I have just released version 0.9.11 of Shed Skin, a restricted-Python-to-C++ compiler. Most importantly, it adds support for Python 3.14. It also adds support for many 3.x features that were not yet implemented, in addition to basic support for the base64 module. It also optimizes a few more common code patterns. Paul Boddie was able to add support for libpcre2, and in the process updated conan to…
I have just released version 0.9.9 of Shed Skin, a restricted-Python-to-C++ compiler. It comes with many changes under the hood to improve the code base. For example, Shakeeb has started adding type annotations to Shed Skin itself, whereas I have fixed many C++ compiler warnings. We have also replaced the old CPython-based dict and set implementations with STL unordered_map and unordered_set.…
I have a weird bucket list. One remaining item was to create a full-size, playable Othello board, with ridges to avoid discs from moving around. I finally decided to try and mimic an existing board. The result looks pretty close to the original: Unfortunately I was unable to figure out how to create smooth (and yet flat) discs, but they are at least quite playable. Suggestions for improvements are…
I have just released version 0.9.7 of Shed Skin , a restricted-Python-to-C++ compiler. The highlight of this release is native Windows support, by moving to CMake (and Conan). Shakeeb Alireza came up with this idea and did most of the implementation. So to build something on Windows, one doesn't need a weird emulation layer like MingW anymore, just Visual Studio build tools, CMake and Conan…
For the longest time, I've wanted to re-implement the original DOOM engine in Python, and compile it with Shedskin to get reasonable performance. So when I finally ran across a pretty small engine written in Java , by Leonardo Ono, I decided to convert his version to Python. I left out some optimizations (most notably "visplanes"), for readability and in order to keep everything under 1000 lines…
I recently decided to sit down and finally port Shed Skin , an experimental restricted-Python-to-C++ compiler in the works since 2005 or so, to Python3. Three painful months and a total diff of 50k lines later, everything now works with Python3 (Shed Skin itself, and all tests and examples..) This does not mean that every Python3 feature is supported, but what was there now at least works fine…
The initial excitement of owning a wireless headset such as the Oculus Quest is quickly followed by disappointment in the size of one's living room. Unfurtunately there does not seem to be a solution to the problem of not being able to move around by more than a few meters without using the controllers in an awkward manner, or a satisfactory solution to me at least. For example, I really feel like…
The original Sonobe modular origami unit is almost like a "lego block" for origami structures, but falls short in that the result is often not very rigid and/or falls apart without using adhesives. My previously published unit, called IMORU1, utilizes interlocking hooks to work around this problem. It works a lot better, but after playing with it further for a while, I realized it also has two…
I recently built a Prusa MK2 + MMU (multi-material upgrade), using only PLA parts printed on my T3P3 delta printer. I wasn't entirely sure PLA was going to work for the extruder parts, as the parts that come with the kit are printed in ABS. After more than 100 hours of printing with it, I think it's safe to say that this works just fine, at least when printing with PLA (at around 200 degrees…
About two years ago, I published a precise 3d-model for the SNES controller on Thingiverse . Not long after this, when reading about the PCB Cyclone, a 3d-printed milling machine targeted towards PCB creation, I decided to build it at some point to be able to recreate the electronics (in style, that is..) It took me a while to get the milling machine to work. More specifically, I couldn't get the…
I've always had issues with consuming animal products, for ethical reasons, but passively assumed that they were necessary for health, or that it would be complicated to meet my nutritional needs without consuming them. So when I became convinced, about a year ago, that it is not necessary (or even healthy), and actually very simple to meet your nutritional needs as a vegan, becoming a vegan was…
It took me a quite some effort to be able to print more or less reliably with ABS on my previous printer. When faced with another such exercise for my new Kossel Mini build, I quickly decided to investigate the current state of PLA filament again (not being very impressed before). I quickly came across Polymax , a type of PLA which in fact behaves very much like ABS. But being PLA, it doesn't have…
After messing with ABS for a long time, I finally decided to switch back to using PLA. But more about this in an upcoming blog post. My first project using PLA again was to print the outside of a gameboy, to go with a wonderful gameboy kit from Adafruit . I bought this kit on an impulse, and while building it was a nice experience and I still like it a lot, I thought I would write down some minor…
After polishing an ABS print for a weekend, I decided there should be a faster method than polishing with ever finer grit by hand.. (For more information about this polishing job and model, please see here ) So when cold acetone vapor techniques came around, I decided to give it a try. Turns out that for delicate/mechanical models you really don't want them in the vapor for too long, which means…
I more or less finished my Kossel Mini build, and after some easy calibration steps (just following along with the think3dprint3d documentation), I am already amazed with the printing quality that I'm getting. I was never able to get really uniform z layer heights on my Mendel Max , but for delta printers this does not seem much of a problem. A colleague helped me to make a close-up photo of a…
I just finished printing the plastic parts for my new 3d printer, a Kossel Mini, to be built from a very nice kit sold at think3dprint3d.com . Some issues I ran into so far: -the extruder motor spacer was missing (quickly added by think3dprint3d) -the legs on the LCD panel were a bit long and would only fit when heightening the printer considerably (quickly fixed by think3dprint3d, awesome!) -the…
Random postings about 3d printing, UNIX, open source software and Python programming.