While OpenSCAD was made for CSG, there is nothing preventing us from using more indrustry-standard concepts on it, such as sketches, constrains, workplanes, and extrusions.
This workflow is not common in OpenSCAD, but it can be easily programmed in custom modules backed by BOSL2 powerful tools. See proof of concept.
Requirement notes
Multiplatform: ✅
Free / Open source: ✅
Active project: ⚠️
Same problems than normal OpenSCAD.
Low entry barrier: 🔴
Same problems than normal OpenSCAD.
Using parametric modelling instead of CSG could make it easier for people already familiar with other CAD applications (since most of them use parametric modelling).
On the other hand, people not familiar with parametric modelling could be even more confused by this approach than CSG?
Non-linear: ✅
Still non-destructive but using parametric model principles such as sketches, workplanes, and extrusions.
Fast prototyping: 🔴
Same problems than normal OpenSCAD.
Collaboration: ✅
Same goodies than normal OpenSCAD.
Assembly: ✅
Same goodies than normal OpenSCAD.
Common tools: ✅
Simple extrusions are already provided by base OpenSCAD.
More complex extrusions and lofting is provided by BOSL2.
Chamfer and fillet are provided by BOSL2, or other 3rd-party tools if more control is needed.
Intro
While OpenSCAD was made for CSG, there is nothing preventing us from using more indrustry-standard concepts on it, such as sketches, constrains, workplanes, and extrusions.
This workflow is not common in OpenSCAD, but it can be easily programmed in custom modules backed by BOSL2 powerful tools. See proof of concept.
Requirement notes