modeling

Browser-Based 3D Modeling with Tinkercad

By Chris Connors

Chris Connors

Making things is the best way to learn about our world.

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Back a few years ago, if you wanted to design a 3D object, there were only a few options. Not many of those options were free or easy. TinkerCAD appears to be one of the many new modeling options that promises both free and easy. At World Maker Faire, I had a chance to see the browser-based TinkerCAD in action. It does appear that it is easy to operate, and free, if you can get it to run in the browser on your computer. TinkerCAD requires Windows Vista or OS X 10.6, so that will work on one computer at my house and one in my classroom.

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Turning a Tamiya Solar Car into a Steampunky Train

Turning a Tamiya Solar Car into a Steampunky Train

By Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

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I was taken by your Tamiya nomination for The Makeys, as I had a ball making something quite different from one of their kits. I was driving to a hobby shop (no surprise there!) at lunch one day. When I pulled into the parking lot of the strip mall, I saw what looked to be an electric bug making large and speedy circles on the asphalt.

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How-To: Scratchbuilt Hoth Laser Turret

How-To: Scratchbuilt Hoth Laser Turret

By Sean Michael Ragan

Sean Michael Ragan

I am descended from 5,000 generations of tool-using primates. Also, I went to college and stuff. I am a long-time contributor to MAKE magazine and makezine.com. My work has also appeared in ReadyMade, c't – Magazin für Computertechnik, and The Wall Street Journal.

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It’s not a blow-by-blow tutorial, but these two posts from professional modeler Michael Fichtenmayer give a great general overview of his process for building these cool “DF.9 Anti Infantry Batteries” from the “Star Wars” universe from styrene stock and Bondo.

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Faux Molten Lava/Metal Effects

Faux Molten Lava/Metal Effects

By Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

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Another day, another awesome project email from Craig Smith. Craig wrote in to share with us some details about the faux molten lava effect he achieved on his Mustafarian Panning Droid he showed off at the Celebration IV Star Wars convention.

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Steampunk Mr. Potato Head!

Steampunk Mr. Potato Head!

By Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

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I knew this was going to happen? Steampunk Mr. Potato Head

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Alt.CES: Life-sized R/C VW Bug

Alt.CES: Life-sized R/C VW Bug

By Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

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Francisco Fondi, of Hobby Media, sent us news of this wonderful project, by some German mechanics who call themselves The Bug Box. They’re building a life-size replica of the Tamiya R/C Scorcher, released 30 years ago. The original R/C VW Bug model was 1/10th and is probably the bestselling (and one of the most beloved) […]

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