How to use the command "openscad" (with examples)

Openscad is a software for creating solid 3D CAD objects. It is a command-line tool that allows users to manipulate and render 3D models. This article will illustrate several use cases of the “openscad” command and provide examples for each use case.

Use case 1: Open a file

Code:

openscad path/to/button.scad

Motivation:

The motivation for using this example is to open an existing .scad file using the “openscad” command. This is useful when you want to view, modify, or render an existing 3D model.

Explanation:

• openscad is the command used to execute the Openscad software.
• path/to/button.scad is the path to the .scad file you want to open. Replace 'path/to/button.scad' with the actual file path of the .scad file you want to open.

Example output:

Running the above command will open the “button.scad” file in Openscad, allowing you to view and manipulate the 3D model within the software.

Use case 2: Convert a file to STL

Code:

openscad -o path/to/button.stl path/to/button.scad

Motivation:

The motivation for using this example is to convert a .scad file to the STL format, which is a commonly used file format for 3D printing. This allows you to prepare your 3D model for 3D printing by converting it to a format compatible with most 3D printers.

Explanation:

• openscad is the command used to execute the Openscad software.
• -o path/to/button.stl is the output file flag, followed by the path to the desired output file location. Replace 'path/to/button.stl' with the actual desired file path and file name for the STL file.
• path/to/button.scad is the path to the .scad file you want to convert to STL. Replace 'path/to/button.scad' with the actual file path of the .scad file you want to convert.

Example output:

Running the above command will convert the “button.scad” file to the “button.stl” file, which can now be used for 3D printing.

Use case 3: Render a file to PNG in a specific colorscheme

Code:

openscad -o path/to/button.png --colorscheme Sunset path/to/button.scad

Motivation:

The motivation for using this example is to render a .scad file as a PNG image file with a specific colorscheme. This allows you to create high-quality rendered images of your 3D models for visualization or documentation purposes.

Explanation:

• openscad is the command used to execute the Openscad software.
• -o path/to/button.png is the output file flag, followed by the path to the desired output file location. Replace 'path/to/button.png' with the actual desired file path and file name for the PNG image file.
• --colorscheme Sunset is the flag to specify the desired colorscheme for rendering. Replace 'Sunset' with the name of the desired colorscheme. Openscad provides various built-in colorschemes such as ‘Sunset’, ‘Starnight’, ‘Greyscale’, etc.
• path/to/button.scad is the path to the .scad file you want to render. Replace 'path/to/button.scad' with the actual file path of the .scad file you want to render.

Example output:

Running the above command will render the “button.scad” file as a PNG image file using the specified colorscheme ‘Sunset’ and save it as “button.png”.

Conclusion:

The “openscad” command provides several useful functionalities for working with 3D CAD objects. It allows users to open, convert, and render 3D models. The examples provided in this article demonstrate how to open a file, convert a file to the STL format, and render a file to a PNG image with a specific colorscheme. With Openscad, users can easily manipulate and visualize 3D models for various purposes, including 3D printing, prototyping, and design.