PolyBowls - A simple OpenSCAD code walkthrough

In six minutes we'll create a simple parametric 3D-printable model from scratch using OpenSCAD. Even if you've never written code before, you'll be able to follow along with this video and learn the basics of OpenSCAD.
Read more about this design and how download free sample models and create your own polybowl with the Thingiverse Customizer at Hacktastic: mathgrrl.com/hacktastic/2015/0...
Here is the final code, so you can cut and paste it if you like:
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// simple custom polybowl
/* [Size] */
// width of the bowl (in mm)
diameter = 32;
radius = diameter/2;
// height of the main part (in mm)
bodyHeight = 50;
// height of the base and lower rim (in mm)
baseHeight = 1;
// height of the upper rim (in mm)
rimHeight = 1;
/* [Style] */
// number of polygon sides
sides = 5;
// thickness of the bowl (keep above 1.5 mm)
thickness = 1.5;
// degrees that the bowl shape will twist
bodyTwist = 36;
// factor by which bowl shape will scale out/in
bodyFlare = 1.8;
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// RENDERS
// base
linear_extrude( height = baseHeight )
polyShape( solid="yes" );
// body
translate([0,0,baseHeight])
linear_extrude( height = bodyHeight, twist = bodyTwist,
scale = bodyFlare, slices = 2*bodyHeight )
polyShape( solid="no" ); // change to yes for solid bowl
// rim
translate([0,0,bodyHeight+baseHeight])
rotate(-bodyTwist)
scale(bodyFlare)
linear_extrude( height = rimHeight )
polyShape( solid="no" ); // change to yes for solid bowl
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// MODULES
module polyShape(solid){
difference(){
// start with outer shape
offset( r=5, $fn=48 )
circle( r=radius, $fn=sides );
// take away inner shape
if (solid=="no"){
offset( r=5-thickness, $fn=48 )
circle( r=radius, $fn=sides );
}
}
}

[@tiffnjeff]

This is an excellent tutorial! I was looking for a quick getting started guide for OpenSCAD and this was far better than I could have hoped for in a short video. Excellent job packing so much useful info in without a bunch of filler!

[@philchadwick9470]

That is by far the best presented tutorial of any CAD program I've seen (FreeCad,blender and designspark mechanical are the others I've been following). Thank you.

[@alexhudspeth1213]

This was so good! I'm just learning OpenScad, and going step by step with this video was fun and educational. I may just go print my twisty little bowl.

[@rolfw2336]

Lots of good stuff on openSCAD packed in a short video. Thx.

[@mekatrol]

Nice tutorial. Well thought out, no dwelling on the basics and straight to the point. Thank you.

[@wilmergaona]

Ohh wonderfull. I have seen it at least 5 times. Extremely simple to understand the power behind OpenScad.
The only modification that I would do it would be scale the rim in the X and Y axis with the variable bodyFlare and left the Z = 1 in order to keep the rim's height equal to the variable rimHeight.

[@caseypaleos3266]

I agree with @Sefra Correa, you should make more tutorials! Super concise & very clear, so helpful, thank you very much

[@chaios]

Thanks for this. I've watched a lot of OpenSCAD tutorials, and this is the one that helped the concepts click for me.

[@SefraCorrea]

please make more tutorials

[@jeffreygong6678]

Extremely Helpful! Keep making these great videos!

[@peetersm]

great job! This video covers so much in such wonderful details, and it MEATY! no fluff or filler.

[@snakedageneral]

thank you.... been looking for this kind of user friendly tutorial... really helpful. :D

[@fredm2007]

Laura, this is a great tutorial! Thank you!

[@BobMorrison56]

Outstanding tutorial - Well done!

[@kugikvist]

This is a Reeally Cool video, Thx lady for this Walkthrough.

[@goofoffbert]

Nicely done ..learned a lot with just a small amt of code!

[@vexlerfrancois2447]

It is realy a super explanation of the main functionnalities of this software. Thank you very much.

[@bradleyphillips5254]

I really liked this video!! Please make more :)

[@icu9820]

Thanks

[@mahmoudagha4060]

I found that the base can be modeled by assuming that it is a trapezium and calculating the flare (would allow us to reuse the module of the polyShape
baseflare = baseheight/bodyheight *(1+ bodyflare);
The angle of twist needs to be modified as well so it is
basetwist = baseheight/bodyheight* bodytwist;
// This worked for me and produced a seemingly valid shape
P.S.: I don't have a 3d printer so I don't know whether the shapes works or not
Correction: Doesn't work and I don't know why

[@magnuswootton6181]

nice1 open s-cad rulez!!!