Introduction to 3D Modeling with OpenSCAD

Break down a pen stand into three components—a cylindrical base, 18 curved pillows, and 18 opposing pillars—and assemble them in OpenSCAD to model basic 3-D shapes.

Build 3d shapes in OpenSCAD by forming a cylindrical base and a tall pillar, then translate, rotate, and copy to assemble a bandstand, adjusting radius and height with parameter variables.

Move the pillar to the edge of the base with translate and generate 18 pillars at 20-degree intervals by rotating a copy in a for loop, height 90 millimeters.

Create a dumbbell in OpenSCAD by modeling two spheres as ends and a cylindrical handle, translating each sphere by half the length, rotating the handle 90 degrees, and assembling.

Learn to create curved pillows in OpenSCAD by extruding a 2D circle (radius or diameter) to 19 mm height with linear extrude and apply a twist about the z axis.

Apply loops to generate equally spaced twisted pillars for a pen stand, adjusting twist from 80 to 100 degrees to create a curved pattern, and use modules for reusable designs.

Explore building customizable OpenSCAD modules to design a bandstand. Change the radius, pillar height, and twist to create varied dimensions and patterns, then prototype with a 3D printer.

Learn to design and 3D print a pen stand using OpenSCAD for precise, parametric 3D modeling and desktop fabrication.

Learn to model a decorative coaster in OpenSCAD, building an outer ring with overlapping rings using the difference operation and a slightly taller cylinder to ensure clean prints.

Build a decorative coaster in OpenSCAD using ring modules with radius 40 mm, height 3 mm, outer thickness 2.5 mm, inner thickness 1.2 mm, repeated 17 times at 20-degree steps.

design a coaster for 3D printing using OpenSCAD, introducing basic 3D modeling concepts and steps to prepare a printable coaster.

Build a bangle in OpenSCAD by rotating 18 rings around the z axis. Tilt the assembly about the x axis and use a for loop with 20 degree spacing.

Explore 3d modeling with OpenSCAD by building a personalized key ring tag from two cylinders, a subtractive hole, a connecting cube, and embossed text.

Model a key ring tag in OpenSCAD by joining translated cylinders with a rectangular connector, subtracting space for the ring, embossing text via extrusion and coloring blue.

Export your 3D designs to the sdl format and fix errors with netfabb to prepare for printing, then explore outsourcing to Shapeways or Amazon's 3D printing service.

We thank you for viewing the introduction to 3D modeling with OpenSCAD and invite your feedback to help improve future sessions.