https://openscad.org/

It’s software cad. You write code that makes the 3d model. And then you print the 3d model.

The last “official release” was 2 years ago. But development (and community) is active. You gotta get the nightly builds.

  • Croquette@sh.itjust.works
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    4 days ago

    You can do parametric design in other CAD software, but openscad, being a coding software, lends itself particularly well for that.

    In my experience doing parametric design in Fusion360 is a lot more tedious than in OpenSCAD.

    • doktormerlin@feddit.org
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      4 days ago

      I think the biggest benefit is sharing.

      While you can do parametric design in Fusion, if you share it you can only share it with people using Fusion. Same with other CAD software, you are limiting the userbase.

      OpenSCAD on the other hand is a slim FOS tool that anyone can download, it’s not limited.

      • Jocarnail@lemmy.world
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        4 days ago

        I agree but with a caveat: openscad still requires people to understand code. It is still. A whole new skillset that not everyone is going to want to learn.

        • doktormerlin@feddit.org
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          3 days ago

          You can still share the STL though :)

          And for the OpenSCAD files I saw so far, the most important variables are usually well documented with comments at the top of the file, which makes it easier for most people how to adapt the files to their needs without knowledge of coding.

      • Croquette@sh.itjust.works
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        4 days ago

        That’s a great point. OpenSCAD is lightweight and FOSS so it is a lot easier to share than Fusion360 for example

        • mholiv@lemmy.world
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          4 days ago

          OpenSCAD is only lightweight till you start working with Minkowski transformations and hulls. Then you just want a faster CPU.

            • mholiv@lemmy.world
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              3 days ago

              Two reasons.

              1. In conjunction with hulls to make nice organic shapes. Cubes and Prisms are nice but I like my designs to look organic. Nice round edges make for nicer 3d prints too.
              2. Concave Fillets