SCAD Crash Course 101

Get started with SCAD, a programming language to generate 3D STL models from code
You can do it!Programming can seem very complicated at first glance. But it is not! Take your time and don't worry if you don't understand everything straight away. Rome wasn't built in a day either! By the way: We recommend to install OpenSCAD on your computer if you want to create your own SCAD scripts.
Basic Shapes
Click through the examples. Read the code carefully and try to understand what is happening.
  • STL Model of a simple cube created with OpenSCAD
  • STL Model of a simple cylinder created with OpenSCAD
  • STL Model of a simple sphere created with OpenSCAD
  • STL Model of a cube and a cylinder combined created with OpenSCAD
  • STL Model of a cube and a sphere combined created with OpenSCAD
Variables
The same examples with variables. Variables are simply words to which a value is assigned. Click on Customize to change the values.
  • STL Model of a simple cube with variables created with OpenSCAD
  • STL Model of a simple cylinder with variables created with OpenSCAD
  • STL Model of a simple sphere with variables created with OpenSCAD
  • STL Model of a cube and a cylinder combined with variables created with OpenSCAD
  • STL Model of a cube and a sphere combined with variables created with OpenSCAD
Operations
You can use operations to create new shapes from various other shapes.
  • STL Model of united shapes created with OpenSCAD
  • STL Model of intersected shapes created with OpenSCAD
  • STL Model of subtracted shapes created with OpenSCAD
  • STL Model of ordered subtracted shapes created with OpenSCAD
  • STL Model of multiple subtracted created with OpenSCAD
Translations
Translations are used to move shapes.
  • STL Model of translated shape along the x-axis created with OpenSCAD
  • STL Model of translated shape along the y-axis created with OpenSCAD
  • STL Model of translated shape along the z-axis created with OpenSCAD
  • STL Model of multiple translated shapes created with OpenSCAD
  • STL Model of nested translations created with OpenSCAD
Rotations
Rotations are used to rotate shapes.
  • STL Model of rotated shape around the x-axis created with OpenSCAD
  • STL Model of rotated shape around the y-axis created with OpenSCAD
  • STL Model of rotated shape around the z-axis created with OpenSCAD
  • STL Model of multiple rotated shapes created with OpenSCAD
  • STL Model of nested rotations created with OpenSCAD
Custom Bricks
With the above knowledge you can create custom LEGO® compatible bricks like these.
  • STL Model of a simple tree on a LEGO® compatible plate
  • STL Model of a sign on a LEGO® compatible plate
Congratulations!If you have understood the examples above, you already have a good understanding of how SCAD works. You probably also have an idea of how we created the MachineBlocks LEGO® compatible STL generator.
Further Links
LEGO, LEGO Technic, the LEGO logo and the Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group. MachineBlocks is not affiliated with or sponsored by the LEGO Group.