23 lines
1.3 KiB
Text
23 lines
1.3 KiB
Text
OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is free software
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and available for Linux/UNIX, MS Windows and Mac OS X.
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Unlike most free software for creating 3D models (such as the famous
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application Blender) it does not focus on the artistic aspects of 3D modelling
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but instead on the CAD aspects. Thus it might be the application you are
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looking for when you are planning to create 3D models of machine parts but
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pretty sure is not what you are looking for when you are more interested in
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creating computer-animated movies.
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OpenSCAD is not an interactive modeller. Instead it is something like a
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3D-compiler that reads in a script file that describes the object and renders
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the 3D model from this script file (see examples below). This gives you (the
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designer) full control over the modelling process and enables you to easily
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change any step in the modelling process or make designes that are defined by
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configurable parameters.
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OpenSCAD provides two main modelling techniques: First there is constructive
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solid geometry (aka CSG) and second there is extrusion of 2D outlines. As data
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exchange format format for this 2D outlines Autocad DXF files are used. In
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addition to 2D paths for extrusion it is also possible to read design
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parametes from DXF files. Besides DXF files OpenSCAD can read and create 3D
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models in the STL and OFF file formats.
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