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> OpenSCAD is a one-way, declarative CSG environment that essentially only outputs mesh formats This is why such a basic-seeming thing as “how do i get the bou

> OpenSCAD is a one-way, declarative CSG environment that essentially only outputs mesh formats This is why such a basic-seeming thing as “how do i get the bounding box for this CSG frankenobject I’ve created?” comes up again and again on stackoverflow etc. it’s apparently not possible without some hacks. I’ll take a look at the alternatives you mentioned, thanks.

criddell 2y ago
I’d recommend taking a look at SolidWorks. For hobbyist use, it’s $50 / year or $15 for a month. You will save yourself so much time and headaches and develop a skill that could be useful for your resume.
- WillAdams 2y ago
  If you're a U.S. (or Canadian) Veteran it's $20/year. BUT for these reduced price options, it's the educational version, and the files are watermarked, and the license precludes commercial use. That said, if your goal is to learn a CAD program and get a job --- in an industry/region which uses Solidworks_ (for some reason, CAD usage seems to be specific to either certain industries or regions, though SW is almost certainly the most widespread), that is definitely the way to go, along with a Community College course/degree and/or a training certificate: https://www.solidworks.com/solidworks-certification-program https://www.solidworks.com/solidworks-certification-program
- Filligree 2y ago
  Or OnShape, which isn't quite as capable, but is free and probably easier to learn.
- avhon1 2y ago
  Siemens Solid Edge is also available in a free community edition. https://resources.sw.siemens.com/en-US/download-solid-edge-community-edition https://resources.sw.siemens.com/en-US/download-solid-edge-c...
  - WillAdams 2y ago
    What are the specifics of that license? Is commercial use allowed?
RobotToaster 2y ago
OpenSCAD is often said to be for programmers, but in some ways it's more for mathematicians. If you know the formula/code for the object, you can calculate the bounding box, but that isn't a way most programmers are used to thinking.
- rlpb 2y ago
  I can calculate the bounding box, or indeed the exact position and orientation of some surface I want to add to, but that’s tedious and so I don’t want to. It’s like programming without higher level language constructs. Yes, lower level languages are still Turing-complete so can technically do everything. But the necessary housekeeping distracts from the real problem I’m trying to solve.

criddell 2y ago

I’d recommend taking a look at SolidWorks. For hobbyist use, it’s $50 / year or $15 for a month. You will save yourself so much time and headaches and develop a skill that could be useful for your resume.

WillAdams 2y ago
If you're a U.S. (or Canadian) Veteran it's $20/year. BUT for these reduced price options, it's the educational version, and the files are watermarked, and the license precludes commercial use. That said, if your goal is to learn a CAD program and get a job --- in an industry/region which uses Solidworks_ (for some reason, CAD usage seems to be specific to either certain industries or regions, though SW is almost certainly the most widespread), that is definitely the way to go, along with a Community College course/degree and/or a training certificate: https://www.solidworks.com/solidworks-certification-program https://www.solidworks.com/solidworks-certification-program
Filligree 2y ago
Or OnShape, which isn't quite as capable, but is free and probably easier to learn.
avhon1 2y ago
Siemens Solid Edge is also available in a free community edition. https://resources.sw.siemens.com/en-US/download-solid-edge-community-edition https://resources.sw.siemens.com/en-US/download-solid-edge-c...
- WillAdams 2y ago
  What are the specifics of that license? Is commercial use allowed?

RobotToaster 2y ago

OpenSCAD is often said to be for programmers, but in some ways it's more for mathematicians. If you know the formula/code for the object, you can calculate the bounding box, but that isn't a way most programmers are used to thinking.

rlpb 2y ago
I can calculate the bounding box, or indeed the exact position and orientation of some surface I want to add to, but that’s tedious and so I don’t want to. It’s like programming without higher level language constructs. Yes, lower level languages are still Turing-complete so can technically do everything. But the necessary housekeeping distracts from the real problem I’m trying to solve.