OpenSCAD
Encyclopedia
OpenSCAD is a free software
application for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is not an interactive modeler, but rather a 3D-compiler. OpenSCAD reads from a script and renders a 3D model from it. OpenSCAD is available for Windows
, Linux
and Mac OS X
. It does constructive solid geometry
(CSG). OpenSCAD can also extrude forms from AutoCAD DXF
files.
As of 2011, it uses CGAL
as the basic Computational Solid Geometry engine, taking care of details such as intersection, difference and minkowski sums. The results are rendered into 3D STL
files.
It uses OpenCSG and OpenGL
for fast previewing of models: rendering with CGAL (as with other CSG geometry engines) can sometimes take several minutes or hours.
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
application for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is not an interactive modeler, but rather a 3D-compiler. OpenSCAD reads from a script and renders a 3D model from it. OpenSCAD is available for Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
and Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
. It does constructive solid geometry
Constructive solid geometry
Constructive solid geometry is a technique used in solid modeling. Constructive solid geometry allows a modeler to create a complex surface or object by using Boolean operators to combine objects...
(CSG). OpenSCAD can also extrude forms from AutoCAD DXF
AutoCAD DXF
AutoCAD DXF is a CAD data file format developed by Autodesk for enabling data interoperability between AutoCAD and other programs....
files.
As of 2011, it uses CGAL
CGAL
The Computational Geometry Algorithms Library is a software library that aims to provide easy access to efficient and reliable algorithms in computational geometry. While primarily written in C++, Python and Scilab bindings are also available....
as the basic Computational Solid Geometry engine, taking care of details such as intersection, difference and minkowski sums. The results are rendered into 3D STL
STL (file format)
STL is a file format native to the stereolithography CAD software created by 3D Systems. This file format is supported by many other software packages; it is widely used for rapid prototyping and computer-aided manufacturing. STL files describe only the surface geometry of a three dimensional...
files.
It uses OpenCSG and OpenGL
OpenGL
OpenGL is a standard specification defining a cross-language, cross-platform API for writing applications that produce 2D and 3D computer graphics. The interface consists of over 250 different function calls which can be used to draw complex three-dimensional scenes from simple primitives. OpenGL...
for fast previewing of models: rendering with CGAL (as with other CSG geometry engines) can sometimes take several minutes or hours.