<p>Consider to construct an object of any suitable shape that will properly align with the edge of "A."</p>

<p>The attached image is certainly an odd-shaped object (from a previous test project).</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Xx97O.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Xx97O.png" alt="odd shaped object"></a></p>

<p>Add a regular/symmetrical object such as a cube and size it appropriately for your purpose. It would not have to be a cube, although such a shape provides for convenient alignment in this case:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/eZhfH.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/eZhfH.png" alt="convenient symmetrical object added"></a></p>

<p>Use the alignment tools feature in Tinkercad to align the desired edge(s). In this case, alignment is common right side, centered top to bottom.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/bY1D2.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/bY1D2.png" alt="unaligned image"></a></p>

<p>After clicking on the alignment button, lower right corner:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/hYNs9.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/hYNs9.png" alt="aligned image"></a></p>

<p>Group the two objects using the Group feature.</p>

<p>I created a sample alignment reference in this image and placed it in contact with the group.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/WMdPJ.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/WMdPJ.png" alt="second alignment item"></a></p>

<p>Move the group or reference item the desired distance:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/hZH2c.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/hZH2c.png" alt="moved object"></a></p>

<p>Select the group and ungroup it.
Select the initial alignment item and delete it.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/x1llT.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/x1llT.png" alt="delete this object"></a></p>

<p>Objective completed.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/EbYZH.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/EbYZH.png" alt="exercise completed"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-18T03:57:16.127Z
Excellent answer fred.u.  To the benefit of the OP I would add that if they find themself in need of doing this often, they would be probably best served by switching to a more powerful CAD package like FreeCAD, OnShape or Fusion360.  Those packages typically have much more concise and unobtrusive ways to express these kind of constraints... as constraints (so the relationship between objects will hold true even if you manipulate them).
mac
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-18T16:32:49.900Z
My experience within our makerspace is that many Tinkercad users tend to shy away from parametric packages. I'm a fan of OpenSCAD, but the math-phobic folks are terrified at using something that requires manipulation of numbers.  I've attempted to assist some users with Fusion 360, but tend to give up in short order due to the "numbers" aspect.
fred_dot_u
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-01-17T19:40:44.590Z
2018-01-17T19:40:44.590Z
fred_dot_u
<p>I have an odd-shaped object (I'll call it "A") that I have imported into a TinkerCAD drawing. Its dimensions do not align to any specific size, and therefore I can't really use the grid lock to help.</p>

<p>However, I need to get some other objects (called "B+") a specific and precise distance from the outside edge of "A". I was trying to get the ruler to lock to the edge of "A", but I can only get close.</p>

<p>Is there a way to do this so that I can get "B" perfectly positioned from the edge of "A"?</p>

<3d-design>
TinkerCAD Align to Odd Shaped Object
djb
# TinkerCAD Align to Odd Shaped Object

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-01-17)

I have an odd-shaped object (I'll call it "A") that I have imported into a TinkerCAD drawing. Its dimensions do not align to any specific size, and therefore I can't really use the grid lock to help.

However, I need to get some other objects (called "B+") a specific and precise distance from the outside edge of "A". I was trying to get the ruler to lock to the edge of "A", but I can only get close.

Is there a way to do this so that I can get "B" perfectly positioned from the edge of "A"?

**Tags:** 3d-design


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-01-17. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

Consider to construct an object of any suitable shape that will properly align with the edge of "A."

The attached image is certainly an odd-shaped object (from a previous test project).

[![odd shaped object](https://i.sstatic.net/Xx97O.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/Xx97O.png)

Add a regular/symmetrical object such as a cube and size it appropriately for your purpose. It would not have to be a cube, although such a shape provides for convenient alignment in this case:

[![convenient symmetrical object added](https://i.sstatic.net/eZhfH.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/eZhfH.png)

Use the alignment tools feature in Tinkercad to align the desired edge(s). In this case, alignment is common right side, centered top to bottom.

[![unaligned image](https://i.sstatic.net/bY1D2.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/bY1D2.png)

After clicking on the alignment button, lower right corner:

[![aligned image](https://i.sstatic.net/hYNs9.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/hYNs9.png)

Group the two objects using the Group feature.

I created a sample alignment reference in this image and placed it in contact with the group.

[![second alignment item](https://i.sstatic.net/WMdPJ.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/WMdPJ.png)

Move the group or reference item the desired distance:

[![moved object](https://i.sstatic.net/hZH2c.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/hZH2c.png)

Select the group and ungroup it.
Select the initial alignment item and delete it.

[![delete this object](https://i.sstatic.net/x1llT.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/x1llT.png)

Objective completed.

[![exercise completed](https://i.sstatic.net/EbYZH.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/EbYZH.png)

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Excellent answer fred.u.  To the benefit of the OP I would add that if they find themself in need of doing this often, they would be probably best served by switching to a more powerful CAD package like FreeCAD, OnShape or Fusion360.  Those packages typically have much more concise and unobtrusive ways to express these kind of constraints... as constraints (so the relationship between objects will hold true even if you manipulate them).  
> **username_1**: My experience within our makerspace is that many Tinkercad users tend to shy away from parametric packages. I'm a fan of OpenSCAD, but the math-phobic folks are terrified at using something that requires manipulation of numbers.  I've attempted to assist some users with Fusion 360, but tend to give up in short order due to the "numbers" aspect.  

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