Boolean Operations

Boolean operations combine multiple solids using constructive solid geometry (CSG).

union

Combine multiple objects into one. The result contains all volume from all inputs.

Syntax:

Python

union(obj1, obj2, ..., r=None, fn=None)
obj1 | obj2

Parameters:

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
`obj1, obj2, ...`	solids	—	Objects to combine
`r`	float	—	Fillet radius for newly created edges (PythonSCAD extension)
`fn`	int	—	Number of segments for fillet rounding (PythonSCAD extension)

PythonSCAD extensions:

Specifying r and fn adds rounded fillets to the edges created by the union:

Python

from openscad import *

union(cube(10), sphere(7).right(5), r=1, fn=10).show()

Examples:

Python

from openscad import *

union(cube(10), sphere(7)).show()

# Operator form
(cube(10) | sphere(7)).show()

OpenSCAD reference: union

difference

Subtract one or more objects from the first object.

Syntax:

Python

difference(obj1, obj2, ..., r=None, fn=None)
obj1 - obj2

Parameters:

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
`obj1`	solid	—	Base object
`obj2, ...`	solids	—	Objects to subtract
`r`	float	—	Fillet radius for newly created edges (PythonSCAD extension)
`fn`	int	—	Number of segments for fillet rounding (PythonSCAD extension)

Examples:

Python

from openscad import *

difference(cube(10), sphere(7)).show()

# Operator form
(cube(10) - sphere(7)).show()

# With filleted edges
difference(cube(10), cylinder(r=4, h=12, center=True), r=0.5, fn=8).show()

OpenSCAD reference: difference

intersection

Keep only the volume that is common to all input objects.

Syntax:

Python

intersection(obj1, obj2, ...)
obj1 & obj2

Parameters:

Parameter	Type	Description
`obj1, obj2, ...`	solids	Objects to intersect

Examples:

Python

from openscad import *

intersection(cube(10), sphere(7)).show()

# Operator form
(cube(10) & sphere(7)).show()

OpenSCAD reference: intersection

hull

Create the convex hull of multiple objects. The result is the smallest convex solid that contains all input objects.

Syntax:

Python

hull(obj1, obj2, ...)
obj1 ^ obj2

Parameters:

Parameter	Type	Description
`obj1, obj2, ...`	solids	Objects to hull

Examples:

Python

from openscad import *

hull(cube(3), sphere(2).right(10)).show()

# Operator form
(cube(3) ^ sphere(2).right(10)).show()

OpenSCAD reference: hull

fill

Fill concavities in a 2D shape, creating a convex outline.

Syntax:

Python

fill(obj1, obj2, ...)

Parameters:

Parameter	Type	Description
`obj1, obj2, ...`	2D solids	Shapes to fill

Examples:

Python

from openscad import *

fill(polygon([[0,0], [10,0], [5,3], [10,10], [0,10]])).show()

minkowski

Compute the Minkowski sum of two objects. Conceptually, this "traces" one object around the surface of the other, useful for rounding edges.

Syntax:

Python

minkowski(obj1, obj2, convexity=2)
obj1 % obj2

Parameters:

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
`obj1`	solid	—	Base object
`obj2`	solid	—	Object to trace around `obj1`
`convexity`	int	`2`	Convexity for rendering

Examples:

Python

from openscad import *

# Round the edges of a cube
minkowski(cube(10), sphere(1)).show()

# Operator form
(cube(10) % sphere(1)).show()

OpenSCAD reference: minkowski

concat

Concatenate the meshes of multiple objects without performing boolean operations. This is useful when sub-parts are not yet watertight and CSG would fail.

Syntax:

Python

concat(obj1, obj2, ...)

Parameters:

Parameter	Type	Description
`obj1, obj2, ...`	solids or lists	Objects to concatenate

Examples:

Python

from openscad import *

alltogether = concat(part1, part2, part3)
alltogether.show()