Empathy List Archives

WF

William F. Adams

Wed, Dec 24, 2025 4:55 PM

On Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 10:36:24 PM EST, Lee DeRaud via Discuss discuss@lists.openscad.org wrote:

The whole "just do it in python" thing seems to be turning into a meme. 😊

There appear to be multiple approaches to extending OS with python...

Yes, there have been.

Any suggestions for where best to start, assuming someone (1) decently familiar with OS,
(2) relative beginner with python, and (3) working in a Windows environment (if that matters)?

I've been having good luck with:

https://pythonscad.org/

and am especially grateful for it since persistent, mutable variables made possible my moving forward on:

https://github.com/WillAdams/gcodepreview

What sort of projects do you wish to do?

How do you wish to approach them?

Addressing what sort of manufacturing tool(s)?

William

--
Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow.
https://designinto3d.com/

On Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 10:36:24 PM EST, Lee DeRaud via Discuss <discuss@lists.openscad.org> wrote: >The whole "just do it in python" thing seems to be turning into a meme. 😊 > >There appear to be multiple approaches to extending OS with python... Yes, there have been. >Any suggestions for where best to start, assuming someone (1) decently familiar with OS, >(2) relative beginner with python, and (3) working in a Windows environment (if that matters)? I've been having good luck with: https://pythonscad.org/ and am especially grateful for it since persistent, mutable variables made possible my moving forward on: https://github.com/WillAdams/gcodepreview What sort of projects do you wish to do? How do you wish to approach them? Addressing what sort of manufacturing tool(s)? William -- Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow. https://designinto3d.com/

LD

lee.deraud@roadrunner.com

Wed, Dec 24, 2025 7:25 PM

Ok, watched the video: where might ”openscad4.py” be found?

From: Sanjeev Prabhakar sprabhakar2006@gmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 7:58 AM
To: OpenSCAD general discussion Mailing-list discuss@lists.openscad.org
Cc: lee.deraud@roadrunner.com
Subject: Re: [OpenSCAD] Best starting point using Python with OpenSCAD?

I have been working on openscad with python for a few years now.

I use Jupyter Lab to write my python code and it is working well for me.

But simply writing openscad code in python is not very useful. You need to learn first to work with points list instead of openscad primitives.

I have written various examples for this approach and here is a small video for a starting point in case you are interested:

https://youtu.be/kBshJ0CQCS0

On Wed, 24 Dec 2025 at 09:06, Lee DeRaud via Discuss <discuss@lists.openscad.org mailto:discuss@lists.openscad.org > wrote:

The whole "just do it in python" thing seems to be turning into a meme. 😊

There appear to be multiple approaches to extending OS with python...

Any suggestions for where best to start, assuming someone (1) decently familiar with OS,

(2) relative beginner with python, and (3) working in a Windows environment (if that matters)?

OpenSCAD mailing list
To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org mailto:discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org

Ok, watched the video: where might ”openscad4.py” be found? From: Sanjeev Prabhakar <sprabhakar2006@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 7:58 AM To: OpenSCAD general discussion Mailing-list <discuss@lists.openscad.org> Cc: lee.deraud@roadrunner.com Subject: Re: [OpenSCAD] Best starting point using Python with OpenSCAD? I have been working on openscad with python for a few years now. I use Jupyter Lab to write my python code and it is working well for me. But simply writing openscad code in python is not very useful. You need to learn first to work with points list instead of openscad primitives. I have written various examples for this approach and here is a small video for a starting point in case you are interested: https://youtu.be/kBshJ0CQCS0 On Wed, 24 Dec 2025 at 09:06, Lee DeRaud via Discuss <discuss@lists.openscad.org <mailto:discuss@lists.openscad.org> > wrote: The whole "just do it in python" thing seems to be turning into a meme. 😊 There appear to be multiple approaches to extending OS with python... Any suggestions for where best to start, assuming someone (1) decently familiar with OS, (2) relative beginner with python, and (3) working in a Windows environment (if that matters)? _______________________________________________ OpenSCAD mailing list To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org <mailto:discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org>

SP

Sanjeev Prabhakar

Wed, Dec 24, 2025 10:02 PM

It's mentioned in the video description

You can download it from here:
https://github.com/sprabhakar2006/openSCAD/blob/main/openscad4.py

You need to also install following libraries in python:
numpy, scipy, sympy, scikit-image

On Thu, 25 Dec, 2025, 12:56 am Lee DeRaud via Discuss, <
discuss@lists.openscad.org> wrote:

Ok, watched the video: where might ”openscad4.py” be found?

From: Sanjeev Prabhakar sprabhakar2006@gmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 7:58 AM
To: OpenSCAD general discussion Mailing-list <discuss@lists.openscad.org

Cc: lee.deraud@roadrunner.com
Subject: Re: [OpenSCAD] Best starting point using Python with OpenSCAD?

I have been working on openscad with python for a few years now.

I use Jupyter Lab to write my python code and it is working well for me.

But simply writing openscad code in python is not very useful. You need to
learn first to work with points list instead of openscad primitives.

I have written various examples for this approach and here is a small
video for a starting point in case you are interested:

https://youtu.be/kBshJ0CQCS0

On Wed, 24 Dec 2025 at 09:06, Lee DeRaud via Discuss <
discuss@lists.openscad.org> wrote:

The whole "just do it in python" thing seems to be turning into a meme. 😊

There appear to be multiple approaches to extending OS with python...

Any suggestions for where best to start, assuming someone (1) decently
familiar with OS,

(2) relative beginner with python, and (3) working in a Windows
environment (if that matters)?

OpenSCAD mailing list
To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org

It's mentioned in the video description You can download it from here: https://github.com/sprabhakar2006/openSCAD/blob/main/openscad4.py You need to also install following libraries in python: numpy, scipy, sympy, scikit-image On Thu, 25 Dec, 2025, 12:56 am Lee DeRaud via Discuss, < discuss@lists.openscad.org> wrote: > Ok, watched the video: where might ”openscad4.py” be found? > > > > *From:* Sanjeev Prabhakar <sprabhakar2006@gmail.com> > *Sent:* Wednesday, December 24, 2025 7:58 AM > *To:* OpenSCAD general discussion Mailing-list <discuss@lists.openscad.org > > > *Cc:* lee.deraud@roadrunner.com > *Subject:* Re: [OpenSCAD] Best starting point using Python with OpenSCAD? > > > > I have been working on openscad with python for a few years now. > > > > I use Jupyter Lab to write my python code and it is working well for me. > > > > But simply writing openscad code in python is not very useful. You need to > learn first to work with points list instead of openscad primitives. > > > > I have written various examples for this approach and here is a small > video for a starting point in case you are interested: > > https://youtu.be/kBshJ0CQCS0 > > > > On Wed, 24 Dec 2025 at 09:06, Lee DeRaud via Discuss < > discuss@lists.openscad.org> wrote: > > The whole "just do it in python" thing seems to be turning into a meme. 😊 > > > > There appear to be multiple approaches to extending OS with python... > > Any suggestions for where best to start, assuming someone (1) decently > familiar with OS, > > (2) relative beginner with python, and (3) working in a Windows > environment (if that matters)? > > > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org

LD

lee.deraud@roadrunner.com

Wed, Dec 24, 2025 10:18 PM

Thanks.

I’d swear I did a search on github for ‘openscad4.py’ and got no results…maybe I really AM that lame. ☹

From: Sanjeev Prabhakar sprabhakar2006@gmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 2:03 PM
To: OpenSCAD general discussion Mailing-list discuss@lists.openscad.org
Cc: Lee DeRaud lee.deraud@roadrunner.com
Subject: Re: [OpenSCAD] Re: Best starting point using Python with OpenSCAD?

It's mentioned in the video description

You can download it from here: https://github.com/sprabhakar2006/openSCAD/blob/main/openscad4.py

You need to also install following libraries in python:

numpy, scipy, sympy, scikit-image

On Thu, 25 Dec, 2025, 12:56 am Lee DeRaud via Discuss, <discuss@lists.openscad.org mailto:discuss@lists.openscad.org > wrote:

Ok, watched the video: where might ”openscad4.py” be found?

From: Sanjeev Prabhakar <sprabhakar2006@gmail.com mailto:sprabhakar2006@gmail.com >
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 7:58 AM
To: OpenSCAD general discussion Mailing-list <discuss@lists.openscad.org mailto:discuss@lists.openscad.org >
Cc: lee.deraud@roadrunner.com mailto:lee.deraud@roadrunner.com
Subject: Re: [OpenSCAD] Best starting point using Python with OpenSCAD?

I have been working on openscad with python for a few years now.

I use Jupyter Lab to write my python code and it is working well for me.

But simply writing openscad code in python is not very useful. You need to learn first to work with points list instead of openscad primitives.

I have written various examples for this approach and here is a small video for a starting point in case you are interested:

https://youtu.be/kBshJ0CQCS0

On Wed, 24 Dec 2025 at 09:06, Lee DeRaud via Discuss <discuss@lists.openscad.org mailto:discuss@lists.openscad.org > wrote:

The whole "just do it in python" thing seems to be turning into a meme. 😊

There appear to be multiple approaches to extending OS with python...

Any suggestions for where best to start, assuming someone (1) decently familiar with OS,

(2) relative beginner with python, and (3) working in a Windows environment (if that matters)?

OpenSCAD mailing list
To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org mailto:discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org

Thanks. I’d swear I did a search on github for ‘openscad4.py’ and got no results…maybe I really AM that lame. ☹ From: Sanjeev Prabhakar <sprabhakar2006@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 2:03 PM To: OpenSCAD general discussion Mailing-list <discuss@lists.openscad.org> Cc: Lee DeRaud <lee.deraud@roadrunner.com> Subject: Re: [OpenSCAD] Re: Best starting point using Python with OpenSCAD? It's mentioned in the video description You can download it from here: https://github.com/sprabhakar2006/openSCAD/blob/main/openscad4.py You need to also install following libraries in python: numpy, scipy, sympy, scikit-image On Thu, 25 Dec, 2025, 12:56 am Lee DeRaud via Discuss, <discuss@lists.openscad.org <mailto:discuss@lists.openscad.org> > wrote: Ok, watched the video: where might ”openscad4.py” be found? From: Sanjeev Prabhakar <sprabhakar2006@gmail.com <mailto:sprabhakar2006@gmail.com> > Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 7:58 AM To: OpenSCAD general discussion Mailing-list <discuss@lists.openscad.org <mailto:discuss@lists.openscad.org> > Cc: lee.deraud@roadrunner.com <mailto:lee.deraud@roadrunner.com> Subject: Re: [OpenSCAD] Best starting point using Python with OpenSCAD? I have been working on openscad with python for a few years now. I use Jupyter Lab to write my python code and it is working well for me. But simply writing openscad code in python is not very useful. You need to learn first to work with points list instead of openscad primitives. I have written various examples for this approach and here is a small video for a starting point in case you are interested: https://youtu.be/kBshJ0CQCS0 On Wed, 24 Dec 2025 at 09:06, Lee DeRaud via Discuss <discuss@lists.openscad.org <mailto:discuss@lists.openscad.org> > wrote: The whole "just do it in python" thing seems to be turning into a meme. 😊 There appear to be multiple approaches to extending OS with python... Any suggestions for where best to start, assuming someone (1) decently familiar with OS, (2) relative beginner with python, and (3) working in a Windows environment (if that matters)? _______________________________________________ OpenSCAD mailing list To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org <mailto:discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org> _______________________________________________ OpenSCAD mailing list To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org <mailto:discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org>

SP

Sanjeev Prabhakar

Thu, Dec 25, 2025 1:59 AM

Oh, I have never tried searching for openscad4.py

You can download an examples file from here. Some of the definitions in the
index may be outdated, but the examples should be good:

https://github.com/sprabhakar2006/openSCAD/blob/main/explanation%20of%20approaches/openscad4%20examples.pdf

On Thu, 25 Dec 2025 at 03:48, Lee DeRaud via Discuss <
discuss@lists.openscad.org> wrote:

Thanks.

I’d swear I did a search on github for ‘openscad4.py’ and got no
results…maybe I really AM that lame. ☹

From: Sanjeev Prabhakar sprabhakar2006@gmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 2:03 PM
To: OpenSCAD general discussion Mailing-list <discuss@lists.openscad.org

Cc: Lee DeRaud lee.deraud@roadrunner.com
Subject: Re: [OpenSCAD] Re: Best starting point using Python with
OpenSCAD?

It's mentioned in the video description

You can download it from here:
https://github.com/sprabhakar2006/openSCAD/blob/main/openscad4.py

You need to also install following libraries in python:

numpy, scipy, sympy, scikit-image

On Thu, 25 Dec, 2025, 12:56 am Lee DeRaud via Discuss, <
discuss@lists.openscad.org> wrote:

Ok, watched the video: where might ”openscad4.py” be found?

From: Sanjeev Prabhakar sprabhakar2006@gmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 7:58 AM
To: OpenSCAD general discussion Mailing-list <discuss@lists.openscad.org

Cc: lee.deraud@roadrunner.com
Subject: Re: [OpenSCAD] Best starting point using Python with OpenSCAD?

I have been working on openscad with python for a few years now.

I use Jupyter Lab to write my python code and it is working well for me.

But simply writing openscad code in python is not very useful. You need to
learn first to work with points list instead of openscad primitives.

I have written various examples for this approach and here is a small
video for a starting point in case you are interested:

https://youtu.be/kBshJ0CQCS0

On Wed, 24 Dec 2025 at 09:06, Lee DeRaud via Discuss <
discuss@lists.openscad.org> wrote:

The whole "just do it in python" thing seems to be turning into a meme. 😊

There appear to be multiple approaches to extending OS with python...

Any suggestions for where best to start, assuming someone (1) decently
familiar with OS,

(2) relative beginner with python, and (3) working in a Windows
environment (if that matters)?

OpenSCAD mailing list
To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org

Oh, I have never tried searching for openscad4.py You can download an examples file from here. Some of the definitions in the index may be outdated, but the examples should be good: https://github.com/sprabhakar2006/openSCAD/blob/main/explanation%20of%20approaches/openscad4%20examples.pdf On Thu, 25 Dec 2025 at 03:48, Lee DeRaud via Discuss < discuss@lists.openscad.org> wrote: > Thanks. > > I’d swear I did a search on github for ‘openscad4.py’ and got no > results…maybe I really AM that lame. ☹ > > > > *From:* Sanjeev Prabhakar <sprabhakar2006@gmail.com> > *Sent:* Wednesday, December 24, 2025 2:03 PM > *To:* OpenSCAD general discussion Mailing-list <discuss@lists.openscad.org > > > *Cc:* Lee DeRaud <lee.deraud@roadrunner.com> > *Subject:* Re: [OpenSCAD] Re: Best starting point using Python with > OpenSCAD? > > > > It's mentioned in the video description > > > > You can download it from here: > https://github.com/sprabhakar2006/openSCAD/blob/main/openscad4.py > > > > You need to also install following libraries in python: > > numpy, scipy, sympy, scikit-image > > > > On Thu, 25 Dec, 2025, 12:56 am Lee DeRaud via Discuss, < > discuss@lists.openscad.org> wrote: > > Ok, watched the video: where might ”openscad4.py” be found? > > > > *From:* Sanjeev Prabhakar <sprabhakar2006@gmail.com> > *Sent:* Wednesday, December 24, 2025 7:58 AM > *To:* OpenSCAD general discussion Mailing-list <discuss@lists.openscad.org > > > *Cc:* lee.deraud@roadrunner.com > *Subject:* Re: [OpenSCAD] Best starting point using Python with OpenSCAD? > > > > I have been working on openscad with python for a few years now. > > > > I use Jupyter Lab to write my python code and it is working well for me. > > > > But simply writing openscad code in python is not very useful. You need to > learn first to work with points list instead of openscad primitives. > > > > I have written various examples for this approach and here is a small > video for a starting point in case you are interested: > > https://youtu.be/kBshJ0CQCS0 > > > > On Wed, 24 Dec 2025 at 09:06, Lee DeRaud via Discuss < > discuss@lists.openscad.org> wrote: > > The whole "just do it in python" thing seems to be turning into a meme. 😊 > > > > There appear to be multiple approaches to extending OS with python... > > Any suggestions for where best to start, assuming someone (1) decently > familiar with OS, > > (2) relative beginner with python, and (3) working in a Windows > environment (if that matters)? > > > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org >

JB

Jon Bondy

Thu, Dec 25, 2025 2:11 AM

Sanjeev:

"You need to learn first to work with points list instead of openscad
primitives."

You and I think very differently. From my perspective, the whole point
of using OpenSCAD (plus BOSL2) is to NOT have to deal with point lists.

Jon

On 12/24/2025 10:58 AM, Sanjeev Prabhakar via Discuss wrote:

I have been working on openscad with python for a few years now.

I use Jupyter Lab to write my python code and it is working well for me.

But simply writing openscad code in python is not very useful. You
need to learn first to work with points list instead of openscad
primitives.

I have written various examples for this approach and here is a small
video for a starting point in case you are interested:
https://youtu.be/kBshJ0CQCS0
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_kBshJ0CQCS0&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=AsrE-c7ZR7B2Kyr3qgfvvppkCEBVsNmwEMndcrRSuOI&m=C-2LNFc4Vy8H1YpL56LCiAEPDkG3QYO27Ipyvyc0DrQ2c1gbJkY4C2Ac9G-rFCJu&s=GOkemD40ePPDy_8Nl3SyQh9B-HzV8PuteL-E8-MnCrU&e=

On Wed, 24 Dec 2025 at 09:06, Lee DeRaud via Discuss
discuss@lists.openscad.org wrote:

 The whole "just do it in python" thing seems to be turning into a
 meme. 😊

 There appear to be multiple approaches to extending OS with python...

 Any suggestions for where best to start, assuming  someone (1)
 decently familiar with OS,

 (2) relative beginner with python, and (3) working in a Windows
 environment (if that matters)?

 _______________________________________________
 OpenSCAD mailing list
 To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org

OpenSCAD mailing list
To unsubscribe send an email todiscuss-leave@lists.openscad.org

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Sanjeev: "You need to learn first to work with points list instead of openscad primitives." You and I think very differently. From my perspective, the whole point of using OpenSCAD (plus BOSL2) is to NOT have to deal with point lists. Jon On 12/24/2025 10:58 AM, Sanjeev Prabhakar via Discuss wrote: > I have been working on openscad with python for a few years now. > > I use Jupyter Lab to write my python code and it is working well for me. > > But simply writing openscad code in python is not very useful. You > need to learn first to work with points list instead of openscad > primitives. > > I have written various examples for this approach and here is a small > video for a starting point in case you are interested: > https://youtu.be/kBshJ0CQCS0 > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_kBshJ0CQCS0&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=AsrE-c7ZR7B2Kyr3qgfvvppkCEBVsNmwEMndcrRSuOI&m=C-2LNFc4Vy8H1YpL56LCiAEPDkG3QYO27Ipyvyc0DrQ2c1gbJkY4C2Ac9G-rFCJu&s=GOkemD40ePPDy_8Nl3SyQh9B-HzV8PuteL-E8-MnCrU&e=> > > On Wed, 24 Dec 2025 at 09:06, Lee DeRaud via Discuss > <discuss@lists.openscad.org> wrote: > > The whole "just do it in python" thing seems to be turning into a > meme. 😊 > > There appear to be multiple approaches to extending OS with python... > > Any suggestions for where best to start, assuming someone (1) > decently familiar with OS, > > (2) relative beginner with python, and (3) working in a Windows > environment (if that matters)? > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org > > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > To unsubscribe send an email todiscuss-leave@lists.openscad.org -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG antivirus software. www.avg.com

SP

Sanjeev Prabhakar

Thu, Dec 25, 2025 2:30 AM

Hi Jon,

I understand your point of view.

Bosl2 basically works on the points list afaik, you may not be aware about
it though.

Openscad as a software is wonderful with it's capabilities to render
objects and boolean operations especially.

Only problem i feel is with the language.

Python is far better and with a well written library probably you would not
even know that you are using python and may look very similar to openscad.

On Thu, 25 Dec, 2025, 7:41 am Jon Bondy, jon@jonbondy.com wrote:

Sanjeev:

"You need to learn first to work with points list instead of openscad
primitives."

You and I think very differently. From my perspective, the whole point of
using OpenSCAD (plus BOSL2) is to NOT have to deal with point lists.

Jon

On 12/24/2025 10:58 AM, Sanjeev Prabhakar via Discuss wrote:

I have been working on openscad with python for a few years now.

I use Jupyter Lab to write my python code and it is working well for me.

But simply writing openscad code in python is not very useful. You need to
learn first to work with points list instead of openscad primitives.

I have written various examples for this approach and here is a small
video for a starting point in case you are interested:
https://youtu.be/kBshJ0CQCS0
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_kBshJ0CQCS0&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=AsrE-c7ZR7B2Kyr3qgfvvppkCEBVsNmwEMndcrRSuOI&m=C-2LNFc4Vy8H1YpL56LCiAEPDkG3QYO27Ipyvyc0DrQ2c1gbJkY4C2Ac9G-rFCJu&s=GOkemD40ePPDy_8Nl3SyQh9B-HzV8PuteL-E8-MnCrU&e=

On Wed, 24 Dec 2025 at 09:06, Lee DeRaud via Discuss <
discuss@lists.openscad.org> wrote:

The whole "just do it in python" thing seems to be turning into a meme.
😊

There appear to be multiple approaches to extending OS with python...

Any suggestions for where best to start, assuming someone (1) decently
familiar with OS,

(2) relative beginner with python, and (3) working in a Windows
environment (if that matters)?

OpenSCAD mailing list
To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org

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Hi Jon, I understand your point of view. Bosl2 basically works on the points list afaik, you may not be aware about it though. Openscad as a software is wonderful with it's capabilities to render objects and boolean operations especially. Only problem i feel is with the language. Python is far better and with a well written library probably you would not even know that you are using python and may look very similar to openscad. On Thu, 25 Dec, 2025, 7:41 am Jon Bondy, <jon@jonbondy.com> wrote: > Sanjeev: > > "You need to learn first to work with points list instead of openscad > primitives." > > You and I think very differently. From my perspective, the whole point of > using OpenSCAD (plus BOSL2) is to NOT have to deal with point lists. > > Jon > > > On 12/24/2025 10:58 AM, Sanjeev Prabhakar via Discuss wrote: > > I have been working on openscad with python for a few years now. > > I use Jupyter Lab to write my python code and it is working well for me. > > But simply writing openscad code in python is not very useful. You need to > learn first to work with points list instead of openscad primitives. > > I have written various examples for this approach and here is a small > video for a starting point in case you are interested: > https://youtu.be/kBshJ0CQCS0 > <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_kBshJ0CQCS0&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=AsrE-c7ZR7B2Kyr3qgfvvppkCEBVsNmwEMndcrRSuOI&m=C-2LNFc4Vy8H1YpL56LCiAEPDkG3QYO27Ipyvyc0DrQ2c1gbJkY4C2Ac9G-rFCJu&s=GOkemD40ePPDy_8Nl3SyQh9B-HzV8PuteL-E8-MnCrU&e=> > > On Wed, 24 Dec 2025 at 09:06, Lee DeRaud via Discuss < > discuss@lists.openscad.org> wrote: > >> The whole "just do it in python" thing seems to be turning into a meme. >> 😊 >> >> >> >> There appear to be multiple approaches to extending OS with python... >> >> Any suggestions for where best to start, assuming someone (1) decently >> familiar with OS, >> >> (2) relative beginner with python, and (3) working in a Windows >> environment (if that matters)? >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> OpenSCAD mailing list >> To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org >> > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org > > > > <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient> > Virus-free.www.avg.com > <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient> > <#m_4330863540560679973_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2> >

LD

lee.deraud@roadrunner.com

Thu, Dec 25, 2025 2:38 AM

As it happens, most of my OS work lately involves adding shapes to imported STLs from scans

or chunks thereof: I’m designing things like fender flares for plastic car models. Seemed like a

good idea at the time...not sure what the python stuff will bring to the table, but hey, learn

something new every day.

(My wife has described the last couple of weeks as “a scavenger hunt down a rabbit hole”.

It’s rapidly changing into multiple scavenger hunts down multiple rabbit holes. So it goes.)

From: Jon Bondy via Discuss discuss@lists.openscad.org
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 6:12 PM
To: OpenSCAD general discussion Mailing-list discuss@lists.openscad.org
Cc: lee.deraud@roadrunner.com; Sanjeev Prabhakar sprabhakar2006@gmail.com; Jon Bondy jon@jonbondy.com
Subject: [OpenSCAD] Re: Best starting point using Python with OpenSCAD?

Sanjeev:

"You need to learn first to work with points list instead of openscad primitives."

You and I think very differently. From my perspective, the whole point of using OpenSCAD (plus BOSL2) is to NOT have to deal with point lists.

Jon

On 12/24/2025 10:58 AM, Sanjeev Prabhakar via Discuss wrote:

I have been working on openscad with python for a few years now.

I use Jupyter Lab to write my python code and it is working well for me.

But simply writing openscad code in python is not very useful. You need to learn first to work with points list instead of openscad primitives.

I have written various examples for this approach and here is a small video for a starting point in case you are interested:

https://youtu.be/kBshJ0CQCS0 https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_kBshJ0CQCS0&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=AsrE-c7ZR7B2Kyr3qgfvvppkCEBVsNmwEMndcrRSuOI&m=C-2LNFc4Vy8H1YpL56LCiAEPDkG3QYO27Ipyvyc0DrQ2c1gbJkY4C2Ac9G-rFCJu&s=GOkemD40ePPDy_8Nl3SyQh9B-HzV8PuteL-E8-MnCrU&e=

On Wed, 24 Dec 2025 at 09:06, Lee DeRaud via Discuss <discuss@lists.openscad.org mailto:discuss@lists.openscad.org > wrote:

The whole "just do it in python" thing seems to be turning into a meme. 😊

There appear to be multiple approaches to extending OS with python...

Any suggestions for where best to start, assuming someone (1) decently familiar with OS,

(2) relative beginner with python, and (3) working in a Windows environment (if that matters)?

OpenSCAD mailing list
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As it happens, most of my OS work lately involves adding shapes to imported STLs from scans or chunks thereof: I’m designing things like fender flares for plastic car models. Seemed like a good idea at the time...not sure what the python stuff will bring to the table, but hey, learn something new every day. (My wife has described the last couple of weeks as “a scavenger hunt down a rabbit hole”. It’s rapidly changing into multiple scavenger hunts down multiple rabbit holes. So it goes.) From: Jon Bondy via Discuss <discuss@lists.openscad.org> Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 6:12 PM To: OpenSCAD general discussion Mailing-list <discuss@lists.openscad.org> Cc: lee.deraud@roadrunner.com; Sanjeev Prabhakar <sprabhakar2006@gmail.com>; Jon Bondy <jon@jonbondy.com> Subject: [OpenSCAD] Re: Best starting point using Python with OpenSCAD? Sanjeev: "You need to learn first to work with points list instead of openscad primitives." You and I think very differently. From my perspective, the whole point of using OpenSCAD (plus BOSL2) is to NOT have to deal with point lists. Jon On 12/24/2025 10:58 AM, Sanjeev Prabhakar via Discuss wrote: I have been working on openscad with python for a few years now. I use Jupyter Lab to write my python code and it is working well for me. But simply writing openscad code in python is not very useful. You need to learn first to work with points list instead of openscad primitives. I have written various examples for this approach and here is a small video for a starting point in case you are interested: https://youtu.be/kBshJ0CQCS0 <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__youtu.be_kBshJ0CQCS0&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=AsrE-c7ZR7B2Kyr3qgfvvppkCEBVsNmwEMndcrRSuOI&m=C-2LNFc4Vy8H1YpL56LCiAEPDkG3QYO27Ipyvyc0DrQ2c1gbJkY4C2Ac9G-rFCJu&s=GOkemD40ePPDy_8Nl3SyQh9B-HzV8PuteL-E8-MnCrU&e=> On Wed, 24 Dec 2025 at 09:06, Lee DeRaud via Discuss <discuss@lists.openscad.org <mailto:discuss@lists.openscad.org> > wrote: The whole "just do it in python" thing seems to be turning into a meme. 😊 There appear to be multiple approaches to extending OS with python... Any suggestions for where best to start, assuming someone (1) decently familiar with OS, (2) relative beginner with python, and (3) working in a Windows environment (if that matters)? _______________________________________________ OpenSCAD mailing list To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org <mailto:discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org> _______________________________________________ OpenSCAD mailing list To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org <mailto:discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org> <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient> Virus-free. <http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient> www.avg.com

WF

William F. Adams

Thu, Dec 25, 2025 2:47 AM

On Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at 09:39:16 PM EST, Lee DeRaud via Discuss discuss@lists.openscad.org wrote:

As it happens, most of my OS work lately involves adding shapes to imported STLs from scans
or chunks thereof: I’m designing things like fender flares for plastic car models. Seemed like a
good idea at the time...not sure what the python stuff will bring to the table, but hey, learn
something new every day.(My wife has described the last couple of weeks as “a scavenger hunt down a rabbit hole”.
It’s rapidly changing into multiple scavenger hunts down multiple rabbit holes. So it goes.)

Recently on HackerNews, I had a bit of a discussion where one user posted:

One annoying thing is that the default way of writing programs in OpenSCAD uses 'modules',
which are a bit limited compared to functions (you can't store them as values to to functions
or other modules). I worked around that by writing a module that interprets arrays (think S-expressions)
that representing the shape, and then just build up that S-expression-like thing with functions and whatever.

which resulted in:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46345912

An example of an OpenSCAD design written this way: https://github.com/TOGoS/OpenSCADDesigns/blob/master/2023/experimental/Threads2.scad

I wrote about the approach a little bit in this Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/openscad/comments/186b54r/interpreter_pattern_to_work_around_lack_of/

The interpreter itself is just a single module: https://github.com/TOGoS/OpenSCADDesigns/blob/master/2023/lib/TOGMod1.scad

which brings us back to OpenSCAD and while another hole, maybe is one worth looking into?

William

On Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at 09:39:16 PM EST, Lee DeRaud via Discuss <discuss@lists.openscad.org> wrote: >As it happens, most of my OS work lately involves adding shapes to imported STLs from scans >or chunks thereof: I’m designing things like fender flares for plastic car models. Seemed like a >good idea at the time...not sure what the python stuff will bring to the table, but hey, learn >something new every day.(My wife has described the last couple of weeks as “a scavenger hunt down a rabbit hole”. >It’s rapidly changing into multiple scavenger hunts down multiple rabbit holes. So it goes.) Recently on HackerNews, I had a bit of a discussion where one user posted: >One annoying thing is that the default way of writing programs in OpenSCAD uses 'modules', >which are a bit limited compared to functions (you can't store them as values to to functions >or other modules). I worked around that by writing a module that interprets arrays (think S-expressions) >that representing the shape, and then just build up that S-expression-like thing with functions and whatever. which resulted in: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46345912 >An example of an OpenSCAD design written this way: https://github.com/TOGoS/OpenSCADDesigns/blob/master/2023/experimental/Threads2.scad > >I wrote about the approach a little bit in this Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/openscad/comments/186b54r/interpreter_pattern_to_work_around_lack_of/ > >The interpreter itself is just a single module: https://github.com/TOGoS/OpenSCADDesigns/blob/master/2023/lib/TOGMod1.scad which brings us back to OpenSCAD and while another hole, maybe is one worth looking into? William

CC

Cory Cross

Thu, Dec 25, 2025 5:37 AM

That's "just" vnf https://github.com/BelfrySCAD/BOSL2/wiki/vnf.scad using lists instead of functions.

On December 24, 2025 6:47:12 PM PST, "William F. Adams via Discuss" discuss@lists.openscad.org wrote:

On Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at 09:39:16 PM EST, Lee DeRaud via Discuss discuss@lists.openscad.org wrote:

As it happens, most of my OS work lately involves adding shapes to imported STLs from scans
or chunks thereof: I’m designing things like fender flares for plastic car models. Seemed like a
good idea at the time...not sure what the python stuff will bring to the table, but hey, learn
something new every day.(My wife has described the last couple of weeks as “a scavenger hunt down a rabbit hole”.
It’s rapidly changing into multiple scavenger hunts down multiple rabbit holes. So it goes.)

Recently on HackerNews, I had a bit of a discussion where one user posted:

One annoying thing is that the default way of writing programs in OpenSCAD uses 'modules',
which are a bit limited compared to functions (you can't store them as values to to functions
or other modules). I worked around that by writing a module that interprets arrays (think S-expressions)
that representing the shape, and then just build up that S-expression-like thing with functions and whatever.

which resulted in:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46345912

An example of an OpenSCAD design written this way: https://github.com/TOGoS/OpenSCADDesigns/blob/master/2023/experimental/Threads2.scad

I wrote about the approach a little bit in this Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/openscad/comments/186b54r/interpreter_pattern_to_work_around_lack_of/

The interpreter itself is just a single module: https://github.com/TOGoS/OpenSCADDesigns/blob/master/2023/lib/TOGMod1.scad

which brings us back to OpenSCAD and while another hole, maybe is one worth looking into?

William

OpenSCAD mailing list
To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org

That's "just" vnf https://github.com/BelfrySCAD/BOSL2/wiki/vnf.scad using lists instead of functions. On December 24, 2025 6:47:12 PM PST, "William F. Adams via Discuss" <discuss@lists.openscad.org> wrote: >On Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at 09:39:16 PM EST, Lee DeRaud via Discuss <discuss@lists.openscad.org> wrote: > >>As it happens, most of my OS work lately involves adding shapes to imported STLs from scans >>or chunks thereof: I’m designing things like fender flares for plastic car models. Seemed like a >>good idea at the time...not sure what the python stuff will bring to the table, but hey, learn >>something new every day.(My wife has described the last couple of weeks as “a scavenger hunt down a rabbit hole”. >>It’s rapidly changing into multiple scavenger hunts down multiple rabbit holes. So it goes.) > >Recently on HackerNews, I had a bit of a discussion where one user posted: > >>One annoying thing is that the default way of writing programs in OpenSCAD uses 'modules', >>which are a bit limited compared to functions (you can't store them as values to to functions >>or other modules). I worked around that by writing a module that interprets arrays (think S-expressions) >>that representing the shape, and then just build up that S-expression-like thing with functions and whatever. > >which resulted in: > >https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46345912 > >>An example of an OpenSCAD design written this way: https://github.com/TOGoS/OpenSCADDesigns/blob/master/2023/experimental/Threads2.scad >> >>I wrote about the approach a little bit in this Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/openscad/comments/186b54r/interpreter_pattern_to_work_around_lack_of/ >> >>The interpreter itself is just a single module: https://github.com/TOGoS/OpenSCADDesigns/blob/master/2023/lib/TOGMod1.scad > >which brings us back to OpenSCAD and while another hole, maybe is one worth looking into? > >William >_______________________________________________ >OpenSCAD mailing list >To unsubscribe send an email to discuss-leave@lists.openscad.org

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