How to Get Rid of a Workplane on Tinkercad?

Understanding the Workplane in Tinkercad

Tinkercad provides a virtual workspace known as the workplane, which serves as a foundation for designing 3D objects. It acts as a grid on which you can place and manipulate shapes, ensuring that your objects are built in the desired position. Knowing how to manage the workplane effectively is crucial for optimizing your design workflow.

Steps to Remove the Workplane in Tinkercad

If you find that the workplane is no longer needed or you want to clear it for a smoother design process, follow these steps to remove it:

1. Select the Workplane: Click on the workplane icon located in the toolbar to activate the workplane. You may need to navigate the cursor over it for visibility.
2. Clicking on the Workplane: With the workplane activated, use your mouse to click directly on the workplane grid area in your design.
3. Delete the Workplane: After having clicked on the workplane, confirm the action by using the delete key on your keyboard. This key is often represented as "Delete" or "Backspace", depending on your device.
4. Confirm Removal: Ensure that the workplane has been removed from your design by checking that the grid lines are no longer visible. If they still appear, repeat the selection and deletion process.

Hiding the Workplane Instead of Deleting

If the intention is to keep the workplane for future use but want it out of sight, consider these steps:

1. Select the Desired Object: Click on any object already present on the workplane.
2. Hide the Object: Locate the lightbulb icon in the shape panel. Clicking this icon will hide the selected object, including the workplane grid. Alternatively, you can use the shortcut: Cmd + H for Mac users or Ctrl + H for Windows users.
3. Verify Visibility: Check that the workplane is now hidden along with the selected shape. You can always bring it back by selecting the object again and clicking on the lightbulb icon or using the shortcut again.

Changing the Appearance of the Workplane

If instead of removing the workplane you want to change its appearance, follow these instructions:

1. Select the Workplane Tool: Click on the workplane icon to activate the workplane feature.
2. Choose a Color: Navigate to the inspector panel on your screen, where you can find options to alter the color. This feature allows for better visibility of your design over the workplane.
3. Apply Changes: Once you have chosen the desired color, apply it to immediately see changes in your workspace.

FAQs

1. Can I have multiple workplanes in Tinkercad?
No, Tinkercad only allows one active workplane at a time. However, you can create new workplanes as needed for your designs.

2. How do I restore a hidden workplane?
To restore a hidden workplane, simply create a new workplane by selecting the workplane icon again or pressing the ‘W’ key on your keyboard to re-establish it.

3. Will deleting the workplane remove my shapes?
No. Deleting the workplane will not affect the shapes you have placed on it, as those shapes remain intact and positioned in your design space.