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3D Design Studio with Tinkercad Design, Modeling & Digital Fabrication
FREE ON LMS SELF-PACED LMS Ages 8–16

3D Design Studio with Tinkercad

Turn ideas into real objects. Learners design 3D models in Autodesk Tinkercad, the free browser-based design tool. They start with keychains and toy figures and progress to precise, functional products, code-generated 3D shapes, physics-tested mechanisms, and multi-part assemblies ready for 3D printing.

Course Curriculum & Learning Progression

The 3D Design Studio curriculum at Axilearn is hands-on, project-based learning aligned with NEP 2020. Each level builds on the one before:

  • Level 1: 3D space, shapes, holes and grouping
  • Level 2: precise, measurable designs with the Sketch tool, SVG import, Codeblocks and Sim Lab
  • Level 3: real product engineering: assemblies, moving parts, electronics enclosures, parametric coding, mechanism simulation and design for 3D printing
3D Print Ready: Every level ends with print-ready STL files for real physical fabrication.
LMS Video Format: Students can join anytime. They get on-demand video tutorials, self-check quizzes, and downloadable starter designs on the Axilearn LMS.

Structured Level Breakdown

Level 1 OPEN & FREE LEVEL

Shape Shifters 🧊

Beginner · 6 Weeks (~12 hours) · Ages 8+

Getting comfortable in 3D: navigating the workspace, placing and resizing shapes, combining solids and holes, aligning and grouping, and exporting your first printable models.

Prerequisites: None. Basic mouse skills are enough.
Tinkercad Tools Used: 3D Workspace, Shapes Panel, Align, Group, Mirror, Duplicate, Text, Bricks view

Topics Covered:

  • Welcome to Tinkercad: the dashboard, creating a design, and joining a class
  • Moving Around in 3D: the View Cube, orbit, pan, zoom and home view
  • Basic Shapes: placing and resizing shapes with handles, and understanding X, Y and Z
  • Positioning Shapes: moving, rotating and lifting shapes, and using the workplane
  • Solids & Holes: making cutouts and grouping (the basis of how Tinkercad builds shapes)
  • Arranging Shapes: Align, Duplicate and Mirror
  • Text & Colour: 3D text, colours and multi-colour groups
  • Bricks View: turning designs into brick-style models
  • Save, Share & Export: STL export and an introduction to how 3D printers work
Mini Projects: Name Keychain · Pencil Holder · Snowman · Toy Car Body · Door Name Plate · Mini Table & Chair Set
Project Output: My Dream Room, a fully furnished 3D room (bed, desk, chair, shelf and décor) plus a print-ready personalised keychain
Level 2 SESSIONS WITH INSTRUCTOR

Precision Makers 📐

Intermediate · 8 Weeks (~16 hours) · Ages 10+

Designing to exact measurements: mm-accurate modelling, hollow shells, patterns, custom sketches, SVG logos, an introduction to Codeblocks, and testing designs with gravity and materials in Sim Lab.

Prerequisites: Shape Shifters, or basic Tinkercad skills
Tinkercad Tools Used: Ruler, Workplane, Snap Grid, Sketch, Scribble, SVG/STL Import, Codeblocks, Sim Lab

Topics Covered:

  • Precision Tools: the Ruler, Workplane tool, snap grid, and exact dimensions in millimetres
  • Measuring the Real World: measuring objects with a ruler or vernier calipers and designing parts that fit
  • Advanced Grouping: nested holes, cutaways and hollow shells with set wall thickness
  • Patterns: repeat duplication for linear and radial patterns
  • Sketch Tool: drawing custom 2D profiles and turning them into 3D shapes
  • Importing Designs: SVG logos and artwork, plus editing imported STL and OBJ files
  • Codeblocks Basics: creating shapes with code, moving, rotating and scaling them, and repeat loops
  • Sim Lab Basics: gravity, static vs dynamic objects, and materials (wood, rubber, plastic and more)
  • Design Iteration: testing, comparing versions and improving a design
Mini Projects: Phone Stand (sized to your phone) · Custom Cookie Cutter (Sketch) · Logo Coaster (SVG) · Radial Flower Pattern · Codeblocks Spiral Staircase · Marble Run tested in Sim Lab
Project Output: Smart Desk Organiser, a desk organiser measured to fit real stationery and a phone, with a custom logo and a stability test in Sim Lab, exported as a print-ready STL
Level 3 SESSIONS WITH INSTRUCTOR

Product Engineers ⚙️

Advanced · 10 Weeks (~20 hours) · Ages 12+

Engineering real products: design thinking, multi-part assemblies with proper tolerances, snap-fits and print-in-place hinges, electronics enclosures, parametric Codeblocks, working mechanisms and robots in Sim Lab, and preparing files for 3D printing and laser cutting.

Prerequisites: Precision Makers
Tinkercad Tools Used: Codeblocks (advanced), Sim Lab connectors, motors & graphs, Tinkercad Robotics, SVG export, Send to Fusion

Topics Covered:

  • Design Thinking: empathise, define, ideate, prototype and test
  • Design for 3D Printing: overhangs, supports, wall thickness, print orientation, and tolerances and clearances
  • Multi-Part Assemblies: lids, pegs, press-fits and snap-fits
  • Moving Parts: print-in-place hinges and rotating joints
  • Electronics Enclosures: cases for Arduino and ESP32 boards with port cutouts, ventilation and mounting posts (Cross-links with Arduino SimLab)
  • Parametric Codeblocks: variables, maths, nested loops and customisable designs, exported as reusable shapes
  • Sim Lab Mechanisms: axle, slider and pivot connectors, motors, and graphing velocity, acceleration and position
  • Tinkercad Robotics: adding a Controller and programming motor speed and direction with blocks
  • Laser Cutting: exporting SVG profiles for flat-pack designs
  • Slicing & Printing: preparing STL files in slicers such as Cura, PrusaSlicer or Bambu Studio, including layer height, infill, and estimating print time and material
  • Next Steps: moving designs to Autodesk Fusion (noting limitations for imported SVGs/complex groups) and building a design portfolio
Mini Projects: Snap-Fit Lid Box · Print-in-Place Hinge Box · Arduino Uno Enclosure · Parametric Gear Set (Codeblocks) · Catapult tested in Sim Lab · Motorised Robot Car (Sim Lab + Robotics) · Flat-Pack Laser-Cut Pen Stand
Project Output: Assistive Product Design Capstone, an original product that solves a real everyday problem (for example an easy-grip utensil, a medicine organiser, or a self-watering plant pot). It must be a multi-part assembly with at least one moving part and be tested in Sim Lab. Learners submit print-ready STL files with a design portfolio showing their sketches, iterations and dimensions.
Electronics Connection: Level 3's Arduino enclosure project is a natural bridge to our Arduino SimLab Course. Electronics learners there can follow up with 3D enclosure fabrication!

Course Summary

Target Age: Ages 8–16
Levels: 3 Levels: Shape Shifters → Precision Makers → Product Engineers
Total Duration: 24 Weeks (~48 hours)
Format: Self-Paced Video
Platform: Autodesk Tinkercad (Free, browser & iPad app)
Requirements: Laptop/Desktop, Mouse & Chrome
3D Printer: Optional (Digital Designs)
Certificate: Axilearn Certified (Each Level)
Access: Free on Axilearn LMS

Key Highlights:

  • 100% free self-paced video tutorials
  • A clear path from simple shapes to engineered products
  • Precise, measurement-based design with the Sketch tool and SVG import
  • Code-generated 3D geometry with Codeblocks
  • Physics simulation, mechanisms and robotics in Sim Lab
  • Design for 3D printing and laser cutting (STL, OBJ, SVG)
  • 19 mini projects and 3 level-end projects, including a product design capstone
Course Notes & Guidance:
  • Under 13 Enrollment: Join via teacher's Tinkercad Classroom with nickname & class code.
  • Mouse Recommended: A computer mouse is highly recommended over trackpads for precise 3D orbiting.
  • Send to Fusion: Taught as an advanced next step for simpler native groups (may limit complex imported SVGs).
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