Introducing OpenSCAD
OpenSCAD is often referred to as a programmer's 3D design tool. Unlike many CAD environments out there, OpenSCAD designs are created by writing C-like code in an editor. Shapes created by commands may be added and subtracted from one another to create new objects. Re-usable functions and libraries may be easily written.
As an example, in Figure 4.1, the code cube([10,10,10], center=true); creates the cube we see on the right:
Figure 4.1 – Cube made in OpenSCAD
Objects for use in the real world may be easily designed using OpenSCAD code and exported to be printed on a 3D printer. Figure 4.2 shows a console tray for a 2012 Toyota Prius designed in OpenSCAD. This design was created using only a few lines of code:
Figure 4.2 – Console tray for a 2012 Toyota Prius
By virtue of being a programming environment, OpenSCAD is highly parameterizable. Parts created may be scaled or modified easily by...