Apologies if this is an old question or too basic. I have been looking, but I
have not found an answer.

My issue is, I am using a module to create a somewhat complex object, let's
say a cube with a threaded hole. I then want to use that module multiple
times in a union with a larger object, let's say to add feet to a larger
cube that can accept bolts. My obvious problem is that in the union, the
larger object fills in the threaded hole I carefully created in my module.

I realize that I could fix this by creating and calling separate modules for
the smaller cubes and the threaded holes, but that gets unwieldy quickly as
that module object gets more complex.

Is there a way to preserve critical "empty space" in an object created by a
module, even when embedded in another object?

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Small example:
union() {        cube([300,300,300]);              translate([100, 100,
220]) { //only leaves 20mm hole            subpart();        }
}module subpart() {    difference() { //should have 90mm hole
cube([100,100,100]);        translate([50, 50, 10]) {
cylinder(r=10, h=100);        }    }}

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in theory the following works:

union()
{
difference()
{
cube([300,300,300]);
position() hull () subpart();
}
position() subpart();
}

module position()
{
translate([100,100,220]) children(0);
}

module subpart()
{
difference()
{
cube([100,100,100]);
translate([50, 50, 10]) cylinder(r=10, h=100);
}
}

in practice it is probably a bit expensive and it could lead to non-manifold
models

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Yes, that is the thought. Would be nice!

Thanks,
Jerry E

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Thanks.

I guess I have confirmed I am not missing something simple, and I found
Jeremie Francois' Part 4 tutorial on children which gives an example
addressing this issue:
http://www.tridimake.com/2014/11/how-to-use-openscad-4-children-and.html

To me that helps minimize the pain, but it is complicated and doesn't fix
the underlying issue. I guess I will get used to working around it.

Thanks,
Jerry E

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(humor)

We just need a way to specify the material for each part.

Then you can simply use:
cylinder(r=1,h=100,material=antimatter);

(/humor)

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Now that's funny, but I think it might work! :-)

-Jerry E

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hi,

i'm trying to 3d print a heart symbol.  i'm using write.scad.

i've tried unicode 2665 and cut-and-pasting a heart symbol.  neither
work; the space where the heart should go remains blank.

i'm sure the problem is that the heart symbol is not defined in
"letters.dxf".  i've found other .dxf files but none seem to have a
heart symbol defined.

i did find a bracelet with hearts on thingiverse, but sadly, only the
.stl files are downloadable.

anybody have any ideas?  i appreciate all comments!

thanks
-y-