A couple of months ago I started teaching a course on microcontrollers. The idea was to use development boards in an automation lab, but, the small setback of the coronavirus irruption has delayed these plans. Thank God, I found a very cool web-based simulator to teach some concepts virtually, which saved my 🍑. So I'd like to talk about it in case anyone finds it interesting for any project, too.
 | Tinkercad® is an easy-to-use 3D CAD design software offered by Autodesk®. It is web-based, free (only requires to create an user account) and, although it is mainly known for its 3D designing tools, it also allows to assemble, program and simulate circuits, including the Arduino Uno platform. |
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So, in Tinkercad you can connect elements from a wide array of electrical components, program an Arduino and simulate analog and digital behaviors. Using the tool, the learning process is quite nice and quick due to the intuitive and visual interface. Even simulations are nicely depicted with fun animations and sounds.
The component library is very large, including, among others, ultrasonic distance sensors, PIR sensors, LED strips, DC motors, servos, LCDs, Wifi modules or motor controllers.
After several months of using Tinkercad (creating relatively simple circuits, I must say), one can notice:
GOOD POINTS
- It has a very intuitive and visual interface.
- You can find a wide variety of components to add to your design.
- You’ll find an integrated code editor and a debugger.
- It is great for educational purposes: there are many lessons included designed to get you through and instructors can even manage a classroom space for students. Moreover, it's possible to share projects with others through a online community.
- Through circuit assemblies, it enables users to add electronic components to 3D models, making possible move or light them up.
NEGATIVES
- You can't add your own or any third party libraries on Tinkercad (only the most common Arduino libraries are integrated).
- Sometimes, it seems servers don't respond as well as would be desirable, so you may spend some time insisting until it works again.
| Summing up, Tinkercad reveals to be a very nice and useful web-based platform (easy and free) that opens up the world of CAD, electronics and engineering for beginners, students and teachers. Use it and enjoy it! đź‘Ť |  |
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