The BRL-CAD package is a powerful Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) solid modeling system with over 20 years development and production use by the U.S. military.
BRL-CAD includes an interactive 3D solid geometry editor, a network-distributed symmetric multiprocessing high-performance ray-tracer, network-distributed framebuffer support, image and signal-processing tools, ray-tracing support for rendering and geometric analysis, path-tracing and photon mapping support for realistic image synthesis, animation capabilities, ray-tracing and numerical processing libraries, a system performance analysis benchmark suite, an embedded scripting interface, and a robust high-performance geometric representation and analysis library.
The solid modeling system is frequently used in a wide range of military and industrial application including in the design and analysis of vehicles, mechanical parts, and architecture.
The package has also been used in radiation dose planning, medical visualization, computer graphics education, CSG concepts and modeling education, and system performance benchmark testing among other purposes.
BRL-CAD includes a number of projects:
- Geometry Modeling Kernel provides fundamental geometric representation, ray-trace analysis, and geometric processing capabilities via a high-performance procedural C
API designed for multithreaded processing and fast ray-intersection evaluation. - Network Package Library implements a client-server network connection that multiplexes synchronous and asynchronous messages across stream connections.
- Multiple-device Geometry EDitor (MGED) is an interactive solid modeler that provides a graphical user interface as well as a robust text-based command interface.
- Archer is a GUI-based solid model viewer and editing tool.
- The Advanced Distributed Ray-Tracer (ADRT) includes a high performance triangle intersection engine (libtie), a real-time ray-tracer (ISST), and a path-tracer for realistic image synthesis (RISE).
- The BRL-CAD Benchmark Suite is a system performance analysis benchmark that tests the performance of a given system’s CPU, memory, cache coherency, kernel context switching, and compiler optimization capabilities.
- Image Processing Tools support several common formats including PNG, RLE, PPM, PS, and SUN images as well as a variety of image processing tools that work on raw image data.
- Signal processing utilities manipulate raw data streams according to specified criteria. These manipulations include data conversion and filtering capabilities as well as various transformations including discrete and non-discrete Fast Fourier transforms (FFT) and wavelet decomposition.
- Geometry converters: Exporters include DXF, EUCLID, NFF, OBJ, STL, TANKILL, VRML, X3D, and OpenGL vertex array buffers. Importers include CY, DXF, ENF, EUCLID, FAST4, NASTRAN, PLY, STL, TANKILL, and VIEWPOINT.
- New geometry converter for the United Kingdom’s INTAVAL format from Her Majesty’s Ministry of Defence.
- A variety of ray-racers for analyzing geometry for visualization or geometric purposes.
Website: brlcad.org
Support: Wiki
Developer: BRL-CAD Team
License: BSD License, GPL License, or Lesser GPL License
BRL-CAD is written in C and C++. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Return to CAD | Return to Ray Tracing
Popular series | |
---|---|
The largest compilation of the best free and open source software in the universe. Each article is supplied with a legendary ratings chart helping you to make informed decisions. | |
Hundreds of in-depth reviews offering our unbiased and expert opinion on software. We offer helpful and impartial information. | |
The Big List of Active Linux Distros is a large compilation of actively developed Linux distributions. | |
Replace proprietary software with open source alternatives: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Autodesk, Oracle, Atlassian, Corel, Cisco, Intuit, and SAS. | |
Awesome Free Linux Games Tools showcases a series of tools that making gaming on Linux a more pleasurable experience. This is a new series. | |
Machine Learning explores practical applications of machine learning and deep learning from a Linux perspective. We've written reviews of more than 40 self-hosted apps. All are free and open source. | |
New to Linux? Read our Linux for Starters series. We start right at the basics and teach you everything you need to know to get started with Linux. | |
Alternatives to popular CLI tools showcases essential tools that are modern replacements for core Linux utilities. | |
Essential Linux system tools focuses on small, indispensable utilities, useful for system administrators as well as regular users. | |
Linux utilities to maximise your productivity. Small, indispensable tools, useful for anyone running a Linux machine. | |
Surveys popular streaming services from a Linux perspective: Amazon Music Unlimited, Myuzi, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal. | |
Saving Money with Linux looks at how you can reduce your energy bills running Linux. | |
Home computers became commonplace in the 1980s. Emulate home computers including the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, ZX81, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. | |
Now and Then examines how promising open source software fared over the years. It can be a bumpy ride. | |
Linux at Home looks at a range of home activities where Linux can play its part, making the most of our time at home, keeping active and engaged. | |
Linux Candy reveals the lighter side of Linux. Have some fun and escape from the daily drudgery. | |
Getting Started with Docker helps you master Docker, a set of platform as a service products that delivers software in packages called containers. | |
Best Free Android Apps. We showcase free Android apps that are definitely worth downloading. There's a strict eligibility criteria for inclusion in this series. | |
These best free books accelerate your learning of every programming language. Learn a new language today! | |
These free tutorials offer the perfect tonic to our free programming books series. | |
Linux Around The World showcases usergroups that are relevant to Linux enthusiasts. Great ways to meet up with fellow enthusiasts. | |
Stars and Stripes is an occasional series looking at the impact of Linux in the USA. |