b3dkit¶

Utilities for build123d parts that have to be printed and assembled: splitting parts too big for the bed, snapping them together, fastening them, and venting them.

All linear dimensions are in millimeters and all angles are in degrees, matching build123d.

Installation¶

pip install b3dkit

Requires Python 3.11+ and build123d 0.11+. To run the __main__ demo in each module, which previews parts in VS Code, install the viewer extra:

pip install b3dkit[viewer]

What's in it¶


dovetail	Splits a `Part` into two that slide together with tight tolerances, for parts larger than your build volume. Includes a "snugtail" style suited to 3D printing, which wraps three sides for a large friction and glue surface.
click_fit	A tapered divot that prints and assembles better than a half sphere, letting parts click into place.
twist_snap	A connector and socket that lock with a twist, for joints meant to be opened repeatedly.
ball_socket	A ball mount and matching socket.
bolt_fittings	Bolt holes, countersinks, nut traps and heat-set insert recesses, sized for M3 by default.
hexwall	A honeycomb of hexagonal holes, flat or wrapped around a cone or cylinder, for venting and lightening.
basic_shapes	Rounded, polygonal, diamond and teardrop cylinders, plus the trigonometry helpers that place them.
antichamfer	Extends a face outward with a taper, like a foot or flat crown moulding.
slide_box, high_top_slide_box	Boxes with sliding lids.
Point	A lightweight 2D point with the geometry helpers the rest of the library needs.

Example¶

from build123d import Align, Box, BuildPart, Mode
from b3dkit import DovetailStyle, Point, dovetail_split

with BuildPart(mode=Mode.PRIVATE) as oversized:
    Box(50, 40, 50, align=(Align.CENTER, Align.CENTER, Align.MIN))

# split it into a mating pair that fits the bed
tail, socket = dovetail_split(
    oversized.part,
    Point(0, -20),
    Point(0, 20),
    style=DovetailStyle.SNUGTAIL,
)

Documentation¶

Full documentation, including a generated API reference, is at b3dkit.readthedocs.io.

Contributing¶

Pull requests are welcome. For major changes, please open an issue first to discuss what you would like to change.

History¶

b3dkit began as fb-library, a way to isolate common utilities from Fender-Bender. It outgrew that project, and was renamed during a rewrite that reworked names and usage to feel closer to native build123d.

License¶

Licensed under the terms of the MIT license.