FreeCAD to openSCAD

thingiverse

This is a great tool. FreeCAD is a good tool, but I think the Boolean engine is inferior to other CADs. Many times FreeCAD has created broken objects. This tool gives a second chance to convert broken models of FreeCAD. This tool can convert from FreeCAD files to openSCAD files. You can use the openSCAD Boolean engine. How to Install: The macro filename is "ConvOpenSCAD.py". Please put it into your macro folder. To do this, go to http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/index.php?title=How_to_install_macros. How to Use: First, create your model. Next, save your model. Then, run this macro. Finally, display the "Complete" dialog and click the Ok button. Now, open the scad file. This macro automatically creates a subfolder on the parent folder of the FreeCAD file. The folder name is "OpenSCAD - " & your FreeCAD filename. Here's what happens next: This macro automatically creates some STL files. This macro loads and uses these STL files for the Boolean process. However, this macro does not create STL files for certain shapes. These shapes are spheres, cylinders, cubes, and cones. But if an angle is modified, these shapes will convert to STL files. Advice: Sometimes FreeCAD creates broken STL files even with simple models. Try fixing the STL using netfabb before compiling and rendering openSCAD. And sometimes openSCAD creates broken STLs too. You need to fix them. netfabb has a free license mode called netfabb Basic. It also has a crowd mode, which you can find at https://www.netfabb.com/products/netfabb-basic and https://netfabb.azurewebsites.net/. openSCAD's Boolean engine is better than FreeCAD's, but it's not perfect either. You may need to try fixing the STL yourself. For example, you can cut out short parts nodes and convert each node to an STL file. Or you might want to use a different CAD.