Make Amazing Tinkercad 3D Design Images Without External Viewers, 3D Printing or AR Viewer

This instructable will explain how to make over-the-top images in Tinkercad, and only with Tinkercad. This instructable will also not go over on AR Viewer or 3D printing.

A Tinkercad account, a 3D design, a computer, and some patience.

Click on the design you want to design the thumbnail for, then click "Tinker this".

Note: Some of this image has been censored.

Click the falling apple. It will take you to a mode called Sim Lab. Luckily, Sim Lab's textures can be visualized.

You may have noticed that some of the objects are miscolored. This is because Sim Lab is still loading its hitbox. Wait for the objects to be colored again.

As said before, Sim Lab can visualize textures.

Change the texture by clicking the object, then clicking the cube above "Material". You can then choose a material and even see a preview of how it would look on a cube.

Did you know that you can actually change the texture and color of the workplane?

To edit the workplane's texture and color, select the landscape with roots. Now, you can access its visual properties just like how it works with a regular shape.

If you somehow wondered why the grid material exists, the workplane is the reason why. The grid material is for cosmetic purposes only and has the same properties as the plastic material.

Now, take screenshots of your model and crop them.

Exit the editor, click the same file you opened, and click "Upload Image".

Now, select the screenshots you took in the last step.

Choose an image you want to make your thumbnail. Then, click the three horizontal dots and then select "Set as cover image".