3 ms·

Interesting. I have played with OpenScad a bit. This looks similar - i guess the difference is the syntax is python - any other major differences

DrNefario 6mo ago
CadQuery can export STEP files, and is overall much nicer to use in my opinion.
- xrd 6mo ago
  I've been using Gemini to generate openscad programs for use with my 3d printer. Is cadquery a better option I wonder? Why do you say it is better than openscad?
  - xrd 6mo ago
    After reading some of the docs it does look fun. Python, so leverage your Python skills and existing libraries. A nice GUI so you can build, view, tweak, review, iterate. Will be a nice new toy...
- RobotToaster 6mo ago
  Openscad can export to CSG, which can be imported by free cad or converted to STEP https://github.com/gega/csg2stp https://github.com/gega/csg2stp
  - WillAdams 6mo ago
    Whether or no that will be useful/editable will be determined by what sort of objects and modeling approaches were used --- it's pretty easy to make a file which results in a nightmarish triangle mesh representation which is a nightmare to edit.
gcr 6mo ago
OpenSCAD is all triangles and vertices. Fillets are difficult to do. Outputting circles/spheres generally requires you to for-loop over vertices a lot. Libraries like build123d and cadquery use OpenCASCADE, a boundary representation kernel. You think in terms of the enclosed solid and perform operations - boolean add/subtract, fillet/chamfer, stamp text, etc - that return a new solid.
- 7bees 6mo ago
  I'm not sure I understand your comment; OpenSCAD has functions like sphere(), cylinder(), etc. Most OpenSCAD models I have seen are built up primarily from solid primitives combined using boolean operations, just as you describe for the other tools. https://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?title=OpenSCAD_User_Manual/Primitive_Solids&stable=1 https://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?title=OpenSCAD_User_Man...
  - seltzered_ 6mo ago
    Theres a better description of the differences here: https://build123d.readthedocs.io/en/latest/OpenSCAD.html#transitioning-from-openscad https://build123d.readthedocs.io/en/latest/OpenSCAD.html#tra... Some of the differences may be in when you are trying to reference a face/edge to build off of, not just about the primitive function being used.
  - Doxin 6mo ago
    OpenSCAD works natively with triangle meshes. sphere() will create a spherical triangle mesh. These libraries on the other hand can natively represent a sphere for instance. This means that during CAD-ing you don't need to worry about resolution, that's a consideration for export only.
    - flowerbreeze 6mo ago
      Do you mean that OpenScad performs boolean/other operations on triangle meshes, but these libraries don't until output? So they might instead use curved surfaces/edges etc as outputs for operations and only convert to triangles for output or export at the very end?
bvrmn 6mo ago
Oh boy. The major difference is coordinate transformations, global/local/face. OpenScad basically leaves you alone with math you should figure out on your own. Also it's math heavy for all other stuff, for example tangents, smooth connections, intersection coordinates, etc.

DrNefario 6mo ago

CadQuery can export STEP files, and is overall much nicer to use in my opinion.

xrd 6mo ago
I've been using Gemini to generate openscad programs for use with my 3d printer. Is cadquery a better option I wonder? Why do you say it is better than openscad?
- xrd 6mo ago
  After reading some of the docs it does look fun. Python, so leverage your Python skills and existing libraries. A nice GUI so you can build, view, tweak, review, iterate. Will be a nice new toy...
RobotToaster 6mo ago
Openscad can export to CSG, which can be imported by free cad or converted to STEP https://github.com/gega/csg2stp https://github.com/gega/csg2stp
- WillAdams 6mo ago
  Whether or no that will be useful/editable will be determined by what sort of objects and modeling approaches were used --- it's pretty easy to make a file which results in a nightmarish triangle mesh representation which is a nightmare to edit.

gcr 6mo ago

OpenSCAD is all triangles and vertices. Fillets are difficult to do. Outputting circles/spheres generally requires you to for-loop over vertices a lot. Libraries like build123d and cadquery use OpenCASCADE, a boundary representation kernel. You think in terms of the enclosed solid and perform operations - boolean add/subtract, fillet/chamfer, stamp text, etc - that return a new solid.

7bees 6mo ago
I'm not sure I understand your comment; OpenSCAD has functions like sphere(), cylinder(), etc. Most OpenSCAD models I have seen are built up primarily from solid primitives combined using boolean operations, just as you describe for the other tools. https://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?title=OpenSCAD_User_Manual/Primitive_Solids&stable=1 https://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?title=OpenSCAD_User_Man...
- seltzered_ 6mo ago
  Theres a better description of the differences here: https://build123d.readthedocs.io/en/latest/OpenSCAD.html#transitioning-from-openscad https://build123d.readthedocs.io/en/latest/OpenSCAD.html#tra... Some of the differences may be in when you are trying to reference a face/edge to build off of, not just about the primitive function being used.
- Doxin 6mo ago
  OpenSCAD works natively with triangle meshes. sphere() will create a spherical triangle mesh. These libraries on the other hand can natively represent a sphere for instance. This means that during CAD-ing you don't need to worry about resolution, that's a consideration for export only.
  - flowerbreeze 6mo ago
    Do you mean that OpenScad performs boolean/other operations on triangle meshes, but these libraries don't until output? So they might instead use curved surfaces/edges etc as outputs for operations and only convert to triangles for output or export at the very end?

bvrmn 6mo ago

Oh boy. The major difference is coordinate transformations, global/local/face. OpenScad basically leaves you alone with math you should figure out on your own. Also it's math heavy for all other stuff, for example tangents, smooth connections, intersection coordinates, etc.