Programming with OpenSCAD: A Beginner’s Guide to Coding 3D-Printable Objects

Cover
Title Page
Copyright
About the Authors
Acknowledgments
Introduction
    What Is OpenSCAD?
    Who This Book Is For
    Why Learn to Code with OpenSCAD?
    3D Printing and OpenSCAD
    What’s in This Book
    Terminology and Conventions Used in This Book
    A Brief to 3D Design with OpenSCAD
        Understanding 3D Points
        Using the OpenSCAD 3D-View Toolbar
    Final Tips for Getting the Most Out of This Book
Chapter 1: 3D Drawing with OpenSCAD
    Why Use OpenSCAD?
    Getting Started with OpenSCAD
    Drawing Basic 3D Shapes
        Drawing Cuboids with cube
        Drawing Spheres with sphere
        Drawing Cylinders and Cones with cylinder
    Importing 3D Models with import
    Modifying Basic Shapes
        Moving Shapes
        Smoothing Curves with $fn
    Combining 3D Shapes with Boolean Operations
        Subtracting Shapes with difference
        Carving Out Overlapping Shapes with intersection
        Grouping Shapes with union
    Getting Ready for 3D Printing
    Summary
    Design Time: 3D Shapes
    Big Projects: 3D Shapes
Chapter 2: More Ways to Transform Shapes
    OpenSCAD Shape Transformations
        Rotating Shapes with rotate
        Reflecting Shapes with mirror
        Scaling Shapes with resize 
    More Ways to Combine 3D Shapes
        Combining Shapes with hull
        Combining Shapes with minkowski
    Combining Transformations
    Summary
    Design Time: Transforming Shapes
    Big Projects: Transforming Shapes
Chapter 3: 2D Shapes
    Drawing Basic 2D Shapes
        Drawing Circles with circle
        Drawing Rectangles with square
        Drawing Polygons with polygon
        Drawing Words with text
    Applying Transformation and Boolean Operations on 2D Shapes
    Extruding Shapes Vertically with linear_extrude
    Extruding Shapes Along a Circle with rotate_extrude
    Growing and Shrinking a Shape with offset
    Importing 2D Shapes with import
    Summary
    Design Time: 2D Shapes
    Big Projects: 2D Shapes
Chapter 4: Using Loops and Variables
    Leaving Notes with Comments
        Writing Single-Line Comments with //
        Writing Multiline Comments with /* */
    Repeating Code with a for Loop
    Debugging for Loops with echo
    Using Variables and Arithmetic
        Naming Variables
        Applying Mathematical Operations on Variables
        Using Math and Variables Inside for Loops
        Using Arithmetic to Create Unique Patterns
    Using Nested Loops to Draw 2D and 3D Grids
        Generating the Windows in a Skyscraper with Nested Loops
        Triple Nesting to Create a 3D Grid of Shapes
    Summary 
    Design Time: Loops and Variables
    Big Projects: Loops
Chapter 5: Modules
    Simplifying Code with Modules
    Splitting Your Design into Multiple Files
    Adding Parameters to Your Modules
    Building a LEGO Brick
    Sharing and Collaborating
    Summary
    Design Time: Modules
    Big Projects: Modules
Chapter 6: Dynamic Designs with if Statements
    Using if Statements
    Defining Complex Conditions
        Choosing Boolean Operators
        Using Logical Operators to Combine Boolean Expressions
        Following an Expanded Order of Operations
        Making Two-Way Choices with if…else Statements
        Using Extended if Statements
        Using Nested if Statements
    Useful Applications of if Statements
        Setting Up a Design Mode and Print Mode
        Using Random Numbers as a Design Element
    Summary
    Design Time: if Statements 
    Big Projects: Decisions
Chapter 7: Designing Big Projects
    The Design Cycle
    Leaning Tower of Pisa Model
        Step 1: Investigate—Define Multiple Views 
        Step 2: Plan—Apply Computational Thinking 
        Step 3: Create—Use a Walking Skeleton Approach 
        Step 4: Evaluate—Decide Which Design Process Steps to Repeat
    Walking Skeleton: Building the Leaning Tower of Pisa
        Iteration 1: Connecting the Tower’s Basic Building Blocks
        Iteration 2: Finding Repetition in the Middle Section 
        Iteration 3: Adding More Details to the Middle Section
        Iteration 4: Adding Details to the Top Section 
        Iteration 5: Adding Details to the Bottom Section
        Final Evaluation of the Design Cycle
    Design Organization Overview
    Summary
Afterword
    Learn More About OpenSCAD
    The Open Source Ethos
        Motivation and Ecosystem
        Online Citizenship
    OpenSCAD and the Maker Movement
        Making and Creative Problem-Solving 
        2D Fabrication
        Physical Computing
        Makerspaces
    Final Ideas for More Practice
        Customizable Measuring Spoons
        Customizable Vacuum Tool
        Customizable Flowerpots
        Drawer Box
        Lab Clamps
        Chess Set
        Pegboard Wizard
Appendix A: OpenSCAD Language Reference
    Syntax
    Operators
    2D Shapes
    3D Shapes
    Boolean Operations
    Shape Transformations
    Loops, Decisions, and List Comprehensions
    Other Shape Operations
    Modifier Characters
    Special Variables
    Mathematical Functions
    Other Functions
Appendix B: OpenSCAD Visual Reference
    3D Primitives
    2D Shapes
    Combining Shapes
    Transformations
    Loops
Index