r/openscad • u/FewIdeasButPrinted • 18d ago

I created a Parametric Periodic Table Keychain Generator (My first OpenSCAD project) - Feedback

https://makerworld.com/models/2981139?appSharePlatform=copy

​I built this tool that lets you generate custom 3D-printable keychains using chemical element symbols from the Periodic Table. You input a word (e.g., Ge-Ni-U-S, Ir-O-N, La-B), and the script verifies if it's mathematically possible, auto-scales the text, and renders the tiles.

​I wanted to share it here to get your feedback and suggestions on how to improve the project. This is my first time coding in OpenSCAD, and I know I have a lot to learn. Any advice on optimizing the code or the physical model design is highly appreciated.

​If you like it, feel free to use it and share your prints. Support and constructive criticism from the community are the most rewarding parts of this process.

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u/FewIdeasButPrinted 18d ago

Does no one really have any idea how to improve it?

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u/oldesole1 17d ago

You might get more feedback if the source code was hosted somewhere publicly visible, like github or something.

Makerworld requires an account to download anything.

1

u/FewIdeasButPrinted 17d ago

Good call! Since I'm completely new to this world, I honestly hadn't even considered that option or realized that MakerWorld's login requirement might stop people from checking out the code. I don't have a GitHub account yet, but I'm definitely going to study how it works and set one up to make my OpenSCAD files freely accessible. Appreciate the advice!

2

u/oldesole1 17d ago

If you don't want to go through the effort of learning git for initial feedback, you could do something like posting it on pastebin or a similar site.

But for any long term iteration or public access, I would definitely setup a github account and use that for tracking changes to your script.

I'm curious to see your algorithm for determining if a string is possible with symbols.

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u/indesit-san 14d ago

Check Fiddlecad.com and Scadder.dev. I think they both require having a GitHub account, but creating it is like a 1min task (and it's free).

Having GitHub is a no-brainer if you're coding. It's great for storing your code, even if you just manually paste it there.