OpenSCAD Tutorial for Beginners
OpenSCAD Tutorial
Learn OpenSCAD in six short lessons, from your first cube to a parametric part ready for 3D printing.
OpenSCAD is free, code-based CAD: you describe a solid with a short script, and changing a number regenerates the part. That makes it ideal for parametric parts for 3D printing and laser cutting.
This interactive tutorial has 16 small exercises across six lessons: shapes, transforms, booleans, variables and modules, loops, and printable models. Each step explains one idea, then you edit real OpenSCAD code, render it in 3D right in your browser, and check it against the goal model. Nothing to install.
OpenSCAD has no units. These lessons treat one unit as one millimeter, the convention slicers use for STL files.
What you'll practice (16 steps)
- Size a cube
- Place a cylinder
- Smooth curves with $fn
- Move a shape with translate
- Turn a shape with rotate
- Transform order matters
- Subtract with difference
- Keep the overlap with intersection
- Cut a clean through-hole
- Name dimensions with variables
- Reuse a part with a module
- Repeat shapes with a for loop
- Make a grid with two loop variables
- Cut a bolt-hole circle
- Customizer parameters
- Make a valid, printable solid
Lessons
- Your First Shapes
A cube, a sphere, and a cylinder side by side, then a low-poly sphere next to a smooth one.
- Moving, Rotating, and Scaling
The same cube rotated then moved versus moved then rotated, landing in two different places.
- Combining Shapes
Union, difference, and intersection of one cube and one sphere, plus a clean through-hole.
- Variables and Modules
One reusable spacer module stamped out in three sizes.
- Loops and Patterns
A row of growing pillars, then a flange with an evenly spaced bolt-hole circle.
- From Model to 3D Print
A mounting plate whose size and holes change from Customizer sliders, ready to export as STL.
After the tutorial
- Practice with the guided OpenSCAD examples, from a mounting plate to an enclosure with a lid.
- Solve specific tasks with the how-to guides: cut holes, round corners, and make smoother cylinders.
- Keep the OpenSCAD cheatsheet open while you work.