Because of my health condition, 2024 started with time to search new things to explore from my bed. And I discover a life-changer : I can code real-life objects. Wait... What ?!? I repeat : I can code a real-life object. And that's the reason I write this post right now. I want to share this fantastic tool.
OpenSCAD: from code to 3D print
It was at the end of January. When I found OpenSCAD from a Reddit post. I look something on r/3Dprinting and a blind person said "I made a iPhone SE 2022 case" (the full post is here). I saw many lines of code... And that's how I install OpenSCAD on my computers.
OpenSCAD is a Computers-Aided Design tool. But instead to do 3D modeling, you write the code which modeling your 3D. As a developer, it's really easier to code an object than use Blender or FreeCAD to create a 3D model.
This is a new start for me: I can create some tools to help me in my real-life, but with CODE !
The simplicity
The language is really simple to learn. You want a 8mm cube ? it's cube(8);. It's a small example, but instead of learn a real skill (3D modeling), I just learn some function of a easy development language. And I discover there is many ways to learn that!
The OpenSCAD user manual is really easy to use, but if you are a developer, the Language Reference is a better start. You need videos? Youtube has plenty of playlist to learn that (I like the MakeWithTech playlist). You already want a physical object to learn OpenSCAD? No problem, choose in the Books list.
After you learned the basics, OpenSCAD have something great : the STL export. When you need to 3D print a thing, just press F5 (Preview) then F6 (Render) and then F7 (Export). you have now the STL file! Just import it to a 3D slicer (I use Cura or PrusaSlicer), and your object can be print!
The community
OpenSCAD offer another great thing : The community. Instead of having a chat and a forum, the community is everywhere and create everything! For talking with community, they use mailing list and IRC Channel. For those who are old, it brings back some memories, right?
But the new thing is the community create libs, things and tools around OpenSCAD. A simple search on GitHub shows a new world. Someone even create a lib to create Gridfinity library to make easier the bins creation (If you don't know Gridfinity, it's the best storage system in the entire world).
For my disabled people tools, I mainly use the BOSL2 library and the related wiki is AWESOME !
Why I need OpenSCAD
I'm a developer, I have a 3D Printer and I'm disabled. And that's the reason of this post. I needed some tools that I couldn't afford and now, I can create them!
My fingers are twisting and dislocating when I try to get a pill. So I made a Pill Puncher tool for that. Can't open a soda can ? I create... a soda opener tool! Too many tools ? I make a 3-in-1 tool!
And the list is really big. I can create tool for anything and all these tools are cheap! And with my dev skills, it's quite easy for me.
I share some tools on Printables if you want to see or print them.
Conclusion
Some disabled friends ask me to sell my tools for them or their parents/grand-parents (many of my tools can be great for arthritis people). At this time, I don't know what is the best thing to do. Maybe open-source and sell them? just create an e-commerce website to sell? Don't sell? I really don't know but I know these tool improve my life and now, I have autonomy and comfort. and it's not expensive!
As usual, if you like my work, don't forget to follow me and up-vote this post! If you have any question, feel free to use the comments section.
Have a nice day and a good life!
Note : This is an old not-published post. If everything was OK, it should have been released in March. I hope to be back as soon as possible.