OpenSCAD

src: www.3dprinter.net

OpenSCAD is a free software application for creating solid 3D CAD (computer-aided design) objects. It is a script-only based modeller that uses its own description language; parts can be previewed, but it cannot be interactively selected or modified by mouse in the 3D view. An OpenSCAD script specifies geometric primitives (such as spheres, boxes, cylinders, etc.) and defines how they are modified and combined (for instance by intersection, difference, envelope combination and Minkowski sums) to render a 3D model. As such, the program does constructive solid geometry (CSG). OpenSCAD is available for Windows, Linux and OS X.

Video OpenSCAD

Previewing

For fast previewing of models using z-buffering, OpenSCAD employs OpenCSG and OpenGL.

The 3D model position can be interactively manipulated in the view with a mouse similarly to other 3D modellers. It is also possible to define a default "camera" position in the script.

Part colors can be defined in the 3D view (including transparency).

Preview is relatively fast and allows interactive modifications while modifying the script.

The model renderer takes into account lighting, but the lighting source is not modifiable.

Maps OpenSCAD

3D volumes computation

In contrast, CGAL is used for full 3D geometry rendering, which, as with other CSG geometry engines, can sometimes take several minutes or hours to complete.

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Use

OpenSCAD allows a designer to create accurate 3D models and parametric designs that can be easily adjusted by changing the parameters.

OpenSCAD documents are human-readable scripts in plain ASCII text.

As such, OpenSCAD is a programmer-oriented solid-modeling tool and has been recommended as an entry-level CAD tool for designing open-source hardware such as scientific tools for research and education.

It is mostly used to design 3D printed parts, which are exported in STL format.

src: 3dprintport.com

Exportation

• Views can be exported in PNG format.
• 2D models can be exported in AutoCAD DXF.
• 3D parts can be exported in AMF, OFF, STL, as simple volumes. There is no color, material nor parts definition in the exported model (July 2016).

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Importation

• 2D drawings in DXF can be imported, then extruded as monolithic parts.
• 3D parts can be imported in STL and can be scaled and submitted to subs-tractive or additive operations.

src: forum.openscad.org

Animation

Animation is possible with a speed of a few images per seconds for simple models. The animation can have effect on any parameter, being it the camera position or the parts dimensions, position, shape or existence. It can be recorded as a set of images usable to build films.

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Design

OpenScad is a wrapper to a CSG engine with a GUI interface and integrated editor, developed in C++. As of 2016, it uses the Computational Geometry Algorithms Library (CGAL) as its basic CSG engine.

Its script syntax is based upon functional programming philosophy and does not use real variables.

src: forum.openscad.org

See also

• List of computer-aided design editors for architecture, engineering and construction
• PLaSM is another open source scripting language for creating 3D objects
• C-CSG is a similar composite solid geometry modeler that uses script/source files

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References

src: www.meccanismocomplesso.org

External links

• Official website
• OpenSCAD User Manual at Wikibooks
• Media related to OpenSCAD at Wikimedia Commons
• OpenSCAD page on Shapeoko wiki -- includes links to supporting utilities, special purpose tools (such as a screw generator) and includes an example of creating a Machinist's diamond, circle, square milling test as a parameterized file suitable for re-creating at any desired size.
• Videos on the basics of modeling with OpenSCAD

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Related software

• OpenJscad Web interface for a programmatic modeller with partial compatibility with OpenScad scripts. Developed in Javascript.
• PLaSM (Programming Language of Solid Modeling) an open source script driven solid modeler.
• ImplicitCAD Script-based modeller with an custom graphic engine. It does have an internal object model. Syntax similar but different from OpenScad. No GUI.
• Varkon Programmatic modeller with interactivity between the 3D view and the programmatic model. No development since 2009.
• Rapcad Programmatic modeller
• CoffeeScad Browser based programmatic modeller using CoffeeScript syntax. No development since 2013.

Source of article : Wikipedia