OpenSCAD Tutorial: How to use this 3D modeling software for your 3D printing projects

This tutorial was created for beginners of OpenSCAD and current users of the software who would like to learn how to prepare their 3D model for 3D printing. In the first chapter, we will go over the basics of the 3D modeling software, followed by an STL file preparation.

After reading the tutorial, you will understand:

  • What is OpenSCAD
  • How to create 3D objects and modify them
  • How to export an STL file for 3D printing

Then, you can upload your model to our online 3D printing service, and we will deliver it to you!

Upload a design

To get started download OpenSCAD. It’s supported by MS Windows, Mac OS X as well as Linux/ UNIX. Once the download is completed, click on the file to open it. The dialog window will give you all the necessary instructions, the installation should be a fairly quick process. After the installation of OpenSCAD is completed, you’re ready to start with our tutorial. 

The tutorial will help you to understand how OpenSCAD operates, you will learn basic shapes construction and useful functions to prepare your file for 3D printing. 

OpenSCAD is a free 3D modeling software for creating CAD models. It definitely focuses more on the CAD aspects of the design than the artistic side of it. OpenSCAD is the perfect software for you if your aim is to 3D design machine parts or other engineering models instead of animated movies. 

OpenSCAD is not an interactive software, instead, it reads the code and translates it into a 3D model. It’s a very useful technique when it comes to mistakes- finding the broken part of the code is much easier than trying to fix the issue with different modifiers like it’s done in other 3D modeling software. OpenSCAD actually points out the mistake in the code with a red dot for you. OpenSCAD mostly operates in the C++ language, so if you’re familiar with Arduino programming, it will definitely help you with OpenSCAD!

Summary​

1. User Interface of OpenSCAD

  • 1.1 Introduction to OpenSCAD’s interface
  • 1.2. Text Editor
  • 1.3. Viewing Area
  • 1.4. The Console

2. Creating a 3D model

  • 2.1. Introduction to OpenSCAD’s language
  • 2.2. Basic code commands: Actions
  • 2.3. Basic code commands: Operators
  • 2.4. Basic code commands: Variables, Comments
  • 2.5. All commands- cheat sheet
  • 2.6. Creating shapes: cube
  • 2.7. Creating shapes: sphere
  • 2.8. Creating shapes: Cylinder and Cone
  • 2.9. Moving the objects
  • 2.10. Modifying the Objects with Operators
  • 2.11. Operators: Union
  • 2.12. Operators: Difference
  • 2.13. Operators: Intersection

3. Saving your STL file and preparation for 3D printing

  • 3.1. Rendering
  • 3.2. Exporting an STL file
  • 3.3. 3D printing
Tutorial Part #1