SwiftSCAD

SwiftSCAD is a library that allows you to create 3D and 2D CAD models in Swift. It acts as a preprocessor for OpenSCAD, generating .scad files that can be previewed and rendered using the OpenSCAD application. This offers a more convenient API, breaking away from the limitations of the OpenSCAD language.

SwiftSCAD runs on macOS, Windows and Linux.

Getting Started

tl;dr: Create a new executable Swift package, add SwiftSCAD as a dependency, import it in your code, create geometry and use the save(to:) method to save it to disk as an OpenSCAD file.

1. Install OpenSCAD

Install OpenSCAD in order to preview and render your models. Use a development snapshot version because the stable releases are usually very old.

2. Install Swift

If you're using macOS, it's easiest to install the latest version of Xcode.

For Windows and Linux, install Swift directly. I also recommend installing VS Code with the Swift extension to make development easier.

3. Create a new Swift executable package:

$ mkdir My3DGadget
$ cd My3DGadget
$ swift package init --type executable

4. Add SwiftSCAD as a dependency for your package in Package.swift:

let package = Package(
    name: "My3DGadget",
    platforms: [.macOS(.v14)], // Needed on macOS
    dependencies: [
        .package(url: "https://github.com/tomasf/SwiftSCAD.git", from: "0.7.0"),
    ],
    targets: [
        .executableTarget(name: "My3DGadget", dependencies: ["SwiftSCAD"])
    ]
)

5. Use SwiftSCAD

In main.swift, import SwiftSCAD, create geometry and save it:

import SwiftSCAD

Box([10, 10, 5])
    .subtracting {
        Sphere(diameter: 10)
            .translated(z: 5)
    }
    .save(to: "gadget.scad")

Run your code using swift run (or using Xcode/VS Code) to generate the .scad file. By default, the files are saved to the current working directory. The full path will be printed in the console.

Open it in OpenSCAD to preview your model. For the best experience, hide the editor view using View > Hide Editor and enable Design > Automatic Reload and Preview. With this in place, OpenSCAD will reload automatically every time you run your code after making changes to the model.

Libraries

• Helical - A SwiftSCAD library providing customizable threads, screws, bolts, nuts and related parts.
• RichText - TextKit-based companion library for SwiftSCAD (macOS only)

Projects using SwiftSCAD

• Coffee scoop
• Trash Can Dice Game

Examples

Rotated box

Box([10, 20, 5])
    .aligned(at: .centerY)
    .rotated(y: -20°, z: 45°)
    .save(to: "~/Desktop/examples/example1.scad")

Extruded star with subtraction

Circle(diameter: 10)
    .withFacets(count: 3)
    .translated(x: 2)
    .scaled(x: 2)
    .repeated(in: 0°..<360°, count: 5)
    .rounded(amount: 1)
    .extruded(height: 5, twist: -20°)
    .subtracting {
        Cylinder(bottomDiameter: 1, topDiameter: 5, height: 20)
            .translated(y: 2, z: -7)
            .rotated(x: 20°)
            .highlighted()
    }
    .save(to: "example2.scad")

Reusable star shape

struct Star: Shape2D {
    let pointCount: Int
    let radius: Double
    let pointRadius: Double
    let centerSize: Double

    var body: any Geometry2D {
        Circle(diameter: centerSize)
        .adding {
            Circle(radius: max(pointRadius, 0.001))
                .translated(x: radius)
        }
        .convexHull()
        .repeated(in: 0°..<360°, count: pointCount)
    }
}

Star(pointCount: 5, radius: 10, pointRadius: 1, centerSize: 4)
    .adding {
        Star(pointCount: 6, radius: 8, pointRadius: 0, centerSize: 2)
            .translated(x: 20)
    }
    .save(to: "example3.scad")

Extruding along a Bezier path

let path = BezierPath2D(startPoint: .zero)
    .addingCubicCurve(controlPoint1: [10, 65], controlPoint2: [55, -20], end: [60, 40])

Star(pointCount: 5, radius: 10, pointRadius: 1, centerSize: 4)
    .usingDefaultFacets()
    .extruded(along: path, convexity: 4)
    .usingFacets(minAngle: 5°, minSize: 1)
    .save(to: "example4.scad")