Installing OpenSCAD

I wanted to document the process to install OpenSCAD on my Linux laptop.

Ideally, all I should have to do to install OpenSCAD is type

sudo apt-get install openscad

at the prompt.  However, when I did that, I got an error message that the libcgal8 part could not be found.  I found an internet page that explains how to installed libcgal8.  I tried the easy part of simply running

sudo apt-get install libcgal8

That did not work either.  It said something about missing files.

The web page above said to make sure that the multiverse repository is enabled.  Here is a page that talks about adding repositories to the sources.list file.  I edited the /etc/apt/sources.list file and added the last two lines shown below in green.

## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu## team. Also, please note that software in universe WILL NOT receive any## review or updates from the Ubuntu security team.deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise universedeb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates universe## 19 Jan 2014.  Added multiverse lines.  ksb.deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise multiversedeb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates multiverse

Next, I executed

sudo apt-get update

A number of things were installed.  So, it must be looking at the multiverse repository now.  The next command to run was 

sudo apt-get install libcgal8

This time, it worked.  Just to keep things tidy, I ran 

sudo apt-get autoremove

Six programs were removed.  Finally, I executed

sudo apt-get install openscad

This worked as well.  

Phew!  That was too much work.  On a side note, I never would have been able to do this 10 years ago.  Linux and its documentation have really matured.  I wonder if I could have done all this through the GUI...

Here is the "hello world" drawing in open scad.  OpenSCAD works as well.  PTL!

I tried opening my dxf file using the command Pete Prodehl, self-proclaimed expert, shared with me 

linear_extrude(height = 10, center = true) import("./Things/ToolHolder.dxf");

but it did not work.  Well, at least it did not display anything.  I did not get any errors.  I'll have to make sure the dxf file is in the correct format and try again.  Progress is progress.

Learning CAD and Trying to 3D Print

I made it back up to the Milwaukee Makerspace after two weeks.  I worked on projects at home last week.  Today, I wanted to do some 3D printing.  I started off trying to print a base for a raspberry pi.  The work kept getting messed up before the raft was finished.  I think the print bed needs to be resurfaced.

I gave up after an hour and started printing chess pieces for the wobbly chess set instead.  The print run will probably take over six hours to complete. Unfortunately, I could not stay at the space until 2am, so I left the machine printing.  I hope if completes.

While the printer was running, I decided to try making a very simple CAD drawing.  At the Makerspace, we have tool holders that are not ideal for the smaller screwdrivers we have in the electronics lab.  I thought I would make a simple rectangle piece that was solid except for holes for the screwdrivers.

I created the drawing in LibreCad and saved it as a DXF file.  Next, I tried to figure out how to convert a DXF file to STL.  Google Sketchup will supposedly do the conversion but only if you have the Pro version.

I read that Blender will do it so I installed that on my Linux laptop.  However, Blender would not open my DXF file.

That's pretty much as far as I got tonight.  Not very exciting but being a Maker takes a lot of patience and persistence.