Using Tinkercad as an AR/VR Design Tool

 

At the start of this year we published a post on this blog about the purchase of a pair of end of line backdrops that were brought from a major chain and marked as line discontinued.   They featured a 'tropical island/volcano backdrop and a second design as shown left.

The cost for these items was NZD $2.00.    The measure 2.5m by 1.8m.

The first instance led itself to animals and some of the pre-made Tinkercad designs.  In this instance we wanted to push the design skills of the students but the intention was not for a 3D Printed model it the end, the intention was for Tinkercad to be used to design the figure and for it to be projected into place as part of the design but not to be physically printed.

We have previously published entire slideshows along this theme, accessed by clicking here.

Students needed to consider their ability to design something that would potentially seem authentic within the scene.

We tasked students with not trying to 'hide' something but think about scale and think about setting.

Once this had been designed in Tinkercad students then used the Tinkercad App and its AR/VR button to project their original image onto the scene.   There were a number of aspects to this design the students had to consider.

An example is shown left where the student has created a cloud that is designed to fit into the scene.  The brightness of the cloud makes it stand out relative to the other objects in the background.

The student wanted to then edit the photo to change the brightness of photo and in particular find a way of reducing the brightness of the cloud.

In the second example shown left the student wanted to introduce something that was implied to be there by the shape of the scene.   They created a cable and a hook by using the basic Tinkercad shapes and had it 

Again there is a subtle difference between the colour of the yellow from the cable connector to the hook to the other yellow present in the scene which the student was going to undertake to alter.

Scale was an important consideration for this task as well as the colour and shade of the additions created by the students.   In the further example shown left the student added a figure who is sitting on the crane which needed to be manipulated by the student so that it appeared to be the correct size - when you compare this image to the photo above you can clearly see the figure that has been added.

We completed this task in an afternoon session with a whole class of students who were working individually (as we are luckily a 1:1 iPad School) however it could also be completed as a group activity.   As it was completed without the need for any physical object that came as a result the results could be completed and it was instantly available, instead of having to wait for a 3D Printing process to be completed.   Completed independently by eight year old students.

3D Printed Basic Trophy

 

Challenge: To utilise Tinkercad to create something that would have a purpose moving forward.

Background: This project was 'green lighted' by the teacher because there is the clear potential for this to lead to other prints, designs and creations in the future.   This was located online and had a small amount of student input - but the potential is there for considerably more.

Resources to complete this print: iPad, Tinkercad App, Bambu P1S, Orange PLA.

Level of Difficulty: Low - the design was sourced by the student with minimum adaption although there was a clear path to modify this moving forward.

Size: The print measures 125mm across and was 95mm long.   The handles and some of the design aspects of the print varied however the base was 20mm thick and the handles were 10mm wide.   This was based around the design being 140mm high.

Cost/Price: The unit used 146g of PLA to complete the print.  This had a price point of $3.62.  The print produced 47g of PLA to complete the print and support the print.

Timeframe: The print took three hours and fifty one minutes to complete on the regular default settings.  As per usual this included six minutes of warm up time for the printer.

What we would do differently/next steps for the students: This trophy was not personalised to a high degree (such as last years example which was original which you can view by clicking on the link here) however there is clear potential from this design to do exactly that - by having the name plate at the front changed for that of a person or an organisation or even a team.   The colour could of course be altered as could the dimensions of the print - at the moment its used for holding a set of keys however there would be multiple purposes for it depending on the way that you wanted to approach the object (for instance a smaller size would lead to a easier print run and even going the other way a larger trophy would have more importance).

3D Printed Novelty Tiger - SVG File

 

Challenge; To locate and select a SVG file that could be used for a specific purpose.

Background: As detailed and potentially searched for using the 'search' box on this blog on the top right hand corner and use the 'SVG' tag for the purpose.   In this instance a student found this file (on a publicly available SVG website) as a cartoon figure.  The student noted that there was already multiple holes introduced into the design so if it was going to be tied to a object perhaps as a badge or other figure.  Therefore it would technically have a purpose as it was straight from the file.    As noted previously Tinkercad has the ability for files to be imported directly into it in several formats one of which is the .svg format.  There are a number of sites that have files made available in the public domain.

Resources used to complete this project: iPad, Tinkercad App, .SVG File from freesvg.org, Bambu P1S, Orange PLA.

Level of Difficulty: Low.  This file has very little modification from the students perspective - it is essentially the file that the student located and felt would make a excellent 3D Print.   

Size: The print measures 130mm across and is 190mm from the base of the feet to the tip of the tail.  The print has a width of 10mm.

Cost/Price: This used 62g of PLA to complete the print.  This gave the print a price point of $1.57.

Timeframe: This print took two hours and three minutes to complete which included six minutes of warm up time.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students: Nil this was intended as a gift for a younger family member and the project is considered completed by the student.

3D Printed Minecraft Enderman Figure

 

Challenge: For a student to produce an original figure that had recognition factor from the game Minecraft.

Background: As a reference if you click on this link you can see a summary of previous works on this topic (from April 2026) and included is a significant slideshow.  This was also one of the topics covered by our 'best of review' for the end of school year last year.

This figure is a key figure known as the Enderman - the figure is essentially a solid black figure who is sometimes depicted holding a Minecraft brick and sometimes without.   There are also variation with the lengths of the arms of the character.  When you use a search engine to find the character (as was done to check its accuracy) there are some versions where the arms are as shown in the design but other where the arms are clearly much longer.

The figure shown left is an example of the shorter armed figure located in the game (as the longer armed figure is nearly touching the ground).   In essence this was one of the most straight forward of the Minecraft figures to design - the students only issue with the figure was making sure that it was completed/printed in jet black and they considered some way to highlight or have the eyes coloured red.

The box that the figure was holding was also a discussion the students felt that if they made the brick interchangeable then there was potential for several different designs.   The idea was for the figure to potential hold a TNT block. 

Resources used to complete this print: Minecraft (game), iPad, Tinkercad App, PLA, Bambu P1S.

Level of Difficulty: Low - if you compare this figure to others in the range this had the simplistic design.

Size: The print measures 30mm across and is 70mm high.  The figure has a width of 20mm.

Cost/Price:  The print used 22g of PLA to complete (as is shown the 'eSun Silk multi colour was used'.   This had a price point of $0.51 to complete the print.   Of note this included the cube which in the photo left has been removed so it has a clear potential to reduce both (to 18g and $0.40)

Timeframe: This print was completed on the Bambu H2D and took one hour to complete and that was represented by 54 minutes of printing time and six minutes of machine warming up.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students:  Obviously in the test print shown left the figure is not all black and does not have the eyes of red which means that it has reduced the recognition factor.  This print also has the ability for further development as a range of blocks could be placed in its hands or arms - which could also be adjusted.  Finally there is lots of scope for the AR/VR aspect of this figure and how that might be incorporated into different settings and scenes.

Non-Lego: Lego Figure

Challenge: To create an authentic and unique "Lego' inspired figure.

Background: We've discussed the enjoyment that a lot of students get from designing and using official Lego products.  This is of course not that - it is a lego inspired figure that was created (relatively) oversized that is more of a homage to the original than making an actual figure.  As the student concerned who was eight years old was designing it they were able to be creative and add features that would not be necessarily be associated with an actual 'real' figures.

The student was able to create the figure themselves using the main interface.   The additional features that can be seen on the print including the hands, the hat, the facial features and the symbol were all added from the main design interface.

As always you are able to search the entire blog for creations and designs from students using this theme - the search bar top right will direct you to a number of prints that have the label 'lego' and 'non-lego' including such designs as using AR/VR tools to enhance the students designs.

Resources used to complete this print: Tinkercad App, iPad, Bambu P1S, Orange regular PLA.

Level of Difficulty: Medium - there is some adaption to be made to the print but the main design features are in place.  The student was able to develop this design themselves (as an eight year old) without any assistance from the teacher.

Size: The print presently measures 40mm across and was 80mm high.  It was 10mm wide.   As noted above this is oversized for a traditional Lego figure but the student has intended this more as 'lego inspired' rather than a 'lego' figure.

Cost/Price: The unit used 15g of PLA to complete the print and there was 5g of PLA that was needed to act as 'rafting' or support.   This was mainly created by the need to support the overhang of the hat.  It had a price point of $0.40c to produce the print.

Timeframe: The total print time for this was one hour.  This included a six minute warm up time which is included in this time.   If this was to be produced to a scale of actual lego this would be reduced.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the student: The hat is a little oversized and could be reduced in size.   The hands of the figure are currently probably too big and also face backwards.  Finally the student could have looked at refining the figure with the design on the front of the chest.

3D Printed Furniture: Dolls House

 

Challenge: To produce an item suitable for a dolls house (large scale).  In this case an internal fireplace.

Background: One of the most successful activities from last year was our Dolls House project which ended up stretching out for an entire year - if you would like to view a recap of that project you can do so by clicking on the link here.

Since that time we have always been aware that the making of scale models or furniture items gives the students opportunities to design 'real' items which they experience with or are familiar with.  At times that biggest challenge can come from the scale of the objects that the students are designing.  In this instance the student wanted to design something to fit with a 'barbie' scale that is a design that could work in conjunction with the toy.

Resources used to complete this print: iPad, Tinkercad App, Bambu P1S, Orange PLA, Barbie Doll (for sizing).

Level of Difficulty: Medium - this task was really all about the scale.  The basic design shape for the fireplace came from the main Tinkercad interface.  Further details were added by having the logs introduced inside the fire.  Finally a discussion was held about what else could be done - which was the potential spray painting or the applying of a sticker.

This task was completed by an eight year old student without any assistance in their own time.   

Size:  The fireplace measures 100mm wide at the front and 100mm deep.  The main body of the print was 60mm high and the print was on four legs that were 30mm high.  

Cost/Price: The unit to produce (note the smaller flue0 used 200g of filament.   This has a price point for the unit of $4.50 to produce.   

Timeframe:  To complete this print the printer was active for four hours.   Again as noted the funnel for the flue was relatively short (60mm) and realistically needs to be extended further to be realistic.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students: From here the students would need to consider decoration of the fireplace - either by spray painting or using the Roland Versa Signmaker.

3D Printed Pencil Sharpener: Duck

 

Challenge: To produce something unique and functional that could house a pencil sharpener.

Background: We have posted about this project in the past, and there are a number of posts relating to the process in the past and also from earlier this year.    The concept or idea is for a print to be combined to work in conjunction with a physical object.  This ensures that the students measure, check and design something different using the physical object as the key element.

We also have been encouraging the students to consider the detail that can be produced with both the P1S and H2D Bambu printers as it allows clear details and shapes to be produced with a minimal amount of rafting.  

You can see the design top left and the photographs of the physical object in the following images.   The only rafting that came with the print was contained in the insert where the pencil sharpener was located.  This project was created by two students working in unison using the ability of Tinkercad to have two students working together collaboratively.  

Resources used to complete this print: Tinkercad App, iPad, Bambu P1S, Orange PLA.

Level of Difficulty: Medium.  This print required a number of elements to work in conjunction with each other.  The students concerned did not create the duck that was placed on top of the box as this was available and located via the main Tinkercad design page.

Size: The print measured 40mm at the front was 50mm long and was 30mm high.  The duck was 30mm high and 40mm long to sit on the top of the box.   This related specifically to the size of the pencil sharpener which the print and the project was based around.   If this was converted into a storage box or something with another purpose then the project would need to be upsized as a consequence of it.

Cost/Price: The print used 24g of PLA to complete the print and had 4g of PLA support for the inside area.  This gave the print the price point of $0.62c to produce the unit.

Timeframe: The print took one hour and six minutes to complete and had an additional six minutes of time for the printer to warm up for a combined time of seventy two minutes.

What we would do differently/Next steps for the students: The print works as a design however the pencil sharpener itself is not held in place by a shelf or by some form of addition to the print.  The print also could have featured a draw or another insert which could have been removed or adjusted.