r/openscad

Hi. I am very old OpenSCAD user, but I often need export to .STEP files and exact solid geometry. So I started to develop an abandoned project from GitHub – bcad, that was an attempt to make this task, based on OpenCASCADE. It was in very early stage of development, but my fork is almost useful already. It is portable, with versions for Windows and Linux. The project page is here: https://asm32.info/johnfound/bcad-openscad-syntax-with-exact-geometry ( Source repository here: https://asm32.info/fossil/bcad/ )

bCAD is not yet fully compatible with OpenSCAD, but I am working on it. Also it has some new features, based on OpenCASCADE that I miss in OpenSCAD. All this is work in progress in early stage. But I hope it will be useful for someone.

Built a viewer where you upload OpenSCAD source files and they compile + render into one sci-fi hologram scene, with a slider that explodes the assembly apart:

https://scad-hologram.vercel.app

Pipeline, for the curious:

• openscad-wasm runs in a module Web Worker (fresh instance per compile — callMain is single-shot), STL out
• STL -> BufferGeometry, cached in IndexedDB keyed by SHA-256 of the source so reloads never recompile
• react-three-fiber + drei: TransformControls gizmo writes into a placement layer (stored in OpenSCAD's Z-up coords; one wrapper group does the Y-up conversion exactly once)
• Hologram look: custom ShaderMaterial with fresnel rim + EdgesGeometry overlay + modest Bloom
• Explode = home + t \* explodeVector, vectors distance-proportional from the assembly centroid, damped in useFrame

Zero backend — static hosting, everything stays in the browser.

Disclosure: idea mine, \~all code written by Claude (Fable 5) in about 40 min from spec to deploy. Repo available if anyone wants to dig in.

Inspired by OpenSCAD Playground, and empowered by Gemini and Claude, as I'm not much of a Javascript programmer, I vibe-coded a free and open source OpenSCAD PWA called SCADLite, for getting web-centric platforms like ChromeOS in on the fun. The main driver for this project was the long-time observation that K-12 education is dominated by Chromebooks, and I feel that OpenSCAD is an amazing tool that should get more use in K-12 education. I know in K-12, 3D modeling is dominated by Autodesk software, but free and open source software should get more representation too, especially considering the multidisciplinary aspects of OpenSCAD -- modeling and programming. My PWA is at...

scadlite.com

My GitHub page for it is here, where I have features listed...

https://github.com/myoung8223/scadlite

It certainly doesn't have all of the bells and whistles of OpenSCAD. Getting modifiers working properly was also quite the challenge. I think I got them working properly, using multiple passes, though in this project, it seems like bugs rear their heads at every corner. The most recent major frustration was CodeJar, the JS-based code editor I was using, acting very bizarre. Perhaps that was my use of it, or just a natural ceiling for its capabilities. Replaced that with customized CodeMirror and that seems to be working out well so far. Also recently added model encoding in URLs. Other nifty features are support for importing fonts, STLs, and SVGs. The PWA works completely offline and self-contained.

Ultimately, when I'm modeling on a desktop I'll probably still be using the full-blown OpenSCAD application. Though I think this PWA is featured enough to be a handy tool for web-based platforms.

Ever wanted to see all your SCAD parts together as an assembly — and pull it apart like an exploded engineering drawing?

https://scad-hologram.vercel.app

• Upload multiple .scad files — the real OpenSCAD engine (WASM build) compiles them **in your browser**. No server, no install, files never leave your machine.
• Each file becomes a part in one shared scene. Align parts with a drag gizmo or exact X/Y/Z mm inputs (Z-up, your SCAD code is never modified — placement is a separate layer).
• One slider explodes/reassembles the whole assembly proportionally.
• Autosaves locally; exports a single JSON with your layout + sources embedded.

v1 limits: self-contained files only (no include/use libraries yet — bundled libs are next), one part per file.

Fair disclosure: the idea is mine but the code was almost entirely written by Claude (Fable 5), from spec to deployment, in about 40 minutes. Happy to share the repo and take feature requests — library support? per-part explode direction overrides?

https://preview.redd.it/884qdho0qlah1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=e5d6d341bc69373b09e777d1fe1e8c9fe1c4e258

I've made an angle guide for sharpening knifes using a whetstone. I'm having problems identifying good, idiomatic ways to write the OpenSCAD code, however, so I would really appreciate any feedback on the code.

Sure, if you want to comment on my design, feel free, but I'm primarily looking for opinions on the code and techniques used.

I'm using the BOSL2 library, so I guess at least knowing how attachments work is a prerequisite.

The code is available on github

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I've made a flat print design. I'd like to turn it into wirework, and make a 3d shape . I've used cad, but I have used sculptris, and used it as if it were a ball of clay. To make human esque curvy shapes.. Ive always approached these things as an artist with no real mathematics or digital skills. The design I'm working on requires the opposite of what sculptris offers. I'm just aiming to make a 4 sided pyramid shape with wire work . But I have no idea where to start. I have nade it in real life haha, but i realise that if i had it in CAD, i can play around with scale and duplication far quicker and easier. I'm not a student anymore, I'd prefer to not spend loaaaads of money on software or memberships. Any advice welcome. I'm from UK if that effects software aswell

Hi all! 

Yesterday was my first post in this sub with my New Watch build, and today is my second, hopefully more useful post. 

What I showed was the final result of countless research, design, and development hours, and this SCAD document was one of the biggest results from it. I went back and forth on sharing, mainly because i didn't know if anyone would find it useful, but after a little research im confident at least some of you will appreciate this. 

This is an OpenSCAD document that allows you to parametrically generate custom watch dials, custom Chapter rings, and dial text. It has many features and is a huge hunk of code, but i'll walk you through using it.

Let me know if you have any questions or want to see any updates or additional features!

PLEASE DM ME AS ITS NOT LETTING ME POST THE FILES

FEATURES: 

- Ability to generate models for 3d printing or for laser engraving (for laser engraving, you still need to convert the DXF though i believe.

 - Dial generator with multiple dial patterns

 - Chapter ring generator with markers

- Spacer ring creation (Just make slope 0)

- Hour markers (Standard and Divers)

- 12 hour marker styles and sizing

- Markers can be indented or raised

- Lume Pockets

- Custom dial text

- custom sizing on all things

- watch hands visualizer and safety logging to ensure the things you create will be able to accept watch dials and save you iteration time

a note on 3d printing: if you're using FDM printing, i HIGHLY recommend using a .2 nozzle and making sure your filament is super dry. for resin printing, it'll just come out great so no worries there. I have not tried laser engraving yet so would love to hear about your results if you try it out.

I can provide 3d printing profiles to help you get a good clean print if needed. I did have to change a few settings to get everything to look good.

Anyone got SolidWorks up and running?

Need to open and review a SolidWorks model

My pc not working at the moment