Volume I – Overview and Installation
Since 1979, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory has been developing and
distributing the BRL-CAD constructive solid geometry (CSG) modeling package
for a wide range of military and industrial applications. The package includes a
large collection of tools and utilities including an interactive geometry editor,
raytracing and generic framebuffer libraries, a network-distributed image-
processing and signal-processing capability, and an embedded scripting
language.
As part of this effort, a multivolume tutorial series is being developed to assist
users in the many features of the BRL-CAD package. The “Overview and
Installation” guide, which is the first volume in the series, addresses the
background, purpose, and strengths of the package; the libraries and utilities
included within it; platform-specific installation instructions; and information
about bugs and updates. Other volumes focus on advanced features, individual
utilities, and programming.
Volume II – Introduction to MGED
As part of this effort, a multivolume tutorial series is being developed to assist users in
the many features of the BRL-CAD package. The “Introduction to MGED,” which is the
second volume in the series, is intended to provide new users with a basic understanding
of the Multi-Device Geometry Editor (MGED), which is the heart of BRL-CAD. Other
volumes focus on installation procedures, advanced features, and programming.
Volume III – Principles of Effective Modeling
As part of this effort, a multivolume tutorial series is being developed to assist users in the many features of the BRL-CAD
package. “Principles of Effective Modeling,” which is the third volume in the series, addresses the modeling process and
suggests principles and techniques for maximizing BRL-CAD’s capabilities. Other volumes focus on package installation and
specific features and utilities within the software package.
Volume IV – Converting Geometry Between BRL-CAD
and Other Formats
As part of this effort, a multivolume tutorial series is being developed to assist users in the many features of the BRL-CAD
package. “Converting Geometry Between BRL-CAD and Other Formats,” which is the fourth volume in the series, discusses
pertinent characteristics of the BRL-CAD file format and provides specific instruction on converting to/from various other
modeling file formats. Also discussed are the steps involved in creating a new BRL-CAD converter and postconversion issues.
