Custom Multicolor Dice with OpenSCAD

prusaprinters

This OpenSCAD script generates unique, functional dice. It uses OpenSCAD's built-in customizer, so it requires no coding - just choose your options, render it, and export it!I was inspired to create this script after checking out Lockwatcher's Shaky Dice. Inserting an already printed core into an outer shell while it's printing is just brilliant. I had some trouble with tolerances, so I created this script to allow me to experiment. Since then, I added several custom options to create unique designs.The file generates two STLs: a core and a shell. The dice are assembled by pausing the shell and inserting the core. Then, the shell print is resumed, and the core is fully encapsulated by the shell!PrerequisitesOpenSCAD is a free program that generates models from code. Certain values in the code can be linked to OpenSCAD's built-in Customizer, allowing for quick and easy modifications of your model! OpenSCAD can be obtained from here: https://openscad.org/BOSL (or the Belfry OpenSCAD Library) adds a ton of functionality to OpenSCAD. Not only does it includes nuts, bolts, gears, and connectors, but it also includes a few functions to make your model more presentable. The dice use the chamfer and fillet masks to really make them look great! Installation is slightly trickier than OpenSCAD, so be sure to carefully follow the instructions here: https://github.com/revarbat/BOSL#installationUsing OpenSCADOpen the TwoPartDice.scad file in OpenSCAD.Make sure the customizer is displayed (uncheck Window > Hide Customizer). You can optionally check the other three options to clean up the interface.The die should be shown in the center of the screen. If it's blue, it's a preview. If it's green, then it's a render. Please note that chamfers and fillets are not displayed on a preview.The right side of the screen has three sections for customization: Dice Parameters, Pip Parameters, and Generator Parameters. These sections can be expanded to see all available options. The options are explained below.If “Automatic Preview” is enabled, each change will cause the preview to update. If not, you can press F5 to generate an updated preview.If the preview looks good, you'll need to generate a render before exporting. Press F6 to create the render. Depending on the geometry of the model, it may take a moment to generate (on my 2017 laptop, it takes about than 15 seconds).Once the render is generated, press F7 to export the STL file.Be sure to export both a shell and core using the “Generate” dropdown under Generator Parameters!Customization OptionsDice ParametersDice Size is the height, width, and depth of the die.Wall Thickness is the thickness of the shell. Ideally, it should be a multiple of your nozzle diameter.Dice Edges is a dropdown to select how to the dice edges are finished. Chamfer “cuts” the edges off, while Fillet will “round” the edges. Sharp applies no finish to the edges. Please note that chamfers and fillets are not displayed on the preview! They'll appear in the render (F6).Dice Edge Size sets the width of the chamfer or fillet. It's limited to the Wall Thickness.Pip ParametersPip Size is the size of the pips on the sides of the die. It's limited by a number of other values, so setting this value too high will not have an impact.Pip Shape is the shape of each pip. Circle looks very traditional, but can be difficult to print at larger sizes. Diamond is very easy to print, and looks great! Square looks very modern, but will require significant bridging.Pip Gap is the spacing between the edges of adjacent pips. This should be set a multiple of your nozzle diameter and layer height. Set this to a safe value, and then manipulate the Pip Size parameter.Wall Border is the gap between the edge of the pip and an adjacent inner wall. This values minimum is the same as the Core Chamfer Size to ensure the core's chamfer isn't visible.Core Depth allows you to impress the pips into the core. This looks great with silk filaments, and with matte filaments, it makes the pips look incredibly deep. Setting this to 0 will make the core a simple cube.Generator ParametersXY Tolerance is the horizontal spacing between the shell and the core. A well-tuned printer should be fine with 0.1mm. If you need to exceed half of your nozzle's diameter, you should recalibrate your flow rate.Z Tolerance is the gap between the tops and bottoms of the shell and the core. If your printer is not over-extruding, then this should be 0. If your nozzle is colliding with core, then increasing this value may be necessary.Core Chamfer allows to add a small chamfer to the core block. This helps with elephant's foot and makes the core easier to insert into the shell.Core Chamfer Size is the size of the core's edge chamfers. This value also becomes the minimum Wall Border.$fs is the minimum line segment length. Half of your nozzle's diameter is sufficient. Decreasing this value will increase rendering time.$fa is number of degrees per curved segment. 2 will divide a circle into 180 small line segments. PROTIP: Set this to 60 to change the circle into hexagons!Generate is a dropdown that tells the script to generate either a core or a shell.Printing and AssemblyUsing the Customizer, generate and export a core and a shellPrint the core using your default slicer settings. PROTIP: Increase the infill to make the dice feel more substantial.For the shell, add a filament change just before the shell's top is printed. PROTIP: Use PrusaSlicer's GCode Viewer to verify the change is in the correct place!When the printer pauses, carefully insert the core into the shell. Do not move the shell!Resume the print, and in a few minutes, you'll have a custom, dual color die!NotesBe sure to save your favorite set of customization values using OpenSCAD's “Save Preset” button!Mix and match pip shapes and sizes on the shell and the core. Don't make your core's pips bigger than the shell's pips!If you're careful with your math, you can place a shell into another shell, creating a three color die!If proper dimensions are not required, it may be easier to scale your shell in your slicer instead of regenerating a new one.Pip depth can go very deep, so it's possible to have holes directly through the core. This is hard to print, but looks incredibly cool!If you create something, share a make and your customization values!