OpenSCAD Tutorial

Lesson 2 · Moving, Rotating, and Scaling

Move a shape with translate

A transform modifies the shape (or block of shapes in { }) that follows it. The four transforms are:

  • translate([x, y, z]) moves a shape.
  • rotate([x, y, z]) turns it by degrees around each axis, always around the origin.
  • scale([x, y, z]) stretches it; scale([2, 1, 0.5]) doubles the width and halves the height.
  • mirror([0, 1, 0]) reflects it across the plane whose normal is Y.

Common mistake: putting a semicolon after a transform. translate([20, 0, 0]); ends the statement, so the next cube is not moved at all. If a shape ignores your transform, look for a stray semicolon.

Your task: move the cube so its corner sits at [25, 10, 0].

Lesson 2 in under a minute
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