How to Use Workplane in Tinkercad?

Understanding the Workplane in Tinkercad

The workplane serves as a foundational tool for object placement within Tinkercad. Acting as a temporary reference, it allows users to accurately position shapes and designs on a designated area of an existing object or structure. Whether you’re adding a cylinder to the top of a box or aligning parts, the workplane offers precision and clarity in your design process. By ensuring that any shapes placed on the workplane sit flush against the desired surface, it simplifies the building process for 3D models.

Setting Up the Workplane

To initiate the use of the workplane in Tinkercad, follow these steps:

1. Select the Workplane Tool: Locate the workplane icon in the toolbar on the right side of the interface.
2. Position the Workplane: Click on the intended surface of your base object. This action transforms that surface into a workplane, which you can use as a guideline for placement.
3. Add Shapes: With the workplane activated, drag shapes from the geometric menu onto the workplane. They will align perfectly with the surface you selected previously.

Lifting Objects from the Workplane

When working with multi-layer designs, you may find the need to elevate objects above the workplane. Here’s how to do it:

1. Select the Object: Click on the shape you wish to lift.
2. Use the Arrow Handles: Find the gray arrow handles that appear above the object when selected. These represent the vertical axis.
3. Drag to Elevate: Click and drag one of the arrow handles upward to raise the object to the desired height. Release the mouse button to set its new position.

Aligning Objects on the Workplane

Aligning different objects ensures they fit together seamlessly. Follow these steps to align multi-part designs:

1. Select Multiple Objects: Hold down the Shift key and click on each object you want to align.
2. Access Alignment Tools: Click the “Align” icon, which looks like two overlapping rectangles. Alternatively, you can press the ‘L’ key as a shortcut.
3. Choose Alignment Points: Click on the alignment nodes that appear around the objects to align them as desired. The selected items will shift accordingly to match the reference points.

Laying Objects Flat

To ensure an object lies flat on the surface of the workplane, perform the following:

1. Select the Object: Click on the shape you want to flatten.
2. Use the Rotation Handles: Grab the rotation handles to adjust the angle.
3. Move to Align: Position the object so that the bottom face contacts the workplane flatly, making necessary adjustments until it’s resting securely.

Removing the Workplane

Once you’re finished with the guidance provided by the workplane, it can be removed easily:

1. Select the Workplane Icon: Click on the workplane icon again.
2. Delete the Workplane: Click directly on the existing workplane to erase it from your model. This will revert the design area back to a standard view without the temporary surface.

Using the Ruler Tool

For precise measurements in Tinkercad:

1. Activate the Ruler Tool: Click on the ruler icon positioned at the upper right corner of the Tinkercad interface.
2. Place the Ruler: Click anywhere on the workplane to drop the ruler.
3. Adjust Measurements: Utilize the ruler to measure distances between objects or to ensure that elements are placed accurately according to your specifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I display all objects in Tinkercad?
You can use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + H to reveal all objects that may be hidden in your current workspace.

Is it possible to erase shapes on the workplane?
Yes, you can delete shapes easily by selecting them and pressing the ‘Delete’ key on your keyboard. Alternatively, you can group multiple shapes and then delete them if not needed.

What is the default size of the workplane in Tinkercad?
The workplane has a default measurement of 200 x 200 units, which provides ample space for designing a variety of 3D objects.