Rui CarmoOpenSCAD is a solid 3D modeling program that generates 3D shapes from a simple scene description language and can directly output STL files for 3D printing. It is extraordinarily precise, quite flexible and free, but can have a somewhat frustrating learning curve.
Resources
| Category | Date | Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alternatives | 2025 | MicroCAD | a Rust-based CAD system |
| CascadeStudio | a web GUI for OpenCascade |
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| 2024 | PythonSCAD | a fork that allows using Python for 3D modeling |
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| 2023 | ImplicitCAD | a Haskell-based alternative |
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| DSLCAD | a Rust-based alternative with chamfer and fillet support |
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| sdf | Generate 3D meshes based on SDFs |
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| ZenCAD | a Python-based alternative using OpenCascade |
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| PySdfScad | Interpreter using signed-distance-functions |
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| 2022 | CadQuery | a Python library for building parametric 3D CAD models using OpenCascade |
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| Books | 2021 | Mastering OpenSCAD | a comprehensive online tutorial |
| GUI | 2024 | openscad-web-gui | a web-based editor that renders and imports OpenSCAD scripts from various sources |
| 2022 | CQ-Editor | a Qt GUI for CadQuery |
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| Libraries | 2025 | Round Anything | a library that provides several helpers to round edges |
| 2024 | gridfinity_extended_openscad | anoter extended Gridfinity library |
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| 2023 | BOSL2 | a very comprehensive library that also allows to add chamfers/bevels and rounded edges to OpenSCAD models |
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| openscad-fillets | a ser of modules to apply fillets to objects in a few situations |
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| prism-chamfer | a library for adding chamfers/bevels to OpenSCAD models |
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| 2022 | dotSCAD | A comprehensive library of transformation functions |
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| openscad-rpi-library | a library of Raspberry Pi related objects |
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| OpenSCAD-Dovetails | a library for dovetail joints |
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| gridfinity-rebuilt-openscad | Another version of Gridfinity that is capable of creating “lite” bins |
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| NopSCADlib | an incredible library of various electronic and mechanical parts |
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| gridfinity_openscad | an implementation of the Gridfinity storage system in OpenSCAD, that I’ve used with great success. |
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| Tools | 2024 | turbocase | generate an OpenSCAD case template from a KiCAD PCB |
| 2023 | ghostscad | a Go library that generates OpenSCAD code |
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| 2022 | SBC Case Builder | A case builder wizard for single board computers like the Raspberry Pi |
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| SBC Model Framework | The core library of SBC Case Builder |
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| 2021 | GraphSCAD | a Windows/Ubuntu nodal editor for OpenSCAD |
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| SolidPython | a Python frontend for solid modeling that compiles to OpenSCAD |
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| 2020 | hob3l | a tool that takes OpenSCAD files and performs faster slicing |
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| Wrappers | 2024 | openscad-playground | a very capable web UI that wraps the WASM build. Moderately usable on an iPad. |
| 2023 | openscad-graph-editor | A node-based graphical UI to create OpenSCAD models |
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| 2022 | jupyter-cadquery | a jupyter extension to view CadQuery output in the browser |