keyboard Shortcuts: The quickest way to duplicate is by pressing Ctrl + D (on Windows) or Command + D (on Mac). This action creates an immediate duplicate of the selected object.

• Using the Toolbar: Alternatively, you can use the toolbar at the top. Click on the ‘Edit’ menu, then navigate to the ‘Duplicate’ option. This will have the same effect as the keyboard shortcut.

Step 3: Move the Duplicated Object

After duplicating, the new object will be slightly offset from the original for easy identification. You can click and drag it to place it where required. If you require precise placement, you might want to use the arrow keys on your keyboard for finer control.

Using the Repeat Function

The Repeat function in Tinkercad allows you to create multiple copies of an object rapidly, spaced evenly:

Step 1: Select the Object for Repetition

As before, select the object you would like to repeat.

Step 2: Employ the Repeat Tool

Determine how many copies you’d like to create:

• Using the Keyboard Shortcut: Hold down the Ctrl key (or Command on Mac) and tap the D key multiple times. Each time you do this, a new duplicate will appear in succession.

• Using the Toolbar Again: Click ‘Edit’, then select ‘Repeat’. You will be prompted to input the number of copies you wish to create.

Step 3: Layout of the Repeated Objects

Tinkercad automatically spaces the repeated objects evenly based on the last position of the latest object. You can select and move them collectively or adjust them individually as needed.

Adjusting Properties of Duplicated Objects

After you’ve created duplicates, you might want to change specific properties like size, color, or orientation to differentiate them:

• Scaling: Click on the duplicated object, and use the corner handles to resize it. This can create visual diversity in your design.

• Color Change: Change the color by selecting the shape and using the color palette in the right panel.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I duplicate multiple objects at once?
Yes, you can select multiple objects by holding down the Shift key and clicking on each one. Then, use either the keyboard shortcut or toolbar option to duplicate all selected items simultaneously.

2. Is it possible to group duplicated objects together?
Absolutely! Once you’ve duplicated your objects, you can group them. Select all desired duplicates while holding Shift and then use the ‘Group’ option in the toolbar to combine them into a single object.

3. Will the duplicates remain linked to the original object?
No, once you duplicate an object, it becomes an independent entity. Changes made to one object will not affect the other unless you specifically group them before duplicating.