Tutorial Books - OpenSCAD Basics Tutorial

OpenSCAD Basics Tutorials

Tutorial Books

Copyright 2020 by Kishore

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Getting Started with OpenSCAD

Introduction to OpenSCAD

O penSCAD is a solid 3D modeler that allows you to create parametric models using its scripting language. You can create models by transforming and combining simple shapes. In OpenSCAD, everything is controlled by the parameters. For example, if you want to change the position of the hole shown in the figure, you need to change the X distance value of the translate () function.

The parameters that you set up allow you to have control over the design intent. The design intent describes the way your 3D model will behave when you modify the dimensions of the model. For example, if you want to position the hole at the center of the block, one way is to manually change the x distance value of the translate () function. However, when you change the size of the cube, the hole will not be at the center.

You can make the hole to be at the center, even if the size of the cube changes. To do this, you need to create the parameters of the model at the beginning of the script, as shown. Next, use the parameters in place of the values in the script. For example, change the x and z values of the translate () function to the cube_width/2 and cube_height/2 , respectively.

Now, even if you change the size of the cube, the hole will always remain at the center.

User Interface

T he following image shows the OpenSCAD window.

Toolbars in OpenSCAD

T here are two toolbars available in OpenSCAD: File and View .

The File toolbar has options to create files, open, save, render, and export files.

The View toolbar has the icons to modify the display of the model.