5 ms·

OpenSCAD is your friend.

fragmede 2y ago
OpenSCAD feels very dated, not only due to the editor and the fonts used, but shortcomings due to language limitations when coming from other software, but it works.
- Klaster_1 2y ago
  I had much better experience with a VSCode and anOpenSCAD extension compared to the stitch editor. Pair that with the latest master build for extra performance.
- wickedsight 2y ago
  Also the fact that sometimes things can take ages to render. I did have some fun results getting ChatGPT to create OpenSCAD scripts. It created a fully functional parametric christmas tree for me, which I thought was kinda cool.
  - gotts 2y ago
    how big are your assemblies? I had some issues on large assemblies but after Manifold rendering release it became much much faster.
- tliltocatl 2y ago
  There is also https://github.com/mirmik/zencad https://github.com/mirmik/zencad. Full Python and OpenCASCADE core, so feels less quirky than OpenSCAD.
throw646577 2y ago
Is it? IMO sticking with OpenSCAD is fundamentally limiting your progress with modelling for 3D printing. It's not CAD. Simple parts, yes. Geometry and trigonometry demos? Yes. Actual computer-aided design... no not really.
- WillAdams 2y ago
  The great thing about OpenSCAD is that it makes representing things which can be described mathematically easy. The awful limitation of OpenSCAD is that one's ability to model in it is limited by one's knowledge of math and trigonometry. The funny thing is, when it comes down to actual manufacture, ultimately, one is making G-code, which is limited to lines and arcs in most implementations --- so I'm approaching it thus by way of Python in OpenSCAD: https://github.com/WillAdams/gcodepreview https://github.com/WillAdams/gcodepreview
- Joel_Mckay 2y ago
  In some ways, but for off axis parabolic mirrors with internal geometry Openscad seemed to work fine. Additionally, the parametric formats are fundamentally necessary when working in plastics which tend to shift around during additive manufacturing. I like that OpenScad integrates into FreeCad, and can do more than lousy STL outputs. It is far from perfect, but can solve some problems with ease. Most cloud based software strips one of long-term stability in the design folder (can no longer store a version snapshot of the project binary dependencies), and so poses a liability to any firm running large infrastructures. For one-off stuff, one could argue it doesn't matter. But in someways, FreeCad beside the project files will be viewable/exportable forever. Unfortunately, now the Solidworks offline workflow also requires the online license nag screen every 30 days. However, it is not part of Autodesks walled garden built on internet stability (a significant issue in a remote field deployment.) Good luck, =3
  - throw646577 2y ago
    Oh I'm a FreeCAD person anyway. OpenSCAD was a useful stepping stone for me, from programming to 3D. But I've been doing my own designs in FreeCAD for two and a half years or so. I just think the typical groundswell of HN support for OpenSCAD is a bit misguided; it sort of relies on near-wilfully ignoring what GUI CAD -- even FreeCAD -- can do for one's designs. Yes, it's good for simple geometry, and some more advanced mathematical geometry. But it boxes you in pretty quickly because you cannot easily compose geometry based on the outputs of previous operations.
chasd00 2y ago
I’ve used openscad and some of my friends swear by it. I eventually just bit the bullet and climbed the fusion360 learning curve. Everything has been smooth sailing once over that hump.
criddell 2y ago
Right now you can get a year of SolidWorks for Makers for $24. If all you've ever used is OpenSCAD or OpenCascade-based software, you are in for a pleasant surprise.
- WillAdams 2y ago
  I bought the Veterans' license for Solidworks a couple of times --- the UI never really clicked for me (fortunately, it was at least useful for my son to do homework with). The one 3D CAD program which I was successful with, after a fashion is the nascent Dune 3D: https://dune3d.org/ https://dune3d.org/ which has been discussed here a bit: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40228068 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40228068 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37979758 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37979758 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41975958 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41975958

OpenSCAD feels very dated, not only due to the editor and the fonts used, but shortcomings due to language limitations when coming from other software, but it works.

Klaster_1 2y ago
I had much better experience with a VSCode and anOpenSCAD extension compared to the stitch editor. Pair that with the latest master build for extra performance.
wickedsight 2y ago
Also the fact that sometimes things can take ages to render. I did have some fun results getting ChatGPT to create OpenSCAD scripts. It created a fully functional parametric christmas tree for me, which I thought was kinda cool.
- gotts 2y ago
  how big are your assemblies? I had some issues on large assemblies but after Manifold rendering release it became much much faster.
tliltocatl 2y ago
There is also https://github.com/mirmik/zencad https://github.com/mirmik/zencad. Full Python and OpenCASCADE core, so feels less quirky than OpenSCAD.

throw646577 2y ago

Is it? IMO sticking with OpenSCAD is fundamentally limiting your progress with modelling for 3D printing. It's not CAD. Simple parts, yes. Geometry and trigonometry demos? Yes. Actual computer-aided design... no not really.

WillAdams 2y ago
The great thing about OpenSCAD is that it makes representing things which can be described mathematically easy. The awful limitation of OpenSCAD is that one's ability to model in it is limited by one's knowledge of math and trigonometry. The funny thing is, when it comes down to actual manufacture, ultimately, one is making G-code, which is limited to lines and arcs in most implementations --- so I'm approaching it thus by way of Python in OpenSCAD: https://github.com/WillAdams/gcodepreview https://github.com/WillAdams/gcodepreview
Joel_Mckay 2y ago
In some ways, but for off axis parabolic mirrors with internal geometry Openscad seemed to work fine. Additionally, the parametric formats are fundamentally necessary when working in plastics which tend to shift around during additive manufacturing. I like that OpenScad integrates into FreeCad, and can do more than lousy STL outputs. It is far from perfect, but can solve some problems with ease. Most cloud based software strips one of long-term stability in the design folder (can no longer store a version snapshot of the project binary dependencies), and so poses a liability to any firm running large infrastructures. For one-off stuff, one could argue it doesn't matter. But in someways, FreeCad beside the project files will be viewable/exportable forever. Unfortunately, now the Solidworks offline workflow also requires the online license nag screen every 30 days. However, it is not part of Autodesks walled garden built on internet stability (a significant issue in a remote field deployment.) Good luck, =3
- throw646577 2y ago
  Oh I'm a FreeCAD person anyway. OpenSCAD was a useful stepping stone for me, from programming to 3D. But I've been doing my own designs in FreeCAD for two and a half years or so. I just think the typical groundswell of HN support for OpenSCAD is a bit misguided; it sort of relies on near-wilfully ignoring what GUI CAD -- even FreeCAD -- can do for one's designs. Yes, it's good for simple geometry, and some more advanced mathematical geometry. But it boxes you in pretty quickly because you cannot easily compose geometry based on the outputs of previous operations.

chasd00 2y ago

I’ve used openscad and some of my friends swear by it. I eventually just bit the bullet and climbed the fusion360 learning curve. Everything has been smooth sailing once over that hump.

criddell 2y ago

Right now you can get a year of SolidWorks for Makers for $24. If all you've ever used is OpenSCAD or OpenCascade-based software, you are in for a pleasant surprise.

WillAdams 2y ago
I bought the Veterans' license for Solidworks a couple of times --- the UI never really clicked for me (fortunately, it was at least useful for my son to do homework with). The one 3D CAD program which I was successful with, after a fashion is the nascent Dune 3D: https://dune3d.org/ https://dune3d.org/ which has been discussed here a bit: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40228068 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40228068 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37979758 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37979758 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41975958 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41975958