Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

OpenSCAD VS HackADay

Compare OpenSCAD VS HackADay and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

OpenSCAD logo OpenSCAD

OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects.

HackADay logo HackADay

Hackaday.io is a platform for people who like to build things.
  • OpenSCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-19

We recommend LibHunt OpenSCAD for discovery and comparisons of trending OpenSCAD projects.

  • HackADay Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-04

OpenSCAD features and specs

  • Parametric Design
    OpenSCAD allows for parametric design, meaning that models can be easily adjusted and customized by changing parameters. This makes it highly adaptable for a wide range of applications.
  • Script-based Modeling
    Using a scripting language for modeling allows for precise control and fine-tuning of designs. Users can write scripts to generate complex geometries that may be difficult to achieve through traditional CAD interfaces.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source software, OpenSCAD is freely available to download, use, and modify. This encourages a community-based approach to development and support.
  • Cross-Platform
    OpenSCAD is available on multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, enabling a wider range of users to access and use the software.
  • No GUI Overhead
    Because OpenSCAD relies on text-based scripting instead of a graphical user interface, it is lightweight and less resource-intensive compared to some other CAD programs.

Possible disadvantages of OpenSCAD

  • Steeper Learning Curve
    Users need to learn the OpenSCAD scripting language, which can be a barrier for those unfamiliar with coding or those coming from traditional CAD software background.
  • Limited GUI
    Unlike other CAD programs that offer extensive graphical tools for creating and modifying models, OpenSCAD has a minimal GUI. This can make it less intuitive for users who prefer visual interaction.
  • Rendering Speed
    Complex models can take a significant amount of time to render, which could be a drawback for users who need quick iterations and immediate visual feedback.
  • Limited Interactivity
    The interactivity in OpenSCAD is relatively limited. Users need to compile or preview their designs frequently to see changes, which can slow down the design process.
  • Fewer Features Compared to Professional CAD Software
    OpenSCAD lacks some advanced features and tools that are found in professional CAD software, limiting its use for certain complex design projects.

HackADay features and specs

  • Diverse Content
    Hackaday covers a wide range of topics within electronics, engineering, and DIY projects, catering to a broad audience with varied interests.
  • Community Engagement
    The site has a vibrant community that actively shares projects and ideas, providing a platform for collaboration and feedback.
  • Regular Updates
    Hackaday frequently updates its content, ensuring readers have access to the latest in technology and maker communities.
  • Educational Resources
    The site offers tutorials and how-to guides, valuable for both beginners and experienced makers looking to learn new skills.

Possible disadvantages of HackADay

  • Technical Complexity
    Some projects and articles are highly technical, which might be challenging for beginners to fully understand without additional context.
  • Variable Quality
    The quality of content can vary greatly, as it is community-driven and includes submissions from a wide range of contributors.
  • Niche Focus
    While Hackaday covers diverse topics within its niche, it may not appeal to individuals outside the DIY or maker community.
  • Advertisement Presence
    The website contains advertisements that can sometimes detract from user experience, especially during project navigation.

OpenSCAD videos

Tutorial: Using OpenSCAD To Make Your Wife Happy

More videos:

  • Tutorial - OpenSCAD Tutorial - Beginners Quickstart

HackADay videos

No HackADay videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OpenSCAD and HackADay)
3D
100 100%
0% 0
Digital Fabrication
0 0%
100% 100
Architecture
100 100%
0% 0
Additive Manufacturing
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare OpenSCAD and HackADay

OpenSCAD Reviews

11 KiCad Alternatives
OpenSCAD is a worldwide 3D CAD modeler that allows skilled programmers and designers to create solid 3D CAD objects in the shortest time feasible. The software works with Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux operating systems. This CAD application's distinguishing feature is that it is based on programming that includes 3D modelling, ready-to-use items and designs, and the ability...
9 Free CAD Software to Download
For those who want to work on the specifics, especially engineers, OpenSCAD is your ideal 3D modeling platform. It does not have interactive modeling for you to design your model, but instead relies more on what you defined in the parameters through the script files.

HackADay Reviews

We have no reviews of HackADay yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenSCAD should be more popular than HackADay. It has been mentiond 99 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

OpenSCAD mentions (99)

  • Visual Explanations of Mathematics
    There is also Joyce's Java Version of Euclid's Elements: https://mathcs.clarku.edu/~djoyce/java/elements/elements.html and I'm still impressed by the custom Unity tools which Freya Holmér uses for her videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvPPXbo87ds Wish Geogebra was both more capable and widely used: https://www.geogebra.org/ That said, these days if I need to plot out something I just use OpenSCAD:... - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Powerful, Open-Source, Programmatic CAD
    Or you can download OpenSCAD. https://openscad.org. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Make a thing
    As part of the task, I needed code-based CAD and I found one, probably the most popular out there - Openscad https://openscad.org/. It’s well known solution and definitely the learning curve is more gentle, but also not trivial, especially for more complex shapes. - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
  • POV-Ray – The Persistence of Vision Raytracer
    If you once enjoyed POV, check out OpenSCAD. It's quite similar in terms of CSG concepts and primitive animation capability, but more useful for getting actual mechanical design work done. https://openscad.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Ask HN: What Underrated Open Source Project Deserves More Recognition?
    There's OpenSCAD, but I don't think it's exactly what you mean https://openscad.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
View more

HackADay mentions (49)

  • Wells Fargo Fires over a Dozen for 'Simulation of Keyboard Activity'
    It seems like most of these devices (example: https://hackaday.com/?p=683252) have a fixed and unusual USB vendor+product ID that will surely come up in the system log. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Deej: An open-source hardware volume mixer for Windows and Linux
    Can't help you with a list. But https://hackaday.com/ features sometimes nice DIY project, I often also see them popping up on youtube. But you might be able to find some if you search on 3D printing websites such as https://www.printables.com/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • What are some fun ME-related coding projects?
    Https://hackaday.com/ has many ideas/previously made projects. They also reward you for bringing up something new. Also accept year around applications. Check it out. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: Did students lose interest in electronics as a hobby in the early 80s?
    We made abstractions successfully, world changing abstractions. Do the NAND to Tetris course and see that tech is abstractions on top of abstractions. Electronics today is frequently represented by code. Check out Verilog or VHDL. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardware_description_language Where electronics stayed interesting is in the realm where code meets reality -> robotics and art. Playing with LED's,... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • What is your go-to source for science/tech news?
    Hackaday for when I'm browsing cool ideas I can actually do myself. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing OpenSCAD and HackADay, you can also consider the following products

FreeCAD - An open-source parametric 3D modeler

Hackster - Hackster is a community dedicated to learning hardware.

LibreCAD - An open source 2D CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux.

Wikifactory - Engineer the future with Wikifactory. Wikifactory unifies teams in real-time, enabling efficient communication, streamlined workflows, and accelerated time-to-market.

BRL-CAD - BRL-CAD: Open Source Solid Modeling

Instructables - DIY How To Make Instructions