BOSL

The Belfry OpenScad Library - A library of tools, shapes, and helpers to make OpenScad easier to use.

This library is a set of useful tools, shapes and manipulators that I developed while working on various projects, including large ones like the Snappy-Reprap printed 3D printer.

Overview

The library files are as follows:

• transforms.scad: The most commonly used transformations, manipulations, and shortcuts are in this file.
• shapes.scad: Common useful shapes and structured objects.
• masks.scad: Shapes that are useful for masking with difference() and intersect().
• paths.scad: Functions and modules to work with arbitrary 3D paths.
• bezier.scad: Functions and modules to work with bezier curves.
• involute_gears.scad: Modules and functions to make involute gears and racks.
• metric_screws.scad: Functions and modules to make holes for metric screws and nuts.
• joiners.scad: Modules to make joiner shapes for connecting separately printed objects.
• sliders.scad: Modules for creating simple sliders and rails.
• acme_screws.scad: Modules to make trapezoidal (ACME) threaded rods and nuts.
• nema_steppers.scad: Modules to make mounting holes for NEMA motors.
• linear_bearings.scad: Modules to make mounts for LMxUU style linear bearings.
• wiring.scad: Modules to render routed bundles of wires.
• math.scad: Useful helper functions and constants.
• quaternions.scad: Functions to work with quaternion rotations.

transforms.scad

The most commonly useful of the library files is transforms.scad. It provides features such as:

• up(), down(), left(), right(), fwd(), back() as more readable alternatives to translate().
• xrot(), yrot(), zrot() as single-axis alternatives to rotate.
• xspread(), yspread(), and zspread() to evenly space copies of an item along an axis.
• xring(), yring(), zring() to evenly space copies of an item around a circle.
• skewxy() that let you skew objects without using a multmatrix().
• Easy mirroring with xflip(), xflip_copy(), etc.
• Slice items in half with top_half(), left_half(), back_half(), etc.

shapes.scad

The shapes.scad library file provides useful compound shapes, such as:

• upcube() a ridiculously useful version of cube() that is centered on top of the XY plane.
• Filleted (rounded) and Chamferred (bevelled) cubes and cylinders.
• pyramid(), prism(), and trapezoid()
• right_triangle()
• teardrop() and onion() for making more 3D printable holes.
• tube() and torus() for donut shapes.
• slot() and arced_slot() for making things like screw slots.
• thinning_wall() makes a vertical wall which thins in the middle, to reduce print volume.
• thinning_triangle() makes a right triangle which thins in the middle, to reduce print volume.
• sparse_strut() makes a cross-braced open strut wall, optimized for support-less 3D printing.
• corrugated_wall() makes a corrugated wall to reduce print volume while keeping strength.

masks.scad

The masks.scad library file provides mask shapes like:

• angle_pie_mask() to mask a pie-slice shape.
• chamfer_mask_x(), chamfer_mask_y(), and chamfer_mask_z() to chamfer (bevel) an axis aligned 90 degree edge.
• fillet_mask_x(), fillet_mask_y(), and fillet_mask_z() to fillet (round) an axis aligned 90 degree edge.
• fillet_corner_mask() to fillet a 90 degree corner.
• fillet_angled_edge_mask() to fillet an acute or obtuse vertical edge.
• fillet_angled_corner_mask() to fillet the corner of two acute or obtuse planes.
• fillet_cylinder_mask() to fillet the end of a cylinder.
• fillet_hole_mask() to fillet the edge of a cylindrical hole.