For this activity we will be creating our own 3D object in Tinkercad, and downloading it for use with Merge’s Object Viewer app!
Step 1: Creating a 3D model in TinkerCad
TinkerCad is a free and easy-to-use online app for creating 3D objects. You can use any other 3D modeling tool as well, though TinkerCad is one of the easiest to learn.
Head over to tinkercad.com and click on “Start Tinkering”. You will need to create a new account using several sign in options.
You can pick up the basics here, such as how to add shapes, change the view, and move your shapes around. Using basic shapes like cones, cylinders, wedges and spheres, I made a spaceship! (And a little spaceman).
Using TinkerCad, make something interesting. It can be anything you want — a house, an animal, a tree… We’ll use it for your own hologram.
Step 2: Downloading your 3D Object
Once you are satisfied with your creation, click Export.
With the Download tab selected, click on Obj.
A .zip file should download to your device. You’ll need it for the final step: holding your own hologram!