Utilities#

Utility functions operate on Shape objects to create patterns, offsets, or composite forms.

• grid
• ring
• hollow
• hull
• hull_chain
• expand

grid#

grid(shape, nx, ny, dx, dy) — Creates a rectangular grid of copies.

const peg  = cylinder(3, 8);
const result = grid(peg, 4, 3, 15, 15);   // 4 columns, 3 rows, 15mm spacing

ring#

ring(shape, n, radius) — Arranges copies of a shape in a circle.

const peg    = cylinder(3, 10);
const result = ring(peg, 8, 30);   // 8 copies on a 30mm radius circle

hollow#

hollow(shape, thickness) — Makes a shell by subtracting an inward-offset copy.

const result = hollow(sphere(20), 2);   // 2mm wall thickness

hull#

hull(...shapes) — Returns the convex hull enclosing all given shapes.

const result = hull(
    sphere(5).translate([-20, 0, 0]),
    sphere(5).translate([ 20, 0, 0]),
    sphere(5).translate([  0, 0,20]),
);

hull_chain#

hull_chain(...shapes) — Creates a smooth bridge between consecutive pairs of shapes (loft-like).

const result = hull_chain(
    cylinder(8, 1).translate([0, 0,  0]),
    cylinder(4, 1).translate([0, 0, 10]),
    cylinder(8, 1).translate([0, 0, 20]),
);

expand#

expand(shape, offset, segs) — Inflates a shape by offset mm (positive = grow, negative = shrink).

const result = expand(box(20, 20, 5), 2);    // rounded outer shell