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OpenSCAD

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

OpenSCAD

OpenSCAD Reviews and Details

This page is designed to help you find out whether OpenSCAD is good and if it is the right choice for you.

Screenshots and images

  • OpenSCAD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-19

Features & Specs

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

Badges & Trophies

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Videos

Tutorial: Using OpenSCAD To Make Your Wife Happy

OpenSCAD Tutorial - Beginners Quickstart

Social recommendations and mentions

We have tracked the following product recommendations or mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you see what people think about OpenSCAD and what they use it for.
  • 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 / 4 months ago
  • Powerful, Open-Source, Programmatic CAD
    Or you can download OpenSCAD. https://openscad.org. - Source: Hacker News / 9 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 / 11 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 / 12 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
  • Help for the mentally challenged! I am trying to find easy software to create this drawing and export it as a 3d printer file. And going slightly mad as 3d software is different... Any advice welcome please.
    For something this simple you can use OpenSCAD (https://openscad.org). It's free and pretty easy to learn. Below are the two commands required to produce the solid object indicated by the picture. The application can export anything you create as an STL. Source: over 1 year ago
  • code to design
    Are you asking about something like https://openscad.org which allows you to code your model? An example of its use can be seen in the OpenFlexure project. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Free 3D Modeling Software not web-based?
    I use OpenSCAD. https://openscad.org - it's what the Thingiverse Customizer is based on (and if you upload .scad files to Thingiverse, the Customizer works for your design too). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Generative AI for 3D Modeling and Printing
    One tool many people use for parametric modeling is OpenSCAD which is very utilitarian and has methods for constructing 3d and 2d geometry (and 3d from 2d such as extrusion). - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • Just bought my first 3D printer
    OpenSCAD is free and open source. It's great for creating functional parts. Its input .scad files are just plain text files. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Remove text
    Download OpenSCAD from https://openscad.org and that NameTag.scad file from Thingiverse. Open the scad file in OpenSCAD, and use OpenScad’s text editor or Customizer view to replace ‘your name’ hit ‘Render’ then export to STL. Print the STL. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Seeking High-Quality Casino-Grade Four-Sided Dice (d4) in Symmetrical Tetrahedron Shape
    In the open source, cross platform, OpenSCAD, the following makes a regular tetrahedron:. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Tech bro needs hobby suggestion :p
    You'll feel right at home with OpenSCAD ("The programmer's solid 3D CAD modeller). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • New Prusa Owner (MK4)
    Yea. Parametric is the right world. That would be very nice to have. Almost every single Parametric model (example) on Printables is on F360 (or the older ones in OpenSCAD - but they haven't done a new release in years now). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Working on a OpenSCAD script to generate lamp shade models, or whatever those are
    It's a CAD modeller, but unlike traditional ones, you have to write code to create models. If that wasn't enough, its using a functional programming language, which takes some time to get used to. See https://openscad.org/. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Program to write measures, and the shape is drawn with proper size
    Paste the following into OpenSCAD and it will do that you want:. Source: about 2 years ago
  • So... What is up with the 0.6mm nozzle?
    OpenSCAD is "Open-source Scripted Computer Aided Design". It's a free software package to design 3D models, and it runs on Windows, MacOS, and Linux. You get it from https://openscad.org/ - there are good tutorials available, it's easy to get started, but harder to get good at it, because there's a learning curve. Source: about 2 years ago
  • So... What is up with the 0.6mm nozzle?
    OTOH, I'm mostly printing things like OpenSCAD procedurally generated "project boxes" and other larger prints. Source: about 2 years ago
  • OpenSCAD's Web Playground got upgraded (still Alpha)
    Now much faster and more stable thanks to the Manifold engine (https://github.com/elalish/manifold. Also much better code completion, and ships with a few examples from the various bundled libraries to get you started. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • So I recently got a 3D printer for my birthday (my wife overheard me talking about how cool they were and how I wanted to get one) and I'm trying to figure out some free cad programs. I've been using tinkercad this past week, but doesn't seem to be enough tools. Anyone has some better options?
    I tried a few things, and wound up with OpenSCAD. It takes a different approach, basically you program matter. It's not for everyone, but it is quite powerful and if you have done some computer programming you might want to look at it. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Looking for advice to make my own prints from scratch
    Many designs on Thingiverse and Printables come with OpenSCAD files that you can customize. If you're comfortable with programming, you'll be comfortable with OpenSCAD. It's available on Windows, MacOS, and Linux, and it's free. https://openscad.org. Source: about 2 years ago

External sources with reviews and comparisons of OpenSCAD

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 to programme new objects. It is also one...
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.

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Is OpenSCAD good? This is an informative page that will help you find out. Moreover, you can review and discuss OpenSCAD here. The primary details have not been verified within the last quarter, and they might be outdated. If you think we are missing something, please use the means on this page to comment or suggest changes. All reviews and comments are highly encouranged and appreciated as they help everyone in the community to make an informed choice. Please always be kind and objective when evaluating a product and sharing your opinion.