Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure C-8.
MakerBot Coin: DXF Extrusion
The height parameter is a distance in millimeters and controls how much the
DXF file is extruded. You can adjust the height to any value you like.
You can see from the code that these two files are joined together using the
union operation. Union is the opposite of the difference function we used
previously in the parametric ring tutorial. Instead of removing one object
from another, it joins the two together. It is addition operation, instead of
subtraction.
To tinker with this example, change the
MakerbotM.dxf
or
Maker
botM_Base.dxf
to the name of your DXF file. Make sure the DXF file is in the
same folder as the OpenSCAD script.
You will need to go to Design
→
Flush Caches if you are reload-
ing a modified DXF file with the same name in order to see the
changes.
After your model renders properly, you can export an STL file and print it out!
Exporting From Inkscape Extensions
Unfortunately, Inkscape's built in DXF export uses the revision 13 file speci-
fications, so exported DXF files can include polylines or splines. As mentioned
above, theses elements are a problem for OpenSCAD. Fortunately, there are
workarounds!
There are numerous extensions for exporting DXF files from Inkscape, but
they can be very frustrating to use because they don't always eliminate
splines and polylines. However, we found two that worked well cross-
platform: Inkscape OpenSCAD DXF Export and Inkscape to OpenSCAD Con-
verter v2.
