Programming with OpenSCAD is a STEM-focused, learn-to-code book for beginners that introduces core computational thinking concepts through the design of 3D-printable objects. Develop coding skills as you build increasingly complex 3D models and print them into fun games, puzzles, and more. OpenSCAD is freely available open source software that enables nondesigners to easily create 3D designs using a text-based programming language. It’s a great language for beginners because the instant 3D visualization gives you immediate feedback on the results of your code. This book channels OpenSCAD’s visual benefits and user-friendliness into a STEAM-focused, project-based tutorial that teaches the basics of coding, 3D printing, and computational thinking while you develop your spatial reasoning by creating 3D designs with OpenSCAD. Presuming no prior experience with either programming or 3D design, each chapter builds a scaffolded understanding of core concepts. You’ll start by defining, drawing and displaying geometric primitives with text-based code, then expand your creative toolbox with transformation operations – like rotating, reflecting, scaling, and combining shapes. As the projects become more sophisticated, so will your programming skills; you’ll use loops for replicating objects, if statements for differentiating your designs, and parameterized, self-contained modules to divide longer scripts into separate files. Along the way, you'll learn 3D printing tips so that you can produce physical mementos of your progress and get physical feedback that lets you correct mistakes in real time. In addition, the book provides hands-on and accessible design exercises at the end of each chapter so that you can practice applying new concepts immediately after they are introduced. You’ll learn: Programming basics like working with variables, loops, conditional statements, and parameterized modules Transformation operations, such as rotate, reflect, and scale, to create complex shapes Extrusion techniques for turning 2D shapes into elaborate 3D designs Computational-thinking concepts, including decomposition, abstraction, and pattern recognition OpenSCAD’s Boolean, Minkowski and hull operations for combining multiple 3D shapes into one 3D design fundamentals, like navigating the xyz-axis, orthogonal vs. perspective views, and constructive solid geometry Organizing bigger designs into separate files to make code more readable and collaborative Accessibly written for a wide audience (advanced middle schoolers, high school students, college students, artists, makers and lifelong-learners alike), this is the perfect guide to becoming proficient at programming in general and 3D modeling in particular.

Python is quickly becoming the world's most popular programming language, for everything from quick-and-easy hobbyist calculations to running some of the biggest online websites such as Google, YouTube, Dropbox, Reddit, and many others. OpenSCAD is a powerful 3D modeling language for, among other things, creating 3D printed plastic parts for hobbyists and engineers. This book enables the reader to leverage the power, versatility, and simplicity of Python to enhance and super-charge the already powerful capabilities of OpenSCAD for Makers, Engineers, and anyone who wants to create 3D shapes for 3D printing or manufacturing. Both Python and OpenSCAD are free software tools that run on Windows, Macs, and Linux machines. The symbiotic use of these two tools enables a much shorter learning curve than when using the expensive software packages, and it puts you in control of your designs instead of your designs controlling you! The complete source code Python listing for driving OpenSCAD using easier-to-remember and easier-to-use commands is included in this book, along with creative examples of the use of all new commands. You'll also see how easy it is to integrate these two tools such that you'll see results instantly on your screen when your Python code runs. Table of Contents of Python for OpenSCAD Introduction About PythonAbout OpenSCADOpenSCAD LimitationsPython to the RescueHow Python was added to OpenSCADHow to Get StartedWhere to Get PythonWhere to Get OpenSCADHow to Learn from this Book 1 - Spheres 2 - Color 3 - Boxes 4 - Cylinders 5 - Tubes 6 - Cones 7 - Triangles 8 - Animation 9 - Polygons 10 - Polyhedrons 11 - Regular polygons 12 - Text 13 - Translate and Rotate 14 - Scale 15 - Resize 16 - Rotate extrude 17 - Spiral 18 - Hull 19 - Minkowski 20 - Mirror 21 - Projection 22 - Slice 23 - Offsets 24 - Difference, Union, & Intersection 25 - Assemblies 26 - Gears 27 - Mason bees 28 - Surface 29 - Platonic solids Appendix A. openscad.py

OpenSCAD is a free open source software for the creation of three-dimensional geometries. In contrast to common CAD systems such as Fusion 360 or SolidWorks, geometries in OpenSCAD are defined by a purely textual description. This means that all elements of a geometry are inherently parameterized and can be easily adapted. This high flexibility makes OpenSCAD particularly suitable for the design of technical systems and and their components, for example in the context of 3D printing. The book Mastering OpenSCAD introduces you to all important concepts and functionalities of OpenSCAD. The book guides you through 10 selected projects step by step, each project focusing on a limited set of functions and concepts. After these 10 projects, you will know all practically relevant features of OpenSCAD. For the sake of completeness, a final chapter briefly presents the functions that were not addressed in any of the projects.

The future belongs to 3D printing. But printers can only create what you can imagine. Al Williams takes you step-by-step through the process of developing a 3D model used to drive a 3D printer to make your design dreams a reality.

Create 3D printable models that can help students from kindergarten through grad school learn math, physics, botany, chemistry, engineering and more. This book shows parents and teachers how to use the models inside as starting points for 3D printable explorations. Students can start with these models and vary them for their own explorations. Unlike other sets of models that can just be scaled, these models have the science built-in to allow for more insight into the fundamental concepts. Each of the eight topics is designed to be customized by you to create a wide range of projects suitable for science fairs, extra credit, or classroom demonstrations. Science fair project suggestions and extensive "where to learn more" resources are included, too. You will add another dimension to your textbook understanding of science. What You'll Learn Create (and present the science behind) 3D printed models. Use a 3D printer to create those models as simply as possible. Discover new science insights from designing 3D models. Who This Book Is For Parents and teachers