Tag Maker (OpenSCAD)

Features

• Set the size and shape of your tag.
• If you want a hole, choose the location (top, bottom, left, right), set the size and slit opening.
• Add up to 3 lines of text.

Creative Ideas

• Make it round and big for a coaster.
• Make it rectangular for a set of cable tags.
• Make personalized key chains.
• Use fonts with design characters to liven it up. (Symbol, Wingdings, etc.)

Usage Notes

The Tag

The tag’s shape is set by the length, width, and corner rounding.

• Make a round tag by setting the length and width the same and corner rounding set to half of that.
• Make an oval tag by setting length and width different and corner rounding a fraction of the shorter side.

The Hole

The hole is set by the location, size, and cutout percentage.

• You may choose where to make the hole (top, bottom, left, right).
• The hole will be centered on the selected side and indented by half of its size.
• To make no hole, set the size to zero.
• If you are using a chain or cable that has at least one open end, you may set the size slightly bigger than the chain.
• If the chain or cable has connectors on both ends, you will likely want a slit/cutout so you can slide on the tag. 
  • The cutout is a percentage of the hole diameter; very small will remain attached better but may be harder to install.
  • You should also consider the thickness of the tag as thinner will twist out of the way easier for installing.

The Text

Note: OpenSCAD does not do pictures, only text. But some fonts contain character sized drawings that may be used.

• Each line of text will be centered both vertically and horizontally.
• The total available space for the text runs from edge to edge and hole to edge.
• Multiple lines will be evenly split in the vertical space. For example for 3 lines, each will get 1/4 of the total space.
• Depending on your printer settings, I recommend font sizes no smaller the 4. I also recommend bold if available as small thin lines may not be generated by your slicer. During slicing, check each layer carefully for dropouts.
• Text height may be positive or negative.
  • Raised looks nice with two color contrast.
  • Use negative for a cutout look. (Which could be two color also. Although, a different direction of the top layers may be enough contrast.)
  • Use a negative value greater than the tag height to cut all the way through (just remember free standing parts of a character will disappear unless you use stencil).

Using OpenSCAD and the Customizer

If you are new to using OpenSCAD and changing parameters, I’ve included my tutorial that may help.

I’ve included my settings so you can see examples of my tags. If you want to use it, here’s the steps:

• The settings file is a “.json” file (as required by OpenSCAD).
• Prusa does not allow this type of file to be uploaded.
• I have added “.txt” to the end to make it a text file for upload.
• You need to rename it by deleting “.txt” from the end. (You safely may ignore any warning about making the file unusable.)
• Place it in the same folder that you put the tag maker .scad file.