Programming with OpenSCAD : a beginner's guide to coding 3D-printable objects

Programming with OpenSCAD is a STEM-focused, learn-to-code book for beginners that introduces core computational thinking concepts through the design of 3D-printable objects. Develop coding skills as you build increasingly complex 3D models and print them into fun games, puzzles, and more. OpenSCAD is freely available open source software that enables nondesigners to easily create 3D designs using a text-based programming language. It’s a great language for beginners because the instant 3D visualization gives you immediate feedback on the results of your code. This book channels OpenSCAD’s visual benefits and user-friendliness into a STEAM-focused, project-based tutorial that teaches the basics of coding, 3D printing, and computational thinking while you develop your spatial reasoning by creating 3D designs with OpenSCAD. Presuming no prior experience with either programming or 3D design, each chapter builds a scaffolded understanding of core concepts. You’ll start by defining, drawing and displaying geometric primitives with text-based code, then expand your creative toolbox with transformation operations – like rotating, reflecting, scaling, and combining shapes. As the projects become more sophisticated, so will your programming skills; you’ll use loops for replicating objects, if statements for differentiating your designs, and parameterized, self-contained modules to divide longer scripts into separate files. Along the way, you'll learn 3D printing tips so that you can produce physical mementos of your progress and get physical feedback that lets you correct mistakes in real time. In addition, the book provides hands-on and accessible design exercises at the end of each chapter so that you can practice applying new concepts immediately after they are introduced. You’ll learn: • Programming basics like working with variables, loops, conditional statements, and parameterized modules • Transformation operations, such as rotate, reflect, and scale, to create complex shapes • Extrusion techniques for turning 2D shapes into elaborate 3D designs • Computational-thinking concepts, including decomposition, abstraction, and pattern recognition • OpenSCAD’s Boolean, Minkowski and hull operations for combining multiple 3D shapes into one • 3D design fundamentals, like navigating the xyz-axis, orthogonal vs. perspective views, and constructive solid geometry • Organizing bigger designs into separate files to make code more readable and collaborative Accessibly written for a wide audience (advanced middle schoolers, high school students, college students, artists, makers and lifelong-learners alike), this is the perfect guide to becoming proficient at programming in general and 3D modeling in particular. About the Authors Contents in Detail Acknowledgments Introduction What Is OpenSCAD? Who This Book Is For Why Learn to Code with OpenSCAD? 3D Printing and OpenSCAD What’s in This Book Terminology and Conventions Used in This Book A Brief Introduction to 3D Design with OpenSCAD Understanding 3D Points Using the OpenSCAD 3D-View Toolbar Final Tips for Getting the Most Out of This Book Chapter 1: 3D Drawing with OpenSCAD Why Use OpenSCAD? Getting Started with OpenSCAD Drawing Basic 3D Shapes Drawing Cuboids with cube Drawing Spheres with sphere Drawing Cylinders and Cones with cylinder Importing 3D Models with import Modifying Basic Shapes Moving Shapes Smoothing Curves with $fn Combining 3D Shapes with Boolean Operations Subtracting Shapes with difference Carving Out Overlapping Shapes with intersection Grouping Shapes with union Getting Ready for 3D Printing Summary Calibration Pyramid Smiley-Face Pendant Hole-and-Pins Test Chapter 2: More Ways to Transform Shapes OpenSCAD Shape Transformations Rotating Shapes with rotate Reflecting Shapes with mirror Scaling Shapes with resize More Ways to Combine 3D Shapes Combining Shapes with hull Combining Shapes with minkowski Combining Transformations Summary Game Die Desktop Organizer Chapter 3: 2D Shapes Drawing Basic 2D Shapes Drawing Circles with circle Drawing Rectangles with square Drawing Polygons with polygon Drawing Words with text Applying Transformation and Boolean Operations on 2D Shapes Extruding Shapes Vertically with linear_extrude Extruding Shapes Along a Circle with rotate_extrude Growing and Shrinking a Shape with offset Importing 2D Shapes with import Summary Storytelling Dice Project Box for Storytelling Dice Trophy Chapter 4: Using Loops and Variables Leaving Notes with Comments Writing Single-Line Comments with // Writing Multiline Comments with /* */ Repeating Code with a for Loop Debugging for Loops with echo Using Variables and Arithmetic Naming Variables Applying Mathematical Operations on Variables Using Math and Variables Inside for Loops Using Arithmetic to Create Unique Patterns Using Nested Loops to Draw 2D and 3D Grids Generating the Windows in a Skyscraper with Nested Loops Triple Nesting to Create a 3D Grid of Shapes Summary Detail Test Towers of Hanoi Puzzle Tic-Tac-Toe Game Chapter 5: Modules Simplifying Code with Modules Splitting Your Design into Multiple Files Adding Parameters to Your Modules Building a LEGO Brick Sharing and Collaborating Summary Skyscraper LEGO Library Chapter 6: Dynamic Designs with if Statements Using if Statements Defining Complex Conditions Choosing Boolean Operators Using Logical Operators to Combine Boolean Expressions Following an Expanded Order of Operations Making Two-Way Choices with if...else Statements Using Extended if Statements Using Nested if Statements Useful Applications of if Statements Setting Up a Design Mode and Print Mode Using Random Numbers as a Design Element Summary Random Forest Clock City of Random Skyscrapers Chapter 7: Designing Big Projects The Design Cycle Leaning Tower of Pisa Model Step 1: Investigate—Define Multiple Views Step 2: Plan—Apply Computational Thinking Step 3: Create—Use a Walking Skeleton Approach Step 4: Evaluate—Decide Which Design Process Steps to Repeat Walking Skeleton: Building the Leaning Tower of Pisa Iteration 1: Connecting the Tower’s Basic Building Blocks Iteration 2: Finding Repetition in the Middle Section Iteration 3: Adding More Details to the Middle Section Iteration 4: Adding Details to the Top Section Iteration 5: Adding Details to the Bottom Section Final Evaluation of the Design Cycle Design Organization Overview Summary Afterword Learn More About OpenSCAD The Open Source Ethos Motivation and Ecosystem Online Citizenship OpenSCAD and the Maker Movement Making and Creative Problem-Solving 2D Fabrication Physical Computing Makerspaces Final Ideas for More Practice Customizable Measuring Spoons Customizable Vacuum Tool Customizable Flowerpots Drawer Box Lab Clamps Chess Set Pegboard Wizard Appendix A: OpenSCAD Language Reference Syntax Operators 2D Shapes 3D Shapes Boolean Operations Shape Transformations Loops, Decisions, and List Comprehensions Other Shape Operations Modifier Characters Special Variables Mathematical Functions Other Functions Appendix B: OpenSCAD Visual Reference 3D Primitives 2D Shapes Combining Shapes Transformations Loops Index "OpenSCAD is freely available open source software that enables nondesigners to easily create 3D designs using a text-based programming language. It's a great language for beginners because the instant 3D visualization gives you immediate feedback on the results of your code. This book channels OpenSCAD's visual benefits and user-friendliness into a STEAM-focused, project-based tutorial that teaches the basics of coding, 3D printing, and computational thinking while you develop your spatial reasoning by creating 3D designs with OpenSCAD. Presuming no prior experience with either programming or 3D design, each chapter builds a scaffolded understanding of core concepts. You'll start by defining, drawing and displaying geometric primitives with text-based code, then expand your creative toolbox with transformation operations - like rotating, reflecting, scaling, and combining shapes. As the projects become more sophisticated, so will your programming skills; you'll use loops for replicating objects, if statements for differentiating your designs, and parameterized, self-contained modules to divide longer scripts into separate files. Along the way, you'll learn 3D printing tips so that you can produce physical mementos of your progress and get physical feedback that lets you correct mistakes in real time. In addition, the book provides hands-on and accessible design exercises at the end of each chapter so that you can practice applying new concepts immediately after they are introduced." -- Site web de l'éditeur A Beginner’s Guide to 3D Modeling is a project-based, straightforward introduction to computer-aided design (CAD). You’ll learn how to use Autodesk Fusion 360, the world’s most powerful free CAD software, to model gadgets, 3D print your designs, and create realistic images just like an engineering professional—with no experience required! Hands-on modeling projects and step-by-step instructions throughout the book introduce fundamental 3D modeling concepts. As you work through the projects, you’ll master the basics of parametric modeling and learn how to create your own models, from simple shapes to multipart assemblies. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll learn more advanced modeling concepts like sweeps, lofts, surfaces, and rendering, before pulling it all together to create a robotic arm. You’ll learn how to: • Design a moving robotic arm, a door hinge, a teapot, and a 20-sided die • Create professional technical drawings for manufacturing and patent applications • Model springs and other complex curves to create realistic designs • Use basic Fusion 360 tools like Extrude, Revolve, and Hole • Master advanced tools like Coil and Thread Whether you’re a maker, hobbyist, or artist, A Beginner’s Guide to 3D Modeling is certain to show you how to turn your ideas into professional models. Go ahead—dust off that 3D printer and feed it your amazing designs. The Creator of OpenSCAD, Marius Kintel, teaches anyone how to code and print fun games, puzzles, and more. OpenSCAD is free, open-source 3D modeling software; its easy-to-use programming interface is great for beginners, because the simple design lets you quickly display and view the results of your code. In Learn to Code with 3D Printing , OpenSCAD's creator will teach you all you need to know to design, program, and create amazing 3D-printed projects. Along the way, beginning programmers are introduced to essential programming concepts, like variables, loops, functions, and more. "A practical guide to 3D CAD modeling. Begins with the principles of parametric modeling and assembly methods, and then moves on to advanced modeling concepts such as 3D sketching and splines, helixes and ribs, technical drawing, and rendering"-- Provided by publisher