TeachMe3DP tutorials are great for children, teens and adults to learn 3D modeling and 3D printing.

In order to use TeachMe3DP tutorials children should be familiar with using a computer mouse and have experience measuring. Most children are ready to use Level 1 tutorials in the 3rd or 4th grade.

In order to create the designs, you will need Tinkercad. Tinkercad is free and online, so you can access it from anywhere without needing to download anything.

In order to get your design to your printer, you will need slicing software. We like to use PrusaSlicer, which is available as a free download, but you can use other slicing programs, as well, such as Cura.

The tutorials are not designed for any specific printer. You can use them with any printer.

While most of the projects would also be printable on a resin printer, they were designed with FDM or FFF printers (most common in classrooms and homes) in mind.

If your printer has a small build plate (less than 200 mm x 200 mm), there are a few projects that you many need to scale down to fit on your build plate.

We recommend using PLA filament to print your projects. (If you are printing something that will be used for an extended period outdoors, you may want to consider PETG. It is slightly more difficult to use but can withstand outdoor elements better.)

The particular brand is not important. We have had good results using Polymaker and Matter Hackers, but you can try different brands to see which works best with your printer.

There are primarily two different sizes of filament: 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm (sometimes called 3 mm). Be sure to choose the correct size for your printer.

You can buy PLA filament with special characteristics, such as shiny (sometimes called silk), matte, glow-in-the-dark, or wood-infused. These specialty filaments are fun to use (and we do actually use them a lot), but they sometimes make getting a successful print more difficult.

Most of the time I use layering in order to add multiple colors. (The tutorial instructions will explain how to do this.) For example, if I were making a bookmark, I would make the background one color and the designs on top another color. By inserting a stop when I slice the design, the 3D printer will know to stop and allow me to change the filament color before it starts to print the top design. Again, how to do that will be explained in the tutorial.

I do also have a multi-material printer that allows me to print multiple colors within a single layer. A few projects do require a multi-material printer. If this is the case, it will be noted in the project description.

Projects are categorized by difficulty level.

Level 1 projects are the easiest. They contain step-by-step directions that show you exactly where to click to perform each task. You will learn how to add and resize shapes. You will learn how to align, group and duplicate objects. If this is your first time using Tinkercad, start with a Level 1 project and continue practicing with Level 1 projects until they feel easy.

Level 1+ projects are like Level 1 projects in that each task is described step-by-step. However, Level 1+ projects tend to be longer and have multiple parts.

Level 2 projects are designed for those who already have some 3D design experience. You should already be comfortable opening Tinkercad and creating a new design. You should be familiar with basic 3D design functions, such as creating, re-sizing, rotating, grouping, duplicating and aligning objects. In Level 2 tutorials you will perform the above tasks more independently, while learning to use more advanced techniques, such as using the ruler and workplane features to precisely position objects.

Level 2+ projects are Level 2 projects that are particularly lengthy and/or complex. Be sure you are ready for a challenge!

Level 3 projects do not include step-by-step directions but rather give you a design objective. They guide you through the Engineering Design Process as you brainstorm, design, print, test and re-design to create your very own 3D-printed project.

You can really choose from among any of the Level 1 projects, but some of the best projects for first-timers are the bookmark, the car, the coaster, the round ornament, the fidget spinner, the nametag, the round box, the shoe charms, and the keychain/zipper pull.

Most projects just require a 3D printer and filament. However, some do need additional items to work, such as a ball bearing or a mason jar. Check the Required Materials List for a project to see if you will need anything extra.