Difference between revisions of "Google Summer of Code/Project Ideas"

From BRL-CAD
(Collaborative Projects: rename Ayam integration project)
(Performance & Quality)
(141 intermediate revisions by 29 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
The projects below should serve as a good starting point for new developers that would like to work on BRL-CAD. The ideas range from very hard and math intense to very easy. Each idea links to a page with more details.
+
If you want to work on '''computer-aided design (CAD), geometry, or graphics''', you've come to the right place! Help us improve open source CAD.
  
You are welcome to scale the scope of the project up or down as needed as the ideas suggested below ''are merely starting points''.  There are also several [http://brlcad.org/~sean/ideas.html other areas] of development that are of high-interest in addition to those below.
+
Well prepared proposals from capable students have an ''outstanding'' chance of getting selected.  We consider proposals for all skill levels ranging from simple to crazy hard and everything in between.  [https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/brlcad-devel Introduce yourself], and we'll help you plan one right for you.
  
{|align="right"
+
Remember that project descriptions are just ''initial ideas''.  You must expand with [[Summer_of_Code/Application_Guidelines|considerably more detail]].  Change the goals to fit your experience and interests.  See our '''[[Summer_of_Code/Checklist|checklist]]''' to get started.
  |[[Image:BRL-CAD_Priorities.png|thumb|left|256px|BRL-CAD Priorities]]
+
 
 +
This year, BRL-CAD is coordinating with five other communities that will get 1-2 students each to help bridge our work and encourage collaboration.  Projects that help exchange data or share code are desired!
 +
 
 +
{|-
 +
|align="center" width="15%"|[http://brlcad.org/w/index.php?title=Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#BRL-CAD_Projects http://brlcad.org/images/logo/cutout_sticker_256.png]
 +
  |align="center" width="15%"|[http://brlcad.org/w/index.php?title=Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#OpenSCAD_Projects http://www.openscad.org/assets/img/logo.png]
 +
|align="center" width="15%"|[http://brlcad.org/w/index.php?title=Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#LibreCAD_Projects http://librecad.org/files/live/sites/lc/files/WebImages/LogoLibrecad_logo.png]
 +
|-
 +
|align="center"|'''BRL-CAD''': 3D solid modeling, geometry processing, and robust high-performance ray tracing.  Help us make a better CAD system.
 +
|align="center"|'''OpenSCAD''': rich syntax, programmable geometry.  Lots of possibilities to make it interoperate with BRL-CAD and LibreCAD.
 +
|align="center"|'''LibreCAD''': specializes in 2D CAD modeling, drafting, drawings.  Help build a bridge to BRL-CAD or add STEP support.
 +
|-
 +
|align="center" width="15%"|[http://brlcad.org/w/index.php?title=Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#STEPcode_Projects http://stepcode.org/STEPcode_logo_gears_light.png]
 +
|align="center" width="15%"|[http://brlcad.org/w/index.php?title=Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Slic3r_Projects https://raw.githubusercontent.com/alexrj/Slic3r/master/var/Slic3r_128px.png]
 +
|align="center" width="15%"|[http://brlcad.org/w/index.php?title=Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#FreeCAD_Projects http://www.freecadweb.org/images/logo.png]
 +
|-
 +
|align="center"|'''STEPcode''': file format on steroids, STEP is a complex standard for geometry used by nearly every pro CAD system.
 +
|align="center"|'''Slic3r''': toolpath/G-code generator for 3D printers.
 +
|align="center"|'''FreeCAD''': parametric 3D modelling with strong Python interface and general engineering functionality like FEM and CAM
 
  |}
 
  |}
  
Be sure to read up on our [[Summer_of_Code/Application_Guidelines|application process]] for getting started with your proposal submission if you have not done so already including our [[Summer_of_Code/Checklist|checklist]].
+
'''Project titles link to a page with more details.'''
  
= Project Categories =
+
= BRL-CAD Projects =
 +
== High Priority Topics ==
  
== Web Development Projects ==
+
{| bgcolor=#fff width=100%
 +
!
 +
!align=center|Languages
 +
!align=center|Difficulty
 +
!align=center|Contacts
 +
|-
 +
|align=left width=62%|'''[[Convert MGED from Tk to Qt]]:'''  Transition BRL-CAD's graphical applications from the Tk toolkit to the Qt toolkit. 
 +
|align=center|C/C++/Tcl/Qt
 +
|align=center|HARD
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Rossberg, Yapp]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[Annotations]]:'''  Implement support for 2D annotations, labels that can be added to geometry.
 +
|align=center|C/C++
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Yapp]]
 +
|}
  
We have high expectations for web development projects because the developer often does not stick around after development is over.  We're not interested in web code, we're interested in people.  If you're willing to work on your project long after GSoC is over (i.e., joining the project) and are willing to make a long-term commitment to BRL-CAD, then we ''absolutely'' welcome your web development project idea.
+
== Web Development ==
  
{| border=1 bgcolor=#444444
+
{| bgcolor=#fff
!Idea
+
!
!Languages
+
!align=center|Languages
!Impact
+
!align=center|Difficulty
!Difficulty
+
!align=center|Contacts
!Contacts
+
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[Benchmark Performance Database]]:'''  BRL-CAD's Benchmark has been used for two decades to compare performance  across configurations.  Build a database website.
 +
|Depends (likely PHP or Python)
 +
|align=center|EASY
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[Synchronize Wiki with Docbook]]:'''  We use Docbook for most of our user documentation but find editing a wiki page much easier to use.  Set up a system so the two are always in sync.
 +
|Depends (likely PHP or Python)
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Yapp]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[Online Geometry Viewer Interface]]:'''  Continuation of existing work, improve our interface for viewing geometry online.  Focus on the front-end usability.
 +
|Depends (likely PHP or Python)
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Synchronize Wiki with Docbook]]:'''  We use Docbook for most of our user documentation but find editing a wiki page much easier to useSet up a system so the two are always in sync.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Online Geometry Viewer Back-end]]:'''  Continuation of existing work, improve our interface for viewing geometry onlineFocus on the back-end infrastructure.
 
|Depends (likely PHP or Python)
 
|Depends (likely PHP or Python)
|HUGE
+
|align=center|HARD
|MEDIUM
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Browder, Yapp]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Benchmark Performance Database]]:'''  BRL-CAD's Benchmark has been used for two decades to compare performance  across configurationsBuild a database website.  
+
|width=62%|'''[[Mediawiki 3D Geometry Extension]]:'''  Write an extension for Mediawiki that will visualize our .g filesMaybe leverage LLVM C->Javascript translation.  
 
|Depends (likely PHP or Python)
 
|Depends (likely PHP or Python)
|BIG
+
|align=center|HARD
|MEDIUM
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Materials Database]]:'''  Create a Materials Database web site for collecting, managing, and providing programmatic interfaces to material properties.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Materials Database]]:'''  Create a Materials Database web site for collecting, managing, and providing programmatic interfaces to material properties.
 
|Depends (likely PHP or Python)
 
|Depends (likely PHP or Python)
|BIG
+
|align=center|MEDIUM
|MEDIUM
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Yapp]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Yapp]]
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
 +
== Geometry ==
  
== NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines) Projects==
+
{| bgcolor=#fff width=100%
 
+
!
BRL-CAD has recently implemented raytracing support for NURBS-based boundary representation geometry.  It's one of our '''''hot-topic priority focus areas''''' with ''high'' impact and ''high'' visibilityThey are also pretty hard so be careful to have sufficient familiarity and lots of milestones.
+
!align=center|Languages
 
+
!align=center|Difficulty
{| border=1 bgcolor=#444444
+
!align=center|Contacts
!Idea
+
|-
!Languages
+
|align=left width=62%|'''[[NURBS Editing Support]]:'''  BRL-CAD doesn't currently have support for editing NURBS primitives.  Fix that.
!Impact
+
|align=center|C/Tcl
!Difficulty
+
|align=center|MEDIUM
!Contacts
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Yapp]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[Overlap tool]]:''' Resolving geometric interferences (aka overlaps) is a common geometry editing activityDesign an awesome GUI for resolving conflicts.
 +
|align=center|Tcl
 +
|align=center|EASY
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Yapp, Morrison, Greenwald]]
 +
|-
 +
|align=left width=62%|'''[[Vector Drawings from NURBS]]:'''  Huge impact here if you can update one or more of our raytracers to provide vector output instead of raster.  Perhaps render directly to PDF or SVG.
 +
|align=center|C and/or C++
 +
|align=center|EASY
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Rossberg]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[NMG Editing]]:'''  Our structured polygonal mesh geometry (N-Manifold Geometry = NMG) is a common export format, but our NMG edit support is non-existent.  We need something.
 +
|align=center|C
 +
|align=center|HARD
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Rossberg]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[Visualizing Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG)]]:'''  CSG forms a directed acyclic graph.  Tree view widgets show a simple hierarchical representation, but we need something better.
 +
|align=center|C/C++
 +
|align=center|EASY
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
 +
|-
 +
|align=left width=62%|'''[[Plate Mode NURBS raytracing]]:''' Imported NURBS geometry often does NOT enclose space (i.e., not solid), so add support for specifying an implicit thickness.
 +
|align=center|C/C++
 +
|align=center|HARD
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[STEP exporter]]:''' We have an importer, we need a comprehensive exporter with support for implicit CSG, NURBS, or polygonal mesh geometry.
 +
|align=center|C/C++
 +
|align=center|EASY
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Yapp, Morrison]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[STEP importer improvements]]:'''  We have an importer, but it's preliminary.  Add support for importing hierarchy information, polygonal geometry, and implicit geometry.
 +
|align=center|C/C++
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Yapp]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[STEP AP 242 Parser]]:'''  We already parse a subset of AP203, but the new kid on the block is AP242Make AP242 work with BRL-CAD's step-g importer.
 +
|align=center|C++
 +
|align=center|HARD
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Mark, Charlie, Yapp, Kamga]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[Convert BoT to Pipe]]:'''  Command line interface to convert facetted fluid/electrical line geometry into BRL-CAD native pipe solids.
 +
|align=center|C/C++/Tcl
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[IGES import improvements]]:'''  We have extensive support for the International Geometry Exchange Standard (IGES) with our g-iges and iges-g converters, but they need updating.
 +
|align=center|C
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[Geometry Conversion Library]]:'''  Probably our biggest open source asset is our extensive collection of importers and exporters.  Turn them all into a universal conversion library.
 +
|align=center|C/C++
 +
|align=center|EASY
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Greenwald, Morrison, Rossberg]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[COLLADA Importer]]:'''  Create an importer for the COLLADA file format.
 +
|align=center|C/C++
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[X3D Importer]]:'''  Create an importer for the X3D file format.
 +
|align=center|C/C++
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Kamga]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[OpenSCAD Importer]]:'''  Create an importer for OpenSCAD's format.
 +
|align=center|C/C++
 +
|align=center|EASY
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[NURBS Intersections]]:'''  Evaluate the intersection of two NURBS surfaces.  You'll get a 3D curve or a point, line segment, or even a plane depending how the surfaces overlap.
+
|width=62%|'''[[OpenSCAD Exporter]]:'''  Create an exporter for OpenSCAD's format.
|C/C++
+
|align=center|C/C++
|HUGE
+
|align=center|EASY
|HARD
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Davisson, Yapp, Bowman, Rossberg]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Plate Mode NURBS raytracing]]:'''  Imported NURBS geometry often does NOT enclose space (i.e., not solid), so add support for specifying an implicit thickness.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Python Geometry]]:'''  Wrap BRL-CAD's primitives in Python, make it easier to script geometry creation.  
|C/C++
+
|align=center|Python
|HUGE
+
|align=center|Easy
|HARD
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Davisson, Morrison, Bowman]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[NURBS Optimization and Cleanup]]:'''  We have a fantastic implementation of NURBS evaluation but haven't gone back to clean up or speed it up.  Make it purdy.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Perl Geometry]]:'''  Wrap BRL-CAD's primitives in Perl, make it easier to script geometry creation.  
|C/C++
+
|align=center|Perl
|BIG
+
|align=center|Easy
|MEDIUM
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Browder]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Yapp, Bowman, Morrison]]
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
== Collaborative Projects ==
+
== Performance & Quality ==
  
BRL-CAD utilizes lots of 3rd party dependencies that requires active maintenance and development. These projects aim to improve those dependencies directly so that they not only benefit BRL-CAD, but help improve other projects also using them.
+
{| bgcolor=#fff
 
+
!
{| border=1 bgcolor=#444444
+
!align=center|Languages
!Idea
+
!align=center|Difficulty
!Languages
+
!align=center|Contacts
!Impact
+
|-
!Difficulty
+
|align=left width=62%|'''[[OpenCL GPGPU Raytracing]]:''' We have about a dozen simple primitives that need to have a ray-object intersection function converted from C to OpenCL.
!Contacts
+
|align=center|C/OpenCL
 +
|align=center|EASY
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
 +
|-
 +
|align=left width=62%|'''[[OpenCL GPGPU Complex Raytracing]]:''' We have about half a dozen complex primitives that need to have a ray-object intersection function converted from C to OpenCL.
 +
|align=center|C/OpenCL
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
 +
|-
 +
|align=left width=62%|'''[[OpenCL GPGPU Spatial Partitioning Raytracing]]:''' We use a Bounding Volume Hierarchy (BVH) to reduce the amount of intersections we need to compute to render an image. We need to replace this with a Kd-tree in order to be able to early terminate a render in models with high depth complexity. This should speed up render speed significantly for those models (e.g. Goliath).
 +
|align=center|C/OpenCL
 +
|align=center|HARD
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[STEP Libraries]]:''' We took over NIST's STEP Class Library (SCL) project during our development of a STEP importerSCL has since turned into a larger community collaboration.  The code needs cleanup.
+
|align=left width=62%|'''[[Coherent Raytracing]]:''' Our current raytrace pipeline dispatches and processes one ray at a timeSend bundles and convert the pipeline into phases.  
|C/C++
+
|align=center|C/C++
|HUGE
+
|align=center|MEDIUM
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Rossberg]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Gillich, Yapp]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[NURBS Editing Support]]:'''  The Ayam project has support for NURBS editing, we do notCollaborative reuse would be a good thing.
+
|align=left width=62%|'''[[NURBS Booleans]]:'''  We have NURBS surface-surface intersections working.  Now we're using them to create evaluated forms of our CSG geometryMake it more robust and faster.
|C/Tcl
+
|align=center|C/C++
|BIG
+
|align=center|HARD
|MEDIUM
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Yapp, Rossberg]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Yapp]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[STEP Viewer]]:'''  STEP is a common CAD file format supported by just about every major CAD systemGiven we have an importer and an interface for displaying geometry, a stand-alone STEP file viewer has some great potential.
+
|align=left width=62%|'''[[NURBS Optimization and Cleanup]]:'''  We have a fantastic implementation of NURBS evaluation but haven't gone back to clean up or speed it upMake it pretty and fast.
|C/C++
+
|align=center|C/C++
|HUGE
+
|align=center|MEDIUM
|MEDIUM
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Yapp, Morrison]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Yapp]]
 
|}
 
 
 
== Code Refactoring Projects ==
 
 
 
BRL-CAD has more than a million lines of code so we have to continually refactor and clean up code for maintainability.  Cruft happens.  These projects help reduce the complexity and make things better. They're not very hard at all, but exceedingly valuable to our project vitality.
 
 
 
{| border=1 bgcolor=#444444
 
!Idea
 
!Languages
 
!Impact
 
!Difficulty
 
!Contacts
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Code Reduction]]:'''  BRL-CAD is more than 1M lines of codeApproximately 10% of that is duplicationHelp reduce that percentage.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Fix Bugs]]:'''  We take pride in our breadth of functionality and time-tested stabilityWe still have bugsIdentify some and fix them!
|C
+
|align=center|C
|BIG
+
|align=center|EASY
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Browder]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Hinesley, Greenwald, Morrison, Gillich]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[MGED to Archer Command Migration]]:'''  Our next-generation editor (Archer) needs to have the same (700+) commands that are in MGEDHelp make our next CAD interface awesome.
+
|width=62%|'''[[NMG Raytracing Performance Improvement]]:'''  BRL-CAD's structured mesh geometry (N-Manifold Geometry = NMG) needs some time in a profilerMalloc during raytracing is bad.
|C and Tcl
+
|align=center|C
|HUGE
+
|align=center|HARD
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Greenwald]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Hinesley, Yapp, Browder]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[General Tree Walker]]:'''  We have a half dozen or more functions that will traverse a geometry hierarchy in different ways.  There only needs to be one.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Mesh library cleanup]]:'''  BRL-CAD has an extensive n-manifold polygonal mesh library that needs some refactoring, testing, and optimization rework.
|C
+
|align=center|C
|HUGE
+
|align=center|MEDIUM
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Rossberg]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Greenwald, Yapp, Hinesley, Morrison]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Rework of libbu/libbn to not require Tcl]]:'''  Tcl's '''''C API''''' is used throughout BRL-CAD providing great abstractions, but we want our basic utility and numeric libraries (LIBBU & LIBBN) to stand alone.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Space Partitioning for Tessellation]]:'''  Technically an optimization task, make our geometry converters run an order of magnitude faster by using spatial partitioning during tessellation.
|C
+
|align=center|C
|HUGE
+
|align=center|HARD
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Greenwald, Yapp, Morrison]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Yapp, Greenwald]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Consolidate image processing]]:'''  We have 100+ image processing tools that independently read and write file dataNeeds much reuse love.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Code Reduction]]:'''  BRL-CAD is more than 1M lines of code.  Approximately 10% of that is duplicationHelp reduce that percentage.
|C
+
|align=center|C
|HUGE
+
|align=center|EASY
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Greenwald, Morrison]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Greenwald, Hinesley]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Fix Bugs]]:'''  We take pride in our breadth of functionality and time-tested stabilityWe still have bugs. Identify some and fix 'em!
+
|width=62%|'''[[Header Restructuring]]:'''  BRL-CAD has about two dozen libraries with a single header declaring the entire public APIBreak up those monster headers into modular sub-headers.
|C
+
|align=center|C
|DEPENDS
+
|align=center|EASY
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Greenwald, Morrison]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Browder, Hinesley, Gillich, Weiss]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Mesh library cleanup]]:'''  BRL-CAD has an extensive n-manifold polygonal mesh library that needs some refactoring, testing, and optimization rework.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Faster Overlap Detection]]:'''  BRL-CAD has a 'gqa' tool that detects overlaps.  Implement a replacement using a better approach.
|C
+
|align=center|C
|HUGE
+
|align=center|MEDIUM
|MEDIUM
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Greenwald, Morrison]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Weiss, Browder, Rossberg]]
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
== Graphical User Interface (GUI) Projects ==
+
== Infrastructure ==
  
The primary environment in which users interact with BRL-CAD geometry is the MGED geometry editor.  The "next generation" interface for MGED, dubbed ''Archer'', has been under development for some time but there is a lot of functionality that still needs to be migrated and new features needed by MGED, Archer, or both.
+
{| bgcolor=#fff
 
+
!
{| border=1 bgcolor=#444444
+
!align=center|Languages
!Idea
+
!align=center|Difficulty
!Languages
+
!align=center|Contacts
!Impact
+
|-
!Difficulty
+
|width=62%|'''[[New Cross-Platform 3D Display Manager]]:'''  BRL-CAD uses '''''display managers''''' for visualizing 3D geometry in a window. We want one that uses a cross-platform toolkit such as Qt + OGRE.
!Contacts
+
|align=center|C/C++
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[New Cross-Platform 2D Framebuffer]]:'''  BRL-CAD uses '''''framebuffers''''' to display 2D imagery.  The merits of having a single interface for most platforms is self-evident.
 +
|align=center|C/C++
 +
|align=center|EASY
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Yapp]]
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[New Cross-Platform 3D Display Manager]]:'''  BRL-CAD uses '''''display managers''''' for visualizing 3D geometry in a windowWe want one that uses a cross-platform toolkit such as Qt + OGRE.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Advanced Sketch Primitive Editor]]:'''  BRL-CAD has a 2D sketch primitive, but our handling of editing sketches doesn't incorporate parametric constraintsThere are potentially applicable codes in the open source community we can leverage for this, or we can roll our own solution.
|C/C++
+
|align=center|C/C++
|HUGE
+
|align=center|MEDIUM
|MEDIUM
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Yapp]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[New Cross-Platform 2D Framebuffer]]:'''  BRL-CAD uses '''''framebuffers''''' to display 2D imagery.  The merits of having a single interface for most platforms is self-evident.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Geometric Constraint Solver]]:'''  Our LIBPC parametric constraint library is the work-in-progress foundation of being able to validate and describe geometry relationships.
|C/C++
+
|align=center|C/C++
|HUGE
+
|align=center|HARD
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Yapp]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[2D Sketch Editor]]:'''  MGED has a sucky 2D sketch editor written in pure Tcl/TkArcher has nothing.  Fix the old one or write a new one.
+
|width=62%|'''[[MGED to Archer Command Migration]]:'''  Our next-generation editor (Archer) needs to have the same (700+) commands that are in MGEDHelp make our next CAD interface awesome.
|Tcl (presently) and/or C
+
|align=center|C and Tcl
|HUGE
+
|align=center|EASY
|HARD
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Yapp, Kamga]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Yapp, Morrison]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[GUI Integration of Analysis Tools]]:'''  There are a ''lot'' of visualization tools in BRL-CAD, but most aren't integrated with the GUIVisualizing directly within the GUI would improve usability.
+
|width=62%|'''[[General Tree Walker]]:'''  We have a half dozen or more functions that will traverse a geometry hierarchy in different waysThere only needs to be one.
|C
+
|align=center|C
|BIG
+
|align=center|EASY
|MEDIUM
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Greenwald, Yapp, Morrison]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Browder, Rossberg, Gillich]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Level of Detail Wireframes]]:''' Geometry is drawn with fixed wireframe detail which can screw performance and make shape recognition difficultDetail needs to adjust based on view size.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Consolidate image processing]]:''' We have 100+ image processing tools that independently read and write file dataNeeds much reuse love.
|C
+
|align=center|C
|HUGE
+
|align=center|EASY
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Greenwald, Daga]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Greenwald, Morrison]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[BoT Editing]]:''' Our unstructured triangle mesh geometry (Bag of Triangles = BoT) is a common import format, but our BoT edit support sucks.  We need something better.
+
|width=62%|'''[[GED Transactions]]:''' Migrating functionality from our MGED geometry editor into our LIBGED library provided excellent code reuse, but now we need transactions so that actions can be undone.
|C
+
|align=center|C
|HUGE
+
|align=center|EASY
|HARD
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Daga]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Browder, Greenwald, Bowman]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[NMG Editing]]:'''  Our structured polygonal mesh geometry (N-Manifold Geometry = NMG) is a common export format, but our NMG edit support is non-existentWe need something.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Add exec option to search]]:'''  Our LIBGED library provides a ''search'' command very similar to the UNIX ''find'' command for scanning through geometry.  Implement the -exec option.
|C
+
|align=center|C
|HUGE
+
|align=center|EASY
|HARD
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Yapp, Daga]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Weiss, Morrison, Rossberg]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Visualizing Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG)]]:'''  CSG forms a directed acyclic graph.  Tree view widgets show a simple hierarchical representation, but we need something better.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Geometry Selection Functionality]]:'''  Implement a new selection command that lets you temporarily group objects based on spatial, attribute, or geometric properties.
|C/C++
+
|align=center|C
|HUGE
+
|align=center|EASY
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Browder]]
 
|}
 
 
 
 
 
== Geometry Conversion Projects ==
 
 
 
When it comes to geometry conversion, STEP and IGES are the priority.  STEP is an absurdly complicated format, but we're one of the first open source projects to implement a working importer.  IGES is a much older standard, but more time-tested too.  Both have a variety of potential high-priority projects associated with the.
 
 
 
{| border=1 bgcolor=#444444
 
!Idea
 
!Languages
 
!Impact
 
!Difficulty
 
!Contacts
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Convert BoT to Pipe]]:'''  Command line interface to convert facetted fluid/electrical line geometry into BRL-CAD native pipe solids.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Astronomical units]]:'''  We already go "big", but accurately modeling at a galactic scale redefines that notion...
|C/C++/Tcl
+
|align=center|C
|HUGE
+
|align=center|EASY
|MEDIUM
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Greenwald, Daga]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Anderson]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[STEP exporter]]:'''  We have an importer, we need a comprehensive exporter with support for implicit CSG, NURBS, or polygonal mesh geometry.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Object-oriented interfaces|Object-oriented C++ Geometry API]]:'''  Extend our C++ library which provides a simple interface to BRL-CAD's core functionality.  Kickstart start a new geometry kernel.
|C/C++
+
|align=center|C++
|HUGE
+
|align=center|MEDIUM
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Rossberg, Kamga]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Bowman, Yapp, Morrison]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[STEP importer improvements]]:'''  We have an importer, but it's preliminaryAdd support for importing hierarchy information, polygonal geometry, and implicit geometry.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Point Clouds]]:'''  BRL-CAD has a basic point cloud primitiveBeef it up, make it faster, maybe integrate with the Point Cloud Library (PCL) for evaluation.
|C/C++
+
|align=center|C/C++
|HUGE
+
|align=center|MEDIUM
|MEDIUM
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Browder, Kamga]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Bowman, Yapp]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[IGES import improvements]]:'''  We have extensive support for the International Geometry Exchange Standard (IGES) with our g-iges and iges-g converters, but they need updating.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Annotations]]:'''  Implement support for 2D annotations, labels that can be added to geometry.
|C
+
|align=center|Perl
|HUGE
+
|align=center|EASY
|MEDIUM
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Browder]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Geometry Conversion Library]]:'''  Probably our biggest open source asset is our extensive collection of importers and exporters.  Turn them all into a universal conversion library.  
+
|width=62%|'''[[Python Bindings]]:'''  With or without SWIG, wrap BRL-CAD's command library API so you can issue our creation and editing commands from Python.
|C/C++
+
|align=center|Python
|HUGE
+
|align=center|EASY
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Greenwald, Morrison, Rossberg, Hinesley]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Voxelize]] command:'''  Convert geometry into voxel data sets by shooting a grid of rays.  The finite element analysis and volumetric rendering folks will love you.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Perl Bindings]]:'''  With SWIG, wrap BRL-CAD's ray-tracing library API so you can issue calls to librt ray-tracing functions from Perl.
|C
+
|align=center|Perl
|BIG
+
|align=center|EASY
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Browder, Daga]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Hinesley, Greenwald, Morrison, Gillich, Rossberg]]
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
 +
== Rendering & Scientific Analysis ==
  
== Geometry Processing Projects ==
+
{| bgcolor=#fff
 
+
!
As part of our new GUI development efforts, a lot of code had to be moved out of application space into a libraryThat library is our geometry editing library, LIBGEDA lot of time, attention, and emphasis is going on there to make sure that all of our core functionality is reusable by applicationsMore than 100k lines of code have already moved, but there's still a lot more work needed.
+
!align=center|Languages
 
+
!align=center|Difficulty
{| border=1 bgcolor=#444444
+
!align=center|Contacts
!Idea
+
|-
!Languages
+
|width=62%|'''[[Shader Enhancements]]:'''  We have a functioning custom shader system in BRL-CAD, but there are now folks that specialize and there's lot of room for improvements.
!Impact
+
|align=center|C
!Difficulty
+
|align=center|EASY
!Contacts
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Greenwald]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[Material and Shader Objects]]:'''  This one is a biggie but easyImplement new object entities for describing shaders and material properties, use them during ray tracing.
 +
|align=center|C
 +
|align=center|EASY
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[GUI Integration of Analysis Tools]]:''' There are a ''lot'' of visualization tools in BRL-CAD, but most aren't integrated with the GUI.  Visualizing directly within the GUI would improve usability.
 +
|align=center|C
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Rossberg]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[Generalized abstracted spacial partitioning capability]]:''' Need more be said?  If you're familiar with BSPs, KD trees, and grid structures, then this one is for you.
 +
|align=center|C
 +
|align=center|HARD
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Greenwald, Morrison]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[High Dynamic Range Support]]:''' We don't have displays supporting this yet, but that's never stopped us before.  Implement support for images with more than 8-bits per channel.
 +
|align=center|C and/or C++
 +
|align=center|EASY
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Greenwald, Yapp]]
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[GED Transactions]]:''' Migrating functionality from our MGED geometry editor into our LIBGED library provided excellent code reuse, but now we need transactions so that actions can be undone.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Analysis Library]]:''' There are various tools in BRL-CAD for calculating weights, moments of inertia, and more.  They're stand-alone applications.  Turn them into a library.
|C
+
|align=center|C
|HUGE
+
|align=center|HARD
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Yapp, Morrison]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Hinesley]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Add exec option to search]]:'''  Our LIBGED library provides a ''search'' command very similar to the UNIX ''find'' command for scanning through geometry.  Implement the -exec option.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Celestial mechanics particle system]]:'''  Simulate solar systems and galaxies.
|C
+
|align=center|C/C++
|HUGE
+
|align=center|MEDIUM
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Greenwald]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Yapp]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Geometry Selection Functionality]]:'''  Implement a new selection command that lets you temporarily group objects based on spatial, attribute, or geometric properties.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Non-vacuum gravity simulator]]:'''  Simulate falling to earth.
|C
+
|align=center|C/C++
|HUGE
+
|align=center|MEDIUM
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Greenwald, Morrison, Yapp]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Hinesley, Morrison]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Geometric Constraint Solver]]:'''  Our LIBPC parametric constraint library is the work-in-progress foundation of being able to validate and describe geometry relationships.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Polarization]]:'''  We already do multispectral ray tracing, but don't simulate polarization effects.  Implement ray splitting and filtering.
|C/C++
+
|align=center|C
|HUGE
+
|align=center|HARD
|HARD
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Rossberg]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Space Partitioning for Tessellation]]:'''  Technically an optimization task, make our geometry converters run an order of magnitude faster by using spatial partitioning during tessellation.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Density functions]]:'''  Accurately represent everything from atmosphere to bone.  Implement support for parametric density functions for homogenous materials.
|C
+
|align=center|C
|BIG
+
|align=center|HARD
|HARD
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Rossberg, Morrison]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Greenwald, Yapp, Morrison]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[libsvn within Geometry Database Format]]:'''  Our ''Geometry Service'' project provides comprehensive edit history by using a revision control system.  Hook our .g database on the backend ftw.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Bending light]]:'''  Think gravity wells and satellite cameras.
|C
+
|align=center|C
|HUGE
+
|align=center|MEDIUM
|HARD
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Yapp]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Overlap tool]]:''' Resolving geometric interferences (aka overlaps) is a common geometry editing activityDesign an awesome interface for resolving conflicts.
+
|width=62%|'''[[Appleseed renderer integration]]:''' Appleseed is rendering infrastructure used by the film industry to make pretty picturesMake it shoot rays at our native geometry with our ray trace library.
|Tcl
+
|align=center|C
|HUGE
+
|align=center|MEDIUM
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Browder, Yapp, Morrison, Greenwald]]
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
 +
== <An Idea of Your Own> ==
 +
 +
Do you have an idea of your own?  Maybe you need [http://brlcad.org/~sean/ideas.html more ideas] to inspire you?  We're very open to areas of academic research, industry applications, and ideas that get you hooked on open source CAD development.
 +
 +
Requirements:
 +
 +
* Passion for the task being suggested
  
== Rendering & Analysis Projects ==
+
= OpenSCAD Projects =
  
Raytracing is at the heart of all that is BRL-CAD.  The 'rt' application was the world's first distributed parallel ray tracer, implemented in early 80's, and it's backed by our powerful LIBRT library.  We're the best as full path shotlines (shooting all the way through geometry, not just first hit) and can handle crazy big geometry very efficiently, very fast. It's how we perform geometric analysis, generate images, perform simulations, and more.
+
[http://openscad.org OpenSCAD] is a parametric solid 3D modeling tool which uses a Domain Specific Language to specify designs as plain text. It is specifically designed with 3D printing in mind.
  
{| border=1 bgcolor=#444444
+
{| bgcolor=#fff width=100%
!Idea
+
!
!Languages
+
!align=center|Languages/Tools
!Impact
+
!align=center|Difficulty
!Difficulty
+
!align=center|Contacts
!Contacts
+
|-
 +
|align=left width=62%|'''[https://github.com/openscad/openscad/wiki/Project%3A-Improve-DXF-import-and-export Improve DXF Import and Export]:''' Look into using an external library for DXF import (and export?).
 +
|align=center|C++
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Marius/Torsten]]
 +
|-
 +
|align=left width=62%|'''[https://github.com/openscad/openscad/wiki/Ideas-for-Development-Tasks#openscad-standard-library OpenSCAD Standard Library]:''' Create a standard user-space OpenSCAD library.
 +
|align=center|OpenSCAD
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Marius/Torsten]]
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Shader Enhancements]]:''' We have a functioning custom shader system in BRL-CAD, but there are now folks that specialize and there's lot of room for improvements.
+
|align=left width=62%|'''[https://github.com/openscad/openscad/wiki/Project%3A-Improve-OpenGL-rendering OpenGL framework]:''' Rewrite the OpenGL rendering code to use a rendering framework. Focus on compatibility with OpenGL ES2 and rendering performance.
|C
+
|align=center|C++ OpenGL
|BIG
+
|align=center|MEDIUM
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Marius/Torsten]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Greenwald]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Material and Shader Objects]]:''' This one is a biggie but easy.  Implement new object entities for describing shaders and material properties, use them during ray tracing.
+
|align=left width=62%|'''[https://github.com/openscad/openscad/wiki/Ideas-for-Development-Tasks#persistant-caching Persistent Caching]:''' Implement a disk-based version of the internal memory caches
|C
+
|align=center|C++
|HUGE
+
|align=center|MEDIUM
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Marius/Torsten]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[NMG Raytracing Performance Improvement]]:''' BRL-CAD's structured mesh geometry (N-Manifold Geometry = NMG) needs some time in a profiler.  Malloc during raytracing is bad.
+
|align=left width=62%|'''[https://github.com/openscad/openscad/wiki/Project%3A-Multi-threaded-geometry-rendering Multi-threaded Geometry Evaluation]:''' Implement multi-threaded evaluation of geometry.
|C
+
|align=center|C++
|BIG
+
|align=center|MEDIUM
|HARD
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Marius/Torsten]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Greenwald, Bowman]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Generalized abstracted spacial partitioning capability]]:''' Need more be said?  If you're familiar with BSPs, KD trees, and grid structures, then this one is for you.
+
|align=left width=62%|'''[https://github.com/openscad/openscad/wiki/Project%3A-Survey-of-CSG-algorithms Survey of CSG algorithms]:''' Review existing research, evaluate and prototype algorithms.
|C
+
|align=center|C++
|HUGE
+
|align=center|MEDIUM-HARD
|HARD
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Marius/Torsten]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Greenwald, Morrison]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[High Dynamic Range Support]]:''' We don't have displays supporting this yet, but that's never stopped us before. Implement support for images with more than 8-bits per channel.
+
|align=left width=62%|'''[https://github.com/openscad/openscad/wiki/Ideas-for-Development-Tasks#issue-handling Issue Handling]:''' Day-to day issue and community management, fix incoming and existin issues. Good place to get started.
|C and/or C++
+
|align=center|C++
|BIG
+
|align=center|EASY
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Marius/Torsten]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Greenwald, Yapp]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Vector output from raytracing]]:''' Huge impact here if you can update one or more of our raytracers to provide vector output instead of raster. Perhaps render directly to PDF or SVG.
+
|align=left width=62%|'''[https://github.com/openscad/openscad/wiki/Ideas-for-Development-Tasks#test-framework-improvements Test Framework Improvements]:''' Improve tests and test framework. Good place to get started.
|C and/or C++
+
|align=center|C++
|HUGE
+
|align=center|EASY-MEDIUM
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Marius/Torsten]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Browder, Rossberg]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Analysis Library]]:''' There are various tools in BRL-CAD for calculating weights, moments of inertia, and more.  They're stand-alone applications.  Turn them into a library.
+
|align=left width=62%|'''[https://github.com/openscad/openscad/wiki/Ideas-for-Development-Tasks#svg-import SVG Import]:''' Improve/finalize SVG import.
|C
+
|align=center|C++, SVG
|HUGE
+
|align=center|MEDIUM
|HARD
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Marius/Torsten]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Yapp, Morrison]]
+
|-
 +
|align=left width=62%|'''[https://github.com/openscad/openscad/wiki/Ideas-for-Development-Tasks#larger-tasks-for-particularly-experienced-people Larger tasks for particularly experienced people]:''' Various harder tasks which are not fully specified and requires significant effort to design and implement.
 +
|align=center|C++
 +
|align=center|HARD
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Marius/Torsten]]
 
|}
 
|}
  
 +
The OpenSCAD team is also open to new ideas. Please [http://www.openscad.org/community.html get in touch] to discuss your ideas and convince a mentor to back it.
  
== Scientific Projects ==
+
= LibreCAD Projects =
  
BRL-CAD has been used to visualize Hubble up in orbit (before it was launched), simulate light transport (multispectral analyses), model Earth's interior layers (education), and much more but there are lots of coding projects that would really help make BRL-CAD more useful for general science a work.
+
LibreCAD is a free Open Source CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux. Support and documentation is free from our large, dedicated community of users, contributors and developers.
 +
Please refer to [http://wiki.librecad.org/index.php/GSoC_2015#LibreCAD_Projects_Ideas LibreCAD GSoC 2015 ideas] for more detailed description.
  
{| border=1 bgcolor=#444444
+
 
!Idea
+
{| bgcolor=#fff
!Languages
+
!
!Impact
+
!align=center|Languages
!Difficulty
+
!align=center|Difficulty
!Contacts
+
!align=center|Contacts
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Astronomical units]]:'''  We already go "big", but accurately modeling at a galactic scale redefines that notion...
+
 
|C
+
|- bgcolor=#ffffff
|BIG
+
|width=62%|'''[[LibreCAD 3 UI]]:'''  Add GUI support for drawing and editing actions to start exposing it to end users.
|EASY
+
|align=center|C++,Math
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Greenwald]]
+
|align=center|MEDIUM TO HIGH
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|LordOfBikes]], [[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|ries]]
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Bending light]]:'''  Think gravity wells and satellite cameras.
+
 
|C
+
|- bgcolor=#ffffff
|BIG
+
|width=62%|'''[[Improve Spline/Bézier Support]]'''   
|MEDIUM
+
|align=center|C++,Math
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
+
|align=center|MEDIUM TO HIGH
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|LordOfBikes]], [[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|ries]]
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Celestial mechanics particle system]]:'''  Simulate solar systems and galaxies.
+
 
|C/C++
+
 
|BIG
+
|- bgcolor=#ffffff
|MEDIUM
+
|width=62%|'''[[Improve contour topology support]]:'''  Hatching and area enclosed in a contour
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Greenwald]]
+
|align=center|C++
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|LordOfBikes]], [[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|ries]]
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Non-vacuum gravity simulator]]:'''  Simulate falling to earth.
+
 
|C/C++
+
|- bgcolor=#ffffff
|BIG
+
|width=62%|'''[[Improve precision and robustness of equation solvers]]'''   
|MEDIUM
+
|align=center|C++
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Browder, Greenwald, Morrison, Yapp]]
+
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|LordOfBikes]], [[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|ries]]
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Polarization]]:'''  We already do multispectral ray tracing, but don't simulate polarization effects.  Implement ray splitting and filtering.
+
 
|C
+
|- bgcolor=#ffffff
|BIG
+
|width=62%|'''[[Conic curve support]]'''   
|HARD
+
|align=center|C++
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison, Rossberg]]
+
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|LordOfBikes]], [[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|ries]]
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Density functions]]:'''  Accurately represent everything from atmosphere to bone.  Implement support for parametric density functions for homogenous materials.
 
|C
 
|BIG
 
|HARD
 
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Rossberg, Morrison, Davsisson]]
 
|}
 
  
 +
|- bgcolor=#ffffff
 +
|width=62%|'''[[SmartSnap]]:''' Adding and improve snap features for drawing
 +
|align=center|C++
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|LordOfBikes]], [[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|ries]]
 +
|-
  
== Networking Projects ==
+
|- bgcolor=#ffffff
 +
|width=62%|'''[[Support for multiple units upon data entry]]''' 
 +
|align=center|C++
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|LordOfBikes]]
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
BRL-CAD includes a variety of tools that utilize networking.  Our LIBPKG networking library predates pervasive TCP/IP availability and is time-tested.  As BRL-CAD becomes more of an operation-oriented modular infrastructure, improvements to our networking underpinnings become necessary.
+
= STEPcode Projects =
  
{| border=1 bgcolor=#444444
+
{| bgcolor=#fff width=100%
!Idea
+
!
!Languages
+
!align=center|Languages
!Impact
+
!align=center|Difficulty
!Difficulty
+
!align=center|Contacts
!Contacts
 
 
|-
 
|-
|'''[[Package Library Extensions]]:'''  Our network "package" library is old but solidAs decades tick by, though, some implementation assumptions need revisiting.
+
|width=62%|'''[[STEP Coverage Test]]:'''  Write a program that links against STEPcode and generates a STEP output instantiating every entity for a given schema.  Goal is a comprehensive program and data file for testing STEP import/export.
|C
+
|ANY (C/C++, Python, Java, Perl, ...)
|BIG
+
|align=center|EASY
|EASY
+
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Mark, Charlie]]
|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Morrison]]
+
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[STEP Incremental Loading]]:''' Basically take a work-in-progress to the next level.  Modify the STEP parser to only read what it needs when it needs it, test, clean up, profile, and optimize.
 +
|align=center|C++
 +
|align=center|EASY
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Mark, Charlie]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[STEP Minimal Examples]]:''' Create minimal examples for various schemas - such as AP214 or AP242 - in the style of [http://github.com/stepcode/stepcode/blob/master/example/ap203min/ap203min.cpp ap203min]
 +
|align=center|C++
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Mark, Charlie]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[STEP Multiple Protocol Parsing]]:''' Currently creates a parser that works with a specific application protocol (e.g., AP203, AP214).  Make it work with multiple simultaneously.
 +
|align=center|C++
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Mark, Charlie]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[STEP Source Code Documentation]]:'''  We already use doxygen, but could do much better. Improve code documentation and utilize additional doxygen features such as topic pages. Add a 'make doxygen' target to invoke doxygen.
 +
|align=center|C/C++
 +
|align=center|EASY
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Mark, Charlie]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[STEP EXPRESS Documentation]]:'''  Write 'exp2html', similar to exp2py or exp2cxx (python and C++ generators) but outputs graphs and hyperlinked documentation with JavaScript search. Output will include EXPRESS comments (this requires modifying the parser).
 +
|align=center|C/C++, JavaScript
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Mark, Charlie]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[STEP Viewer]]:''' STEP is a common CAD file format supported by just about every major CAD system.  Given we have an importer and an interface for displaying geometry, a stand-alone STEP file viewer has some great potential.
 +
|align=center|C/C++
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Mark, Charlie]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[STEP Code Refactoring]]:'''  Split large files and functions, add unit tests, move contents of LISTdo loops into separate functions.
 +
|align=center|C/C++
 +
|align=center|EASY
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Mark, Charlie]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[[STEP Thread Safety and Performance]]:'''  Modify the libraries to improve thread safety, increase performance using hotspot analysis
 +
|align=center|C/C++
 +
|align=center|MEDIUM
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Mark, Charlie]]
 
|}
 
|}
  
 +
= Slic3r Projects =
  
== Other Tool Projects ==
+
[http://slic3r.org Slic3r] is CAM desktop application for toolpath/G-code generation for 3D printers.
  
Some of these project ideas aren't as detailed or elaborate as the ones above, but would be interesting and useful nonetheless. Please discuss with us before proposing one of these ideas.
+
{| bgcolor=#fff width=100%
 +
!
 +
!align=center|Languages
 +
!align=center|Difficulty
 +
!align=center|Contacts
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''Conditional G-code and arithmetic expressions parser:'''  Implement a grammar parser for conditional and arithmetic expressions within custom G-code, maybe using Boost.Spirit or some other library. [https://github.com/alexrj/Slic3r/issues/3390 #3390]
 +
|C++
 +
|align=center|Easy-Medium
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Alessandro/Joseph]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''Port the GUI to C++:''' The GUI is currently coded in Perl using wxWidgets and our goal is to have it ported to C++. The wxWidgets API is almost identical between Perl and C++, so it's an easy task. There are a couple things where we use the dynamic features of Perl which are trickier and interesting to port.
 +
|C++/wxWidgets
 +
|align=center|Easy
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Alessandro/Joseph]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''Port the SVGNest library to C++:''' The SVGNest library provides an algorithm for polygon nesting. It's written in JavaScript and a C++ port of it would improve Slic3r's auto-arrange feature. [https://github.com/alexrj/Slic3r/issues/3237 #3237]
 +
|C++
 +
|align=center|Easy
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Alessandro/Joseph]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''Fix bugs of the Boost.Voronoi library:''' The good but unmaintained Boost.Voronoi library has a couple minor issues affecting Slic3r's results. Interesting task for learning the Voronoi algorithm and how to troubleshoot a computational geometry issue. [https://github.com/alexrj/Slic3r/issues/2948 #2948]
 +
|C++
 +
|align=center|Medium
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Alessandro/Joseph]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''Wireframe printing:''' Implement the wireframe printing algorithm. [https://github.com/alexrj/Slic3r/issues/2274 #2274]
 +
|C++
 +
|align=center|Medium
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Alessandro/Joseph]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''Automatic part rotation:''' Automatically rotate a part to make some face of the part the bottom. [https://github.com/alexrj/Slic3r/issues/3047 #3047]
 +
|C++
 +
|align=center|Medium
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Alessandro/Joseph]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''Manual support creation:''' Allow users to place and move support pillars by clicking in the 3D GUI. [https://github.com/alexrj/Slic3r/issues/3062 #3062]
 +
|C++/Perl/OpenGL
 +
|align=center|Medium/Hard
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Alessandro/Joseph]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''Refactor the TriangleMesh class and support non-solid walls:''' Replace the internal mesh representation (currently based on admesh) using an existing 3D mesh library or implementing a half-edge structure; only use admesh for fixing models. Keep non-solid walls and slice them as single paths. Bonus: import SVG paths and position them freely using the GUI for printing as single extrusions. [https://github.com/alexrj/Slic3r/issues/3560 #3560] [https://github.com/alexrj/Slic3r/issues/3523 #3523]
 +
|C++
 +
|align=center|Medium/Hard
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Alessandro/Joseph]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''Implement 3MF format read/write:''' Add the 3MF format for both reading and writing. [https://github.com/alexrj/Slic3r/issues/2811 #2811]
 +
|C++
 +
|align=center|Easy
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Alessandro/Joseph]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''Non-planar printing:''' Implement techniques for non-planar printing. [https://github.com/alexrj/Slic3r/issues/3442 #3442]
 +
|C++
 +
|align=center|Medium
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Alessandro/Joseph]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''Support surface colors and mixing extruders:''' Read surface colors from AMF or OBJ and keep them throughout the slicing process in order to generate G-code for mixing extruders. [https://github.com/alexrj/Slic3r/issues/3546 #3546]
 +
|C++/Perl
 +
|align=center|Hard
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Alessandro/Joseph]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''Clean the libslic3r API and write bindings for it:''' Expose the internal algorithms of Slic3r as a library and write bindings for Python, Perl etc.
 +
|C++/any
 +
|align=center|Easy
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Alessandro/Joseph]]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''Write a Slic3r plugin for Grasshopper:''' Expose Slic3r functionality as many separate components that can be plugged in larger GH definitions (for example: slice a NURBS model in GH and feed the slices to the toolpath generation process in order to skip mesh generation, or provide flow calculation for people driving 5-axis robots with custom motion). This requires a fair amount of design work.
 +
|C++
 +
|align=center|Medium/Hard
 +
|align=center|[[Google_Summer_of_Code/Project_Ideas#Mentors|Alessandro/Joseph]]
 +
|}
  
* [[Automated exploded view tool]]  (C/C++/Tcl)
+
= FreeCAD Projects =
* [[Automated cutaway view tool]]  (C/C++/Tcl)
 
* [[Converter completion so all current formats have both import and export]]  (C)
 
* [[GUI Animation editor/creator]]  (C/Tcl)
 
* [[Blender file format converter]]  (C)
 
* [[Object-oriented interfaces]]  (C/C++)
 
* [[Improved clone/pattern tool]] (C/Tcl)
 
 
 
== <AN IDEA OF YOUR OWN> ==
 
 
 
Do you have an idea of your own? [[Mailing Lists|Let us know]] and maybe we'll like it too.  We're very open to new ideas, areas of academic research, industry applications, and any other ways that may help get you hooked on BRL-CAD development.  Just remember that BRL-CAD is a solid modeling CAD suite so keep that in mind when scoping your project.
 
 
 
Requirements:
 
 
 
*Passion for the task being suggested
 
*Buy-in from one of the existing developers
 
  
 +
{| bgcolor=#fff width=100%
 +
!
 +
! Language
 +
! Difficulty
 +
! Contact
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/Advanced_FreeCAD_test_system Advanced FreeCAD test system ]''': Create a framework for result file based comparisons and workbench specific comparators. Also creation of test cases should be simplified by a GUI or wizard.
 +
|align=center|Python/C++
 +
|align=center|Medium
 +
|align=center|[http://forum.freecadweb.org/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=686 Ickby]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/Topological_Naming_Project Topological Naming Project]''': Implementation of subshape identifiers based on creation history and update of topology class to work with those identifiers.
 +
|align=center|C++
 +
|align=center|Hard
 +
|align=center|[http://forum.freecadweb.org/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=686 Ickby]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/Direct_modeling_tools Direct modeling tools]''': Create a new layer of tools and objects, that work on top of existing Part-based 3D objects, that allow a user to graphically modify their geometry.
 +
|align=center|Python/C++
 +
|align=center|Medium
 +
|align=center|[http://forum.freecadweb.org/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=68 Yorik]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/FEM_Post_Processing_based_on_VTK FEM Post Processing based on VTK]''': Base the existing FEM VTK post processing on the updated SMESH data structure and design a python interface for it. Also improve integration into the workbench.
 +
|align=center|C++
 +
|align=center|Medium
 +
|align=center|[http://forum.freecadweb.org/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=686 Ickby]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[http://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/IPython_notebook_integration IPython notebook integration]''': Create a way to export the open inventor scenegraph as a JavaScript file and add functions for seamless interaction with the IPython display system
 +
|align=center|C++, JavaScript, Python
 +
|align=center|Easy
 +
|align=center|[http://forum.freecadweb.org/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=686 Ickby]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[https://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/Integrate_Cycles_renderer Integrate Cycles renderer]''': Add Blender's new Cycles renderer as a new render engine to the Raytracing Workbench
 +
|align=center|C++
 +
|align=center|Medium
 +
|align=center|[http://forum.freecadweb.org/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=68 Yorik]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|Stepwise integration of ElmerFem into FreeCAD should be done in three phases:
 +
Phase 1 - '''[https://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/New_solver_object_for_handling_ElmerFEM_execution_in_FEM-workbench New solver object for handling ElmerFEM execution in FEM-workbench]'''.
 +
Phase 2 - '''[https://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/Mapping_of_main_ElmerSolver_setting_for_mechanical_simulations Mapping of main ElmerSolver setting for mechanical simulations]'''.
 +
Phase 3 - '''[https://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/Give_graphical_access_to_a_wide_range_of_available_ElmerSolver_setting_from_within_FreeCAD Give graphical access to a wide range of available ElmerSolver setting from within FreeCAD]'''
 +
|align=center|Python/C++
 +
|align=center|Medium-Hard
 +
|align=center|[https://forum.freecadweb.org/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=2069 Bernd], [https://forum.freecadweb.org/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=6222 HoWil]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[https://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/PartDesign_Updates PartDesign Updates]''': Finish PartDesign port to new Body object, simplify the workflows and extend tools while making them more robust.
 +
|align=center|C++, Python
 +
|align=center|Medium
 +
|align=center|[http://forum.freecadweb.org/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=686 Ickby]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[https://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/GSoC_FEM_Solver_Z88 GSoC FEM Solver Z88]''': Extend the capabilities of FEM solver Z88OS in FreeCAD FEM workbench.
 +
|align=center|Python
 +
|align=center|Easy-Medium
 +
|align=center|[http://forum.freecadweb.org/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=686 Bernd]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[https://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/GSoC_FEM_Unit_Tests GSoC FEM Unit Tests]''': Extend the unit tests of FreeCAD FEM workbench.
 +
|align=center|Python
 +
|align=center|Easy-Medium
 +
|align=center|[http://forum.freecadweb.org/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=686 Bernd]
 +
|-
 +
|width=62%|'''[https://www.freecadweb.org/wiki/GSoC_Path/Robot_Integration GSoC Path/Robot Integration]''': Path is the CNC/CAM workbench. It currently lacks any simulation capability. Robot workbench is a tool for simulating industrial robots. Extend Path and Robot workbenches to support simulation of CNC operations in the Robot workbench.
 +
|align=center|C++, Python
 +
|align=center|Easy-Medium
 +
|align=center|[http://forum.freecadweb.org/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=68 Yorik], [https://forum.freecadweb.org/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=708 sliptonic]
 +
|}
  
 
= Mentors =
 
= Mentors =
Line 472: Line 755:
 
* Christopher Sean Morrison
 
* Christopher Sean Morrison
 
** brlcad on irc.freenode.net
 
** brlcad on irc.freenode.net
** Org admin, core dev, open source project lead
+
** Org admin, BRL-CAD open source project lead
  
 
* Erik Greenwald
 
* Erik Greenwald
 
** ``Erik on irc.freenode.net
 
** ``Erik on irc.freenode.net
** Org admin, core dev
+
** Org admin, BRL-CAD core dev
  
 
* Cliff Yapp
 
* Cliff Yapp
 
** starseeker on irc.freenode.net
 
** starseeker on irc.freenode.net
** Mentor, core dev
+
** BRL-CAD Mentor, core dev
  
 
* Daniel Rossberg
 
* Daniel Rossberg
 
** d_rossberg on irc.freenode.net
 
** d_rossberg on irc.freenode.net
** Mentor, core dev, math expert
+
** BRL-CAD Mentor, core dev, math expert
 +
 
 +
* H.S. Rai
 +
** hsrai on irc.freenode.net
 +
** BRL-CAD Mentor, math expert
  
 
* Tom Browder
 
* Tom Browder
** brlcad-devel maling list
+
** BRL-CAD Mentor, analysis expert
** Mentor, analysis, code support
+
 
 +
* Bryan Bishop
 +
** BRL-CAD Mentor, python guru
 +
 
 +
* Isaac Kamga
 +
** Izakey on irc.freenode.net
 +
** BRL-CAD Mentor, C/C++ Programmer
 +
 
 +
* Mohit Daga
 +
** zero_level irc.freenode.net
 +
** BRL-CAD Mentor, Computer Science Engineer
 +
 
 +
* Mark Pictor
 +
** mpictor on irc.freenode.net
 +
** STEPcode Mentor
  
* Brandon Hinesley
+
* Charlie Stirk
** bhinesley on irc.freenode.net
+
** cstirk
** Mentor, former GSoC student
+
** STEPcode Mentor
  
* Mike Gillich
+
* Marius Kintel
** brlcad-devel mailing list
+
** kintel on irc.freenode.net
** Mentor, tester, analysis
+
** OpenSCAD Mentor
  
* Ed Davisson
+
* Torsten Paul
** brlcad-devel mailing list
+
** teepee on irc.freenode.net
** Part-time mentor, Math guru extraordinaire
+
** OpenSCAD Mentor
  
* Keith Bowman
+
* Ries van Twisk
** brlcad-devel mailing list
+
** ries on irc.freenode.net
** Backup mentor, core dev, NURBS guru
+
** LibreCAD Mentor
  
* Richard Weiss
+
* Armin Stebich
** brlcad-devel mailing list
+
** LordOfBikes on irc.freenode.net
** Backup mentor, NMG info, code support
+
** LibreCAD Mentor
  
* Dave Loman
+
* Alessandro Ranellucci
** dloman on irc.freenode.net
+
** Sound on irc.freenode.net
** Backup mentor, expert modeler
+
** Slic3r Mentor
  
* Robert Anderson
+
* Joseph Lenox
** brlcad-devel maling list
+
** LoH on irc.freenode.net
** Mentor, analysis, code support
+
** Slic3r Mentor

Revision as of 12:13, 22 October 2017

If you want to work on computer-aided design (CAD), geometry, or graphics, you've come to the right place! Help us improve open source CAD.

Well prepared proposals from capable students have an outstanding chance of getting selected. We consider proposals for all skill levels ranging from simple to crazy hard and everything in between. Introduce yourself, and we'll help you plan one right for you.

Remember that project descriptions are just initial ideas. You must expand with considerably more detail. Change the goals to fit your experience and interests. See our checklist to get started.

This year, BRL-CAD is coordinating with five other communities that will get 1-2 students each to help bridge our work and encourage collaboration. Projects that help exchange data or share code are desired!

cutout_sticker_256.png logo.png LogoLibrecad_logo.png
BRL-CAD: 3D solid modeling, geometry processing, and robust high-performance ray tracing. Help us make a better CAD system. OpenSCAD: rich syntax, programmable geometry. Lots of possibilities to make it interoperate with BRL-CAD and LibreCAD. LibreCAD: specializes in 2D CAD modeling, drafting, drawings. Help build a bridge to BRL-CAD or add STEP support.
STEPcode_logo_gears_light.png Slic3r_128px.png logo.png
STEPcode: file format on steroids, STEP is a complex standard for geometry used by nearly every pro CAD system. Slic3r: toolpath/G-code generator for 3D printers. FreeCAD: parametric 3D modelling with strong Python interface and general engineering functionality like FEM and CAM

Project titles link to a page with more details.

BRL-CAD Projects

High Priority Topics

Languages Difficulty Contacts
Convert MGED from Tk to Qt: Transition BRL-CAD's graphical applications from the Tk toolkit to the Qt toolkit. C/C++/Tcl/Qt HARD Rossberg, Yapp
Annotations: Implement support for 2D annotations, labels that can be added to geometry. C/C++ MEDIUM Morrison, Yapp

Web Development

Languages Difficulty Contacts
Benchmark Performance Database: BRL-CAD's Benchmark has been used for two decades to compare performance across configurations. Build a database website. Depends (likely PHP or Python) EASY Morrison
Synchronize Wiki with Docbook: We use Docbook for most of our user documentation but find editing a wiki page much easier to use. Set up a system so the two are always in sync. Depends (likely PHP or Python) MEDIUM Yapp
Online Geometry Viewer Interface: Continuation of existing work, improve our interface for viewing geometry online. Focus on the front-end usability. Depends (likely PHP or Python) MEDIUM Morrison
Online Geometry Viewer Back-end: Continuation of existing work, improve our interface for viewing geometry online. Focus on the back-end infrastructure. Depends (likely PHP or Python) HARD Morrison
Mediawiki 3D Geometry Extension: Write an extension for Mediawiki that will visualize our .g files. Maybe leverage LLVM C->Javascript translation. Depends (likely PHP or Python) HARD Morrison
Materials Database: Create a Materials Database web site for collecting, managing, and providing programmatic interfaces to material properties. Depends (likely PHP or Python) MEDIUM Morrison, Yapp

Geometry

Languages Difficulty Contacts
NURBS Editing Support: BRL-CAD doesn't currently have support for editing NURBS primitives. Fix that. C/Tcl MEDIUM Yapp
Overlap tool: Resolving geometric interferences (aka overlaps) is a common geometry editing activity. Design an awesome GUI for resolving conflicts. Tcl EASY Yapp, Morrison, Greenwald
Vector Drawings from NURBS: Huge impact here if you can update one or more of our raytracers to provide vector output instead of raster. Perhaps render directly to PDF or SVG. C and/or C++ EASY Rossberg
NMG Editing: Our structured polygonal mesh geometry (N-Manifold Geometry = NMG) is a common export format, but our NMG edit support is non-existent. We need something. C HARD Morrison, Rossberg
Visualizing Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG): CSG forms a directed acyclic graph. Tree view widgets show a simple hierarchical representation, but we need something better. C/C++ EASY Morrison
Plate Mode NURBS raytracing: Imported NURBS geometry often does NOT enclose space (i.e., not solid), so add support for specifying an implicit thickness. C/C++ HARD Morrison
STEP exporter: We have an importer, we need a comprehensive exporter with support for implicit CSG, NURBS, or polygonal mesh geometry. C/C++ EASY Yapp, Morrison
STEP importer improvements: We have an importer, but it's preliminary. Add support for importing hierarchy information, polygonal geometry, and implicit geometry. C/C++ MEDIUM Yapp
STEP AP 242 Parser: We already parse a subset of AP203, but the new kid on the block is AP242. Make AP242 work with BRL-CAD's step-g importer. C++ HARD Mark, Charlie, Yapp, Kamga
Convert BoT to Pipe: Command line interface to convert facetted fluid/electrical line geometry into BRL-CAD native pipe solids. C/C++/Tcl MEDIUM Morrison
IGES import improvements: We have extensive support for the International Geometry Exchange Standard (IGES) with our g-iges and iges-g converters, but they need updating. C MEDIUM Morrison
Geometry Conversion Library: Probably our biggest open source asset is our extensive collection of importers and exporters. Turn them all into a universal conversion library. C/C++ EASY Greenwald, Morrison, Rossberg
COLLADA Importer: Create an importer for the COLLADA file format. C/C++ MEDIUM Morrison
X3D Importer: Create an importer for the X3D file format. C/C++ MEDIUM Morrison, Kamga
OpenSCAD Importer: Create an importer for OpenSCAD's format. C/C++ EASY Morrison
OpenSCAD Exporter: Create an exporter for OpenSCAD's format. C/C++ EASY Morrison
Python Geometry: Wrap BRL-CAD's primitives in Python, make it easier to script geometry creation. Python Easy Morrison
Perl Geometry: Wrap BRL-CAD's primitives in Perl, make it easier to script geometry creation. Perl Easy Browder

Performance & Quality

Languages Difficulty Contacts
OpenCL GPGPU Raytracing: We have about a dozen simple primitives that need to have a ray-object intersection function converted from C to OpenCL. C/OpenCL EASY Morrison
OpenCL GPGPU Complex Raytracing: We have about half a dozen complex primitives that need to have a ray-object intersection function converted from C to OpenCL. C/OpenCL MEDIUM Morrison
OpenCL GPGPU Spatial Partitioning Raytracing: We use a Bounding Volume Hierarchy (BVH) to reduce the amount of intersections we need to compute to render an image. We need to replace this with a Kd-tree in order to be able to early terminate a render in models with high depth complexity. This should speed up render speed significantly for those models (e.g. Goliath). C/OpenCL HARD Morrison
Coherent Raytracing: Our current raytrace pipeline dispatches and processes one ray at a time. Send bundles and convert the pipeline into phases. C/C++ MEDIUM Morrison, Rossberg
NURBS Booleans: We have NURBS surface-surface intersections working. Now we're using them to create evaluated forms of our CSG geometry. Make it more robust and faster. C/C++ HARD Yapp, Rossberg
NURBS Optimization and Cleanup: We have a fantastic implementation of NURBS evaluation but haven't gone back to clean up or speed it up. Make it pretty and fast. C/C++ MEDIUM Yapp, Morrison
Fix Bugs: We take pride in our breadth of functionality and time-tested stability. We still have bugs. Identify some and fix them! C EASY Browder
NMG Raytracing Performance Improvement: BRL-CAD's structured mesh geometry (N-Manifold Geometry = NMG) needs some time in a profiler. Malloc during raytracing is bad. C HARD Morrison, Greenwald
Mesh library cleanup: BRL-CAD has an extensive n-manifold polygonal mesh library that needs some refactoring, testing, and optimization rework. C MEDIUM Morrison, Rossberg
Space Partitioning for Tessellation: Technically an optimization task, make our geometry converters run an order of magnitude faster by using spatial partitioning during tessellation. C HARD Greenwald, Yapp, Morrison
Code Reduction: BRL-CAD is more than 1M lines of code. Approximately 10% of that is duplication. Help reduce that percentage. C EASY Greenwald, Morrison
Header Restructuring: BRL-CAD has about two dozen libraries with a single header declaring the entire public API. Break up those monster headers into modular sub-headers. C EASY Greenwald, Morrison
Faster Overlap Detection: BRL-CAD has a 'gqa' tool that detects overlaps. Implement a replacement using a better approach. C MEDIUM Greenwald, Morrison

Infrastructure

Languages Difficulty Contacts
New Cross-Platform 3D Display Manager: BRL-CAD uses display managers for visualizing 3D geometry in a window. We want one that uses a cross-platform toolkit such as Qt + OGRE. C/C++ MEDIUM Morrison
New Cross-Platform 2D Framebuffer: BRL-CAD uses framebuffers to display 2D imagery. The merits of having a single interface for most platforms is self-evident. C/C++ EASY Morrison, Yapp
Advanced Sketch Primitive Editor: BRL-CAD has a 2D sketch primitive, but our handling of editing sketches doesn't incorporate parametric constraints. There are potentially applicable codes in the open source community we can leverage for this, or we can roll our own solution. C/C++ MEDIUM Yapp
Geometric Constraint Solver: Our LIBPC parametric constraint library is the work-in-progress foundation of being able to validate and describe geometry relationships. C/C++ HARD Morrison
MGED to Archer Command Migration: Our next-generation editor (Archer) needs to have the same (700+) commands that are in MGED. Help make our next CAD interface awesome. C and Tcl EASY Yapp, Kamga
General Tree Walker: We have a half dozen or more functions that will traverse a geometry hierarchy in different ways. There only needs to be one. C EASY Greenwald, Yapp, Morrison
Consolidate image processing: We have 100+ image processing tools that independently read and write file data. Needs much reuse love. C EASY Greenwald, Daga
GED Transactions: Migrating functionality from our MGED geometry editor into our LIBGED library provided excellent code reuse, but now we need transactions so that actions can be undone. C EASY Morrison, Daga
Add exec option to search: Our LIBGED library provides a search command very similar to the UNIX find command for scanning through geometry. Implement the -exec option. C EASY Yapp, Daga
Geometry Selection Functionality: Implement a new selection command that lets you temporarily group objects based on spatial, attribute, or geometric properties. C EASY Morrison
Astronomical units: We already go "big", but accurately modeling at a galactic scale redefines that notion... C EASY Morrison, Greenwald, Daga
Object-oriented C++ Geometry API: Extend our C++ library which provides a simple interface to BRL-CAD's core functionality. Kickstart start a new geometry kernel. C++ MEDIUM Rossberg, Kamga
Point Clouds: BRL-CAD has a basic point cloud primitive. Beef it up, make it faster, maybe integrate with the Point Cloud Library (PCL) for evaluation. C/C++ MEDIUM Browder, Kamga
Annotations: Implement support for 2D annotations, labels that can be added to geometry. Perl EASY Browder
Python Bindings: With or without SWIG, wrap BRL-CAD's command library API so you can issue our creation and editing commands from Python. Python EASY Morrison
Perl Bindings: With SWIG, wrap BRL-CAD's ray-tracing library API so you can issue calls to librt ray-tracing functions from Perl. Perl EASY Browder, Daga

Rendering & Scientific Analysis

Languages Difficulty Contacts
Shader Enhancements: We have a functioning custom shader system in BRL-CAD, but there are now folks that specialize and there's lot of room for improvements. C EASY Morrison, Greenwald
Material and Shader Objects: This one is a biggie but easy. Implement new object entities for describing shaders and material properties, use them during ray tracing. C EASY Morrison
GUI Integration of Analysis Tools: There are a lot of visualization tools in BRL-CAD, but most aren't integrated with the GUI. Visualizing directly within the GUI would improve usability. C MEDIUM Rossberg
Generalized abstracted spacial partitioning capability: Need more be said? If you're familiar with BSPs, KD trees, and grid structures, then this one is for you. C HARD Greenwald, Morrison
High Dynamic Range Support: We don't have displays supporting this yet, but that's never stopped us before. Implement support for images with more than 8-bits per channel. C and/or C++ EASY Greenwald, Yapp
Analysis Library: There are various tools in BRL-CAD for calculating weights, moments of inertia, and more. They're stand-alone applications. Turn them into a library. C HARD Yapp, Morrison
Celestial mechanics particle system: Simulate solar systems and galaxies. C/C++ MEDIUM Greenwald
Non-vacuum gravity simulator: Simulate falling to earth. C/C++ MEDIUM Greenwald, Morrison, Yapp
Polarization: We already do multispectral ray tracing, but don't simulate polarization effects. Implement ray splitting and filtering. C HARD Morrison, Rossberg
Density functions: Accurately represent everything from atmosphere to bone. Implement support for parametric density functions for homogenous materials. C HARD Rossberg, Morrison
Bending light: Think gravity wells and satellite cameras. C MEDIUM Morrison
Appleseed renderer integration: Appleseed is rendering infrastructure used by the film industry to make pretty pictures. Make it shoot rays at our native geometry with our ray trace library. C MEDIUM Morrison

<An Idea of Your Own>

Do you have an idea of your own? Maybe you need more ideas to inspire you? We're very open to areas of academic research, industry applications, and ideas that get you hooked on open source CAD development.

Requirements:

  • Passion for the task being suggested

OpenSCAD Projects

OpenSCAD is a parametric solid 3D modeling tool which uses a Domain Specific Language to specify designs as plain text. It is specifically designed with 3D printing in mind.

Languages/Tools Difficulty Contacts
Improve DXF Import and Export: Look into using an external library for DXF import (and export?). C++ MEDIUM Marius/Torsten
OpenSCAD Standard Library: Create a standard user-space OpenSCAD library. OpenSCAD MEDIUM Marius/Torsten
OpenGL framework: Rewrite the OpenGL rendering code to use a rendering framework. Focus on compatibility with OpenGL ES2 and rendering performance. C++ OpenGL MEDIUM Marius/Torsten
Persistent Caching: Implement a disk-based version of the internal memory caches C++ MEDIUM Marius/Torsten
Multi-threaded Geometry Evaluation: Implement multi-threaded evaluation of geometry. C++ MEDIUM Marius/Torsten
Survey of CSG algorithms: Review existing research, evaluate and prototype algorithms. C++ MEDIUM-HARD Marius/Torsten
Issue Handling: Day-to day issue and community management, fix incoming and existin issues. Good place to get started. C++ EASY Marius/Torsten
Test Framework Improvements: Improve tests and test framework. Good place to get started. C++ EASY-MEDIUM Marius/Torsten
SVG Import: Improve/finalize SVG import. C++, SVG MEDIUM Marius/Torsten
Larger tasks for particularly experienced people: Various harder tasks which are not fully specified and requires significant effort to design and implement. C++ HARD Marius/Torsten

The OpenSCAD team is also open to new ideas. Please get in touch to discuss your ideas and convince a mentor to back it.

LibreCAD Projects

LibreCAD is a free Open Source CAD application for Windows, Apple and Linux. Support and documentation is free from our large, dedicated community of users, contributors and developers. Please refer to LibreCAD GSoC 2015 ideas for more detailed description.


Languages Difficulty Contacts
LibreCAD 3 UI: Add GUI support for drawing and editing actions to start exposing it to end users. C++,Math MEDIUM TO HIGH LordOfBikes, ries
Improve Spline/Bézier Support C++,Math MEDIUM TO HIGH LordOfBikes, ries
Improve contour topology support: Hatching and area enclosed in a contour C++ MEDIUM LordOfBikes, ries
Improve precision and robustness of equation solvers C++ MEDIUM LordOfBikes, ries
Conic curve support C++ MEDIUM LordOfBikes, ries
SmartSnap: Adding and improve snap features for drawing C++ MEDIUM LordOfBikes, ries
Support for multiple units upon data entry C++ MEDIUM LordOfBikes

STEPcode Projects

Languages Difficulty Contacts
STEP Coverage Test: Write a program that links against STEPcode and generates a STEP output instantiating every entity for a given schema. Goal is a comprehensive program and data file for testing STEP import/export. ANY (C/C++, Python, Java, Perl, ...) EASY Mark, Charlie
STEP Incremental Loading: Basically take a work-in-progress to the next level. Modify the STEP parser to only read what it needs when it needs it, test, clean up, profile, and optimize. C++ EASY Mark, Charlie
STEP Minimal Examples: Create minimal examples for various schemas - such as AP214 or AP242 - in the style of ap203min C++ MEDIUM Mark, Charlie
STEP Multiple Protocol Parsing: Currently creates a parser that works with a specific application protocol (e.g., AP203, AP214). Make it work with multiple simultaneously. C++ MEDIUM Mark, Charlie
STEP Source Code Documentation: We already use doxygen, but could do much better. Improve code documentation and utilize additional doxygen features such as topic pages. Add a 'make doxygen' target to invoke doxygen. C/C++ EASY Mark, Charlie
STEP EXPRESS Documentation: Write 'exp2html', similar to exp2py or exp2cxx (python and C++ generators) but outputs graphs and hyperlinked documentation with JavaScript search. Output will include EXPRESS comments (this requires modifying the parser). C/C++, JavaScript MEDIUM Mark, Charlie
STEP Viewer: STEP is a common CAD file format supported by just about every major CAD system. Given we have an importer and an interface for displaying geometry, a stand-alone STEP file viewer has some great potential. C/C++ MEDIUM Mark, Charlie
STEP Code Refactoring: Split large files and functions, add unit tests, move contents of LISTdo loops into separate functions. C/C++ EASY Mark, Charlie
STEP Thread Safety and Performance: Modify the libraries to improve thread safety, increase performance using hotspot analysis C/C++ MEDIUM Mark, Charlie

Slic3r Projects

Slic3r is CAM desktop application for toolpath/G-code generation for 3D printers.

Languages Difficulty Contacts
Conditional G-code and arithmetic expressions parser: Implement a grammar parser for conditional and arithmetic expressions within custom G-code, maybe using Boost.Spirit or some other library. #3390 C++ Easy-Medium Alessandro/Joseph
Port the GUI to C++: The GUI is currently coded in Perl using wxWidgets and our goal is to have it ported to C++. The wxWidgets API is almost identical between Perl and C++, so it's an easy task. There are a couple things where we use the dynamic features of Perl which are trickier and interesting to port. C++/wxWidgets Easy Alessandro/Joseph
Port the SVGNest library to C++: The SVGNest library provides an algorithm for polygon nesting. It's written in JavaScript and a C++ port of it would improve Slic3r's auto-arrange feature. #3237 C++ Easy Alessandro/Joseph
Fix bugs of the Boost.Voronoi library: The good but unmaintained Boost.Voronoi library has a couple minor issues affecting Slic3r's results. Interesting task for learning the Voronoi algorithm and how to troubleshoot a computational geometry issue. #2948 C++ Medium Alessandro/Joseph
Wireframe printing: Implement the wireframe printing algorithm. #2274 C++ Medium Alessandro/Joseph
Automatic part rotation: Automatically rotate a part to make some face of the part the bottom. #3047 C++ Medium Alessandro/Joseph
Manual support creation: Allow users to place and move support pillars by clicking in the 3D GUI. #3062 C++/Perl/OpenGL Medium/Hard Alessandro/Joseph
Refactor the TriangleMesh class and support non-solid walls: Replace the internal mesh representation (currently based on admesh) using an existing 3D mesh library or implementing a half-edge structure; only use admesh for fixing models. Keep non-solid walls and slice them as single paths. Bonus: import SVG paths and position them freely using the GUI for printing as single extrusions. #3560 #3523 C++ Medium/Hard Alessandro/Joseph
Implement 3MF format read/write: Add the 3MF format for both reading and writing. #2811 C++ Easy Alessandro/Joseph
Non-planar printing: Implement techniques for non-planar printing. #3442 C++ Medium Alessandro/Joseph
Support surface colors and mixing extruders: Read surface colors from AMF or OBJ and keep them throughout the slicing process in order to generate G-code for mixing extruders. #3546 C++/Perl Hard Alessandro/Joseph
Clean the libslic3r API and write bindings for it: Expose the internal algorithms of Slic3r as a library and write bindings for Python, Perl etc. C++/any Easy Alessandro/Joseph
Write a Slic3r plugin for Grasshopper: Expose Slic3r functionality as many separate components that can be plugged in larger GH definitions (for example: slice a NURBS model in GH and feed the slices to the toolpath generation process in order to skip mesh generation, or provide flow calculation for people driving 5-axis robots with custom motion). This requires a fair amount of design work. C++ Medium/Hard Alessandro/Joseph

FreeCAD Projects

Language Difficulty Contact
Advanced FreeCAD test system : Create a framework for result file based comparisons and workbench specific comparators. Also creation of test cases should be simplified by a GUI or wizard. Python/C++ Medium Ickby
Topological Naming Project: Implementation of subshape identifiers based on creation history and update of topology class to work with those identifiers. C++ Hard Ickby
Direct modeling tools: Create a new layer of tools and objects, that work on top of existing Part-based 3D objects, that allow a user to graphically modify their geometry. Python/C++ Medium Yorik
FEM Post Processing based on VTK: Base the existing FEM VTK post processing on the updated SMESH data structure and design a python interface for it. Also improve integration into the workbench. C++ Medium Ickby
IPython notebook integration: Create a way to export the open inventor scenegraph as a JavaScript file and add functions for seamless interaction with the IPython display system C++, JavaScript, Python Easy Ickby
Integrate Cycles renderer: Add Blender's new Cycles renderer as a new render engine to the Raytracing Workbench C++ Medium Yorik
Stepwise integration of ElmerFem into FreeCAD should be done in three phases:

Phase 1 - New solver object for handling ElmerFEM execution in FEM-workbench. Phase 2 - Mapping of main ElmerSolver setting for mechanical simulations. Phase 3 - Give graphical access to a wide range of available ElmerSolver setting from within FreeCAD

Python/C++ Medium-Hard Bernd, HoWil
PartDesign Updates: Finish PartDesign port to new Body object, simplify the workflows and extend tools while making them more robust. C++, Python Medium Ickby
GSoC FEM Solver Z88: Extend the capabilities of FEM solver Z88OS in FreeCAD FEM workbench. Python Easy-Medium Bernd
GSoC FEM Unit Tests: Extend the unit tests of FreeCAD FEM workbench. Python Easy-Medium Bernd
GSoC Path/Robot Integration: Path is the CNC/CAM workbench. It currently lacks any simulation capability. Robot workbench is a tool for simulating industrial robots. Extend Path and Robot workbenches to support simulation of CNC operations in the Robot workbench. C++, Python Easy-Medium Yorik, sliptonic

Mentors

BRL-CAD operates under group mentorship. That means you can contact anyone, not just the person assigned to you, for assistance. The mailing list and IRC channel are the preferred communication methods.

  • Christopher Sean Morrison
    • brlcad on irc.freenode.net
    • Org admin, BRL-CAD open source project lead
  • Erik Greenwald
    • ``Erik on irc.freenode.net
    • Org admin, BRL-CAD core dev
  • Cliff Yapp
    • starseeker on irc.freenode.net
    • BRL-CAD Mentor, core dev
  • Daniel Rossberg
    • d_rossberg on irc.freenode.net
    • BRL-CAD Mentor, core dev, math expert
  • H.S. Rai
    • hsrai on irc.freenode.net
    • BRL-CAD Mentor, math expert
  • Tom Browder
    • BRL-CAD Mentor, analysis expert
  • Bryan Bishop
    • BRL-CAD Mentor, python guru
  • Isaac Kamga
    • Izakey on irc.freenode.net
    • BRL-CAD Mentor, C/C++ Programmer
  • Mohit Daga
    • zero_level irc.freenode.net
    • BRL-CAD Mentor, Computer Science Engineer
  • Mark Pictor
    • mpictor on irc.freenode.net
    • STEPcode Mentor
  • Charlie Stirk
    • cstirk
    • STEPcode Mentor
  • Marius Kintel
    • kintel on irc.freenode.net
    • OpenSCAD Mentor
  • Torsten Paul
    • teepee on irc.freenode.net
    • OpenSCAD Mentor
  • Ries van Twisk
    • ries on irc.freenode.net
    • LibreCAD Mentor
  • Armin Stebich
    • LordOfBikes on irc.freenode.net
    • LibreCAD Mentor
  • Alessandro Ranellucci
    • Sound on irc.freenode.net
    • Slic3r Mentor
  • Joseph Lenox
    • LoH on irc.freenode.net
    • Slic3r Mentor