Difference between revisions of "Deuces"

From BRL-CAD
(Implement a platform independent re-entrant sort function)
(Removed cylinder debug task)
 
(65 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
This is a list of succinct tasks that are expected to take most people familiar with the prerequisites less than two hours to complete.  It's a great starting point for anyone interested in contributing to BRL-CAD.
+
Below are tasks that are a great starting point for anyone interested in contributing to BRL-CAD. Most tasks can be completed in just a couple hours!  '''''No prior experience with BRL-CAD is required.''''' 
  
The tasks are all roughly the same complexity with '''''no prior BRL-CAD experience expected'''''A description is provided along with a list of references and files you'll probably need to edit.  Can we make it any easier?
+
Some tasks may take longer if you aren't set up or haven't done that type before, but all they all require about the same amount of experienced effortEach task has a description, references, and list of files you'll probably need.  Can we make it any easier? [https://brlcad.zulipchat.com Let us know].
  
= Getting Started =
+
= Get Set Up =
  
Contact us (via [[IRC]] or [[Mailing_Lists|brlcad-devel mailing list]]) if you have questions, comments, or ideas of your own you'd like to suggest.
+
We suggest you [[Compiling|compile BRL-CAD]] yourself or, if you have trouble with that, there's a virtual image with everything preconfigured, ready to go:
 
 
We've made an awesome virtual disk image that has everything you need preconfigured and ready to go:
 
  
 
# [https://sourceforge.net/projects/brlcad/files/BRL-CAD%20for%20Virtual%20Machines/ Download our BRL-CAD Virtual Machine (VM) disk image.]
 
# [https://sourceforge.net/projects/brlcad/files/BRL-CAD%20for%20Virtual%20Machines/ Download our BRL-CAD Virtual Machine (VM) disk image.]
 
# [https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads Install VirtualBox.]
 
# [https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads Install VirtualBox.]
# Import and start the VM, log in (the password is "Brlcad!" without the quotes).
+
# Import the disk image, start the VM, and log in (password is "Brlcad!" without quotes).
# Run "svn up brlcad.svn" and get started!
+
# Run "svn up brlcad-svn-trunk" and [[Compiling#Configure_your_Build|compile]].
  
=Pick a Task=
+
= Pick a Task =
  
We break down all tasks into one of five categories.  Don't be worried if the tasks all sound confusing to youJust pick one and start reading the references we've providedJoin IRC or our mailing list and ask questions.
+
Once set up, select any task that sounds interesting, read the references, and [https://brlcad.zulipchat.com talk with us] for help.  Don't worry if some words are confusing.  You got thisAll tasks can be completed by '''''anyone''''' but are grouped into the following five interest categories:
  
# Code (programming)
+
* Code (programming)
# Documentation and Training (writing)
+
* Documentation and Training (technical writing)
# Outreach and Research (graphics)
+
* Outreach and Research (graphics, marketing)
# Quality Assurance (testing)
+
* Quality Assurance (testing)
# User Interface (designing)
+
* User Interface (usability, design)
  
 
__TOC__
 
__TOC__
  
----
 
  
 
== Code ==
 
== Code ==
----
 
 
''Tasks related to writing or refactoring code''
 
''Tasks related to writing or refactoring code''
  
 
See the When You're Done section above for details on submitting your changes.
 
See the When You're Done section above for details on submitting your changes.
  
 
 
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Fix bounding box function for our polygonal mesh (BoT) primitive ===
 
 
BRL-CAD provides functions for its geometric primitives that define a bounding box - a box that completely encloses the volume described by the primitive.  Ideally, these boxes are as small as possible while still enclosing the primitive.  Currently the routine for BoTs is incorrect.  You can use stl-g, obj-g, or any of our other *-g converters to import BoT geometry for testing.
 
  
This task involves studying the current code for the function rt_bot_bbox() and determining what is causing the current inaccuracies (the mged 'bb' command is a good way to visualize primitive bounding boxes).  Make changes to produce a more optimal bounding box.  Reimplement it from scratch if you like.  The raytracing prep code in rt_bot_prep does prepare a better bounding box, so that is one place to check.
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 
+
| style="padding: 20px;" |
Code:
+
=== Close MGED only when both windows are closed ===
* src/librt/primitives/bot/bot.c
 
 
 
|}
 
 
 
 
 
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Close MGED when both windows are closed ===
 
  
BRL-CAD has an interactive geometry editor called MGED.  It's often the starting point for beginners and allows creation and manipulation of models using commands.  When ''mged'' is run, it creates 2 windows:  a text-console command window and an interactive graphics window.  When the user closes one of those windows, there is a bug.  Closing the graphics window closes the command window.
+
BRL-CAD has an interactive geometry editor called MGED.  It's often the starting point for beginners and allows creation and manipulation of models using commands.  When ''mged'' is run, it creates 2 windows:  a text console for commands and an interactive graphics window.  Currently, if you close the graphics window, it quits the application.
  
This task involves fixing this behavior so that ONLY closing ''both'' windows terminates the process properly and that closing either window does not take the other along with it.
+
This task involves change behavior so that MGED exits only after closing ''both'' windows.  Closing just the graphics window or text console should not quit MGED.
  
 
Code:
 
Code:
 
* src/mged/mged.c
 
* src/mged/mged.c
* src/tclscripts/mged/openw.c
+
* src/tclscripts/mged/openw.tcl
 +
* src/tclscripts/mged/bindings.tcl
  
|}
 
 
 
 
 
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Add MGED key-binding to reopen the command window ===
 
 
BRL-CAD has an interactive geometry editor called MGED. It's often the starting point for beginners and allows creation and manipulation of models using commands. When MGED is invoked, it creates 2 windows:  a text-console command window and an interactive graphics window.  If the user closes the text-console command window, they are left with the interactive graphics window.  There is presently no way (correct us if we're wrong) to get the text-console back without restarting mged.  A good way to test this is to run in classic mode and run the 'gui' command:
 
 
sushi:~ morrison$ mged -c test.g
 
BRL-CAD Release 7.22.0  Geometry Editor (MGED)
 
    Fri, 24 Aug 2012 00:02:42 -0400, Compilation 6
 
    morrison@sushi.local:/usr/brlcad/rel-7.22.0
 
 
attach (nu|X|ogl)[nu]? 
 
mged> gui
 
 
This task involves adding some mechanism, perhaps a simple key binding, to the graphics window so that you can get the command window back on-demand.
 
 
Code:
 
* src/mged/mged.c
 
* src/tclscripts/mged/openw.c
 
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
 
 
 
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
  
=== Implement a primitive surface area function ===
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 20px;" |
 +
=== Implement a primitive centroid function ===
  
BRL-CAD provides more than two dozen types of geometry "primitives" such as ellipsoids, boxes, and cones.  Every primitive is described by a collection of callback functions, for example rt_ell_bbox() returns the bounding box dimensions for an ellipsoid.  Wikipedia, Wolfram Mathworld, and various other math sites (and research papers) around the web include the equations for most of our basic primitives while others are a little more tricky to compute.
+
BRL-CAD provides more than two dozen types of geometry "primitives" such as ellipsoids, boxes, and cones.  Every primitive is described by a collection of callback functions, for example rt_'''ell'''_bbox() returns the bounding box dimensions for an '''ell'''ipsoid.  Wikipedia, Wolfram Mathworld, and various other math sites (and research papers) around the web include the equations for most of our basic primitives while others are more tricky to compute.
  
This task involves writing a new callback function that takes an rt_db_internal object and calculates the surface area (units are mm^2).  There are numerous examples in our code where we compute surface area for other primitives.  The primitives that do not already have a centroid callback are itemized in following.
+
This task involves writing a new callback function that takes an rt_db_internal object and calculates its centroid (as a point_t 3D point).  There are numerous examples in our code where we compute centroids for other primitives.  The primitives that do not already have a centroid callback are itemized in following.
  
 
References:
 
References:
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_area
+
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centroid
 
* http://mathworld.wolfram.com/
 
* http://mathworld.wolfram.com/
* http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=AD0274936
+
* include/raytrace.h: See ft_centroid callback defined in the rt_functab structure
* include/raytrace.h: See ft_surf_area callback defined in the rt_functab structure
 
 
 
 
 
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
==== ... surface area function for elliptical hyperboloids (EHY) ====
 
  
 
Code:
 
Code:
* src/librt/primitives/ehy/ehy.c
+
* src/librt/primitives/table.c
 +
* src/librt/primitives/[PRIMITIVE]/[PRIMITIVE].c
  
 +
 
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 
  
 
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
| style="padding: 20px;" |
|
+
=== Implement a primitive curvature function ===
==== ... surface area function for hyperboloids of one sheet (HYP) ====
 
  
Code:
+
BRL-CAD provides more than two dozen types of geometry "primitives" such as ellipsoids, boxes, and cones each described by a collection of callback functions, for example rt_'''sph'''_bbox() returns the bounding box dimensions for a '''sph'''ere.  Wikipedia, Wolfram Mathworld, and various other math sites (and research papers) around the web include the equations for most of our basic primitives while others are a little more tricky to compute.
* src/librt/primitives/hyp/hyp.c
 
  
|}
+
This task involves writing the callback function rt_xxx_curve() that computes the curvature at a given point on the surface of a primitive such as;
 +
* superell
 +
* cline
 +
* extrude
 +
* grip
 +
* metaball
 +
* hrt. 
 +
There are numerous examples in our code where we compute the curvature for other primitives like the ellipsoid, sphere, elliptical parabola, etc.
  
 
+
References:
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curvature
|
+
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radius_of_curvature_(mathematics)
==== ... surface area function for N-faced polysolid (ARBN) ====
+
* http://mathworld.wolfram.com/
 +
* include/raytrace.h: See the data structure that holds the curvature of a surface at a point (from Line 296) as well as the prototype for ft_curve() callback function defined in the rt_functab structure ( Line 2078).
  
 
Code:
 
Code:
* src/librt/primitives/arbn/arbn.c
+
* src/librt/primitives/table.c
 +
* src/librt/primitives/[PRIMITIVE]/[PRIMITIVE].c
  
|}
 
 
 
 
 
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
==== ... surface area function for extruded bitmaps (EBM) ====
 
 
Code:
 
* src/librt/primitives/ebm/ebm.c
 
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
 
 
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
==== ... surface area function for gridded volumes (VOL) ====
 
  
Code:
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
* src/librt/primitives/vol/vol.c
+
| style="padding: 20px;" |
 +
=== Implement a primitive UV-mapping callback ===
  
|}
+
BRL-CAD provides more than two dozen types of geometry "primitives" such as ellipsoids, boxes, and cones.  Every primitive is described by a collection of callback functions, for example rt_'''ell'''_bbox() returns the bounding box dimensions for an '''ell'''ipsoid. One of those functions describes a UV mapping of the object's surface, which is used for things like texture and bump mapping. An example of this is rt_ell_uv() in the src/librt/primitives/ell/ell.c source file for an ellipsoid.  Several of our more complex primitive types (such as BoT, NMG, and BREP/NURBS) do not presently implement a UV-mapping function leading to unexpected runtime behavior.
 
 
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
==== ... surface area function for super ellipsoids (SUPERELL) ====
 
  
Code:
+
This task involves implementing a UV-mapping callback for any of the primitives that do not already have a functional UV-callback defined.  Note that this is an advanced task that might take you more than a couple hours if you don't have solid coding skills, but it's ultimately just a few lines of code.  See other primitives that already implement a UV-mapping callback for reference.
* src/librt/primitives/superell/superell.c
 
  
|}
+
References:
 
+
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UV_mapping
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
* src/librt/primitives/[PRIMITIVE]/[PRIMITIVE].c, search for rt_*_uv() functions
|
 
==== ... surface area function for polygonal meshes (NMG) ====
 
  
 
Code:
 
Code:
* src/librt/primitives/nmg/nmg.c
+
* src/librt/primitives/extrude/extrude.c
 
+
* src/librt/primitives/table.c
|}
+
* include/rtgeom.h
  
 
 
 
 
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
==== ... surface area function for NURBS objects (BREP) ====
 
 
Code:
 
* src/librt/primitives/brep/brep.cpp
 
 
 
|}
 
|}
|}
 
 
 
 
 
 
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
  
=== Implement a primitive volume function ===
 
  
BRL-CAD provides more than two dozen types of geometry "primitives" such as ellipsoids, boxes, and cones.  Every primitive is described by a collection of callback functions, for example rt_ell_bbox() returns the bounding box dimensions for an ellipsoid.  Wikipedia, Wolfram Mathworld, and various other math sites (and research papers) around the web include the equations for most of our basic primitives while others are a little more difficult to compute.
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 20px;" |
 +
=== Fix elliptical torus triangulation ===
  
This task involves writing a new callback function that takes an rt_db_internal object and calculates the volume (units are mm^3).  There are numerous examples in our code where we compute volume for other primitivesThe primitives that do not already have a volume callback are itemized in following.
+
BRL-CAD has many 3D object types, one of them being an "Elliptical Torus"If you create a new MGED database and run this sequence of commands, it'll crash due to excessive recursion:
  
References:
+
<pre>
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volume
+
make eto eto
* http://mathworld.wolfram.com/
+
tol norm 1
* http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=AD0274936
+
facetize eto.bot eto
* include/raytrace.h: See ft_volume callback defined in rt_functab structure
+
</pre>
  
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
This task's goal is to reproduce, identify, and fix the bug so that detailed eto tessellation completes successfully. To get started, see the rt_eto_tess() function in src/librt/primitives/eto/eto.c and the facetize command logic in libged.
|
 
==== ... volume function for elliptical hyperboloids (EHY) ====
 
  
 
Code:
 
Code:
* src/librt/primitives/ehy/ehy.c
+
* src/librt/primitives/eto/eto.c, <- you'll probably need to modify this file
 +
* src/libged/facetize/facetize.cpp
  
 +
&nbsp;
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
==== ... volume function for superellipsoids (SUPERELL) ====
 
  
Code:
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
* src/librt/primitives/superell/superell.c
+
| style="padding: 20px;" |
 +
=== Implement a function that evaluates volume with spherical sampling ===
  
|}
+
Implement this function:
&nbsp;
 
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
==== ... volume function for extruded bitmaps (EBM) ====
 
  
Code:
+
    int estimate_volume(struct db_i *dbip,
* src/librt/primitives/ebm/ebm.c
+
                        struct directory *dp,
 +
                        size_t min_samples,
 +
                        double confidence);
  
|}
+
For this function, you'll want to read up on some of BRL-CAD's basic data structures by looking at headers in the include/rt directory or by reading our [https://brlcad.org/docs/api/ API documentation].  Calling rt_db_internal() and rt_bound_internal() will get you the bounding box around geometry from which you can calculate a bounding sphere.  Once you have the bounding sphere, randomly generate a set of min_samples*2 points on the surface of the sphere.  Shoot a ray through those points using rt_shootray(), as in the ray tracing [[Example_Application|example]].  Keep track of a volume estimate and keep shooting sets of min_samples rays until the estimate is less than the specified confidence value.  Volume of a sphere is (4/3 * pi * r^3) so dividing that by num_samples will give a per-ray factor and multiplying all hit thicknesses by that factor will give a running volume estimate.
  
&nbsp;
+
References:
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
* https://brlcad.org/docs/api/
|
+
* https://brlcad.org/wiki/Example_Application
==== ... volume function for triangle meshes (BOT) ====
+
* https://stackoverflow.com/questions/9600801/evenly-distributing-n-points-on-a-sphere
 +
* https://karthikkaranth.me/blog/generating-random-points-in-a-sphere/
  
Code:
 
* src/librt/primitives/bot/bot.c
 
 
|}
 
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
==== ... volume function for solid polygonal meshes (NMG) ====
 
 
Code:
 
* src/librt/primitives/nmg/nmg.c
 
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
==== ... volume function for extruded sketches (EXTRUDE) ====
 
  
Code:
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
* src/librt/primitives/extrude/extrude.c
+
| style="padding: 20px;" |
  
|}
+
=== Implement a function to return an object's color ===
  
|}
+
CAD geometry can have colors specified in a number of ways including directly on that object, in a parent object, and in a lookup table.  For this task, you're going to implement a function that reports the color of an object given a path to that object:
&nbsp;
 
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
  
=== Implement a primitive centroid function ===
+
    int get_color(struct db_i *dbip, const char *path, struct bu_color *rgb);
  
BRL-CAD provides more than two dozen types of geometry "primitives" such as ellipsoids, boxes, and cones. Every primitive is described by a collection of callback functions, for example rt_ell_bbox() returns the bounding box dimensions for an ellipsoidWikipedia, Wolfram Mathworld, and various other math sites (and research papers) around the web include the equations for most of our basic primitives while others are a little more tricky to compute.
+
You'll need to iteratively consider each object named on the specified path (e.g., "/car/wheel/tire.r/torus") starting with "car" and working your down the path (i.e., 'wheel', 'tire.r', and then 'torus') to 1) see if a color is set on that object and 2) see if that color overrides lower-level colors (i.e., is inherited down the path), and 3) if it's a region object, whether there is a color set in the region tableYou'll need to db_lookup() each object on the path to get access to its data.
  
This task involves writing a new callback function that takes an rt_db_internal object and calculates its centroid (as a point_t 3D point).  There are numerous examples in our code where we compute centroids for other primtiivesThe primitives that do not already have a centroid callback are itemized in following.
+
For this function, you'll want to read up on some of BRL-CAD's basic data structures by looking at headers in the include/rt directory or by reading our [https://brlcad.org/docs/api/ API documentation]This task may seem complicated if you're not familiar with C/C++ APIs, data structures, or hierarchical paths, so don't be shy [https://brlcad.zulipchat.com asking] questions.
  
 
References:
 
References:
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centroid
+
* https://brlcad.org/docs/api/
* http://mathworld.wolfram.com/
 
* include/raytrace.h: See ft_centroid callback defined in the rt_functab structure
 
 
 
Code:
 
* src/librt/primitives/table.c
 
* src/librt/primitives/[PRIMITIVE]/[PRIMITIVE].c
 
  
 +
Code References:
 +
* src/libged/display_list.c
 +
* src/libged/color/color.c
 +
* src/librt/prep.c
  
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
==== ... centroid function for right hyperbolic cylinders (RHC) ====
 
|}
 
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
==== ... centroid function for gridded volumes (VOL) ====
 
|}
 
&nbsp;
 
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
==== ... centroid function for N-faced polysolids (ARBN) ====
 
|}
 
&nbsp;
 
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
==== ... centroid function for extruded sketches (EXTRUDE) ====
 
|}
 
&nbsp;
 
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
==== ... centroid function for superellipsoids (SUPERELL) ====
 
|}
 
&nbsp;
 
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
==== ... centroid function for solid polygonal meshes (NMG) ====
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
  
|}
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
&nbsp;
+
| style="padding: 20px;" |
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
  
=== Implement a primitive UV-mapping callback ===
+
=== Stub in an OpenVDB object ===
  
BRL-CAD provides more than two dozen types of geometry "primitives" such as ellipsoids, boxes, and cones.  Every primitive is described by a collection of callback functions, for example rt_ell_bbox() returns the bounding box dimensions for an ellipsoid.  One of those functions describes a UV mapping of the object's surface, which is used for things like texture and bump mappingAn example of this is rt_ell_uv() in the src/librt/primitives/ell/ell.c source file for an ellipsoid.  Several of our more complex primitive types (such as BoT, NMG, and BREP/NURBS) do not presently implement a UV-mapping function leading to unexpected runtime behavior.
+
BRL-CAD has dozens of distinct primitive object typesFor this task, you're going to implement the bare minimum to necessary to create a new object with the "make" command in MGED.
  
This task involves implementing a UV-mapping callback for any of the primitives that do not already have a functional UV-callback definedNote that this is an advanced task that might take you more than a couple hours if you don't have solid coding skills, but it's ultimately just a few lines of code. See other primitives that already implement a UV-mapping callback for reference.
+
The best way to achieve this task is by searching for a keyword for another primitive (e.g., 'grep -r -i superell .') and implementing your new object the same way.  Start with the 'make' command itself in src/libged/make/make.c and add "vdb" alongside where you find one of the other primitive types (e.g., superell)To get that to compile, you'll have to add new symbols you've defined into header files (e.g., include/rt/rtgeom.h). You'll eventually need to implement barebones logic in src/librt/primitives/vdb too.
 
 
References:
 
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UV_mapping
 
* src/librt/primitives/[PRIMITIVE]/[PRIMITIVE].c, read the rt_*_uv() function
 
 
 
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
==== ... UV-mapping for extruded sketches (EXTRUDE) ====
 
  
 
Code:
 
Code:
* src/librt/primitives/extrude/extrude.c
+
* include/rt/defines.h <- needs an ID
* src/librt/primitives/table.c
+
* include/rt/geom.h <- needs an "internal" i.e., in-memory structure
* include/rtgeom.h
+
* src/libged/make/make.c <- needs to recognize "vdb" as a valid type
 +
* src/librt/primitives/table.cpp <- needs an entry
 +
* src/librt/primtiives/vdb <- needs a dir
 +
* src/librt/primitives/vdb/vdb.c <- needs _import5/_export5 callbacks, maybe _describe too
  
|}
 
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
 
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Implement a platform independent re-entrant sort function ===
 
  
The classic C library qsort() does not support a context parameter.  A work around is to store the context information in a static variable.  However, this solution is not thread save and may result in unpredictable behavior.
+
== Documentation and Training ==
 
 
There are platform specific sort functions qsort_r() in incompatible versions for BSD and GNU and qsort_s() for MSVC.  Your task is to implement a bu_sort() function for BRL-CAD which is platform independent.
 
 
 
Code:
 
* src/libbu/sort.c
 
  
The new sort function could look like this:
 
void bu_sort(genptr_t array, size_t nummemb, size_t sizememb, int (*compare)(const_genptr_t, const_genptr_t, genptr_t), genptr_t context);
 
|}
 
&nbsp;
 
 
----
 
 
== Documentation and Training ==
 
----
 
 
''Tasks related to creating/editing documents and helping others learn more about BRL-CAD''
 
''Tasks related to creating/editing documents and helping others learn more about BRL-CAD''
  
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
|
+
| style="padding: 20px;" |
 
=== Add missing documentation (for any ONE command) ===
 
=== Add missing documentation (for any ONE command) ===
  
Line 368: Line 229:
 
* doc/docbook/system/man1/en/*.xml
 
* doc/docbook/system/man1/en/*.xml
  
 +
&nbsp;
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Write an article "BRL-CAD for dummies" ===
 
  
Although BRL-CAD has extensive documentation, still it needs a short and simple document which is particularly built for dummies.
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 20px;" |
 +
=== Complete our "Intro to BRL-CAD Modeling" tutorial and extend it ===
  
This task involves writing a article named '''BRL-CAD for dummies'''. This article should start with the installation process, if there is any existing installation guide for dummies, provide a link to it. The main motive of this article to empower dummy to make his/her first model using BRL-CAD. One thing to be kept in mind while writing this article is that this article is mainly concentrated for dummies. So use simple language to an extent and if you need to mention some technical term, first explain that term.
+
We've developed two short and simple tutorials for introducing new users to modeling with BRL-CAD.
  
The output of this task can be a pdf, html, doc, odt or any other document file that contains this article. Go through the link provided. Use screenshots and images to make it look attractive so that the reader is not bored.
+
This task involves doing one of the tutorials (they take about an hour) and then extending it with a new section or making some other improvement. At the end of the tutorial are several optional advanced "exercise left to the reader", for example.  Write a half-page step-by-step for one of the exercises left to the reader. Include screenshots and images to make it look nice so the reader is not bored.
  
 
Reference:
 
Reference:
* http://brlcad.org/wiki/Documentation
+
* Come [https://brlcad.zulipchat.com talk with us] to make sure you get a copy of the latest version.
 +
* https://brlcad.org/w/images/9/90/Intro_to_BRL-CAD.pdf
 +
* https://brlcad.org/w/images/c/cf/Introduction_to_MGED.pdf
 +
* ... there's another new one, but you have to ask for it ...
  
 +
&nbsp;
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Create a book layout for Doc Camp Book ===
 
  
BRL-CAD was selected to participate in the 2013 Google Summer of Code Doc Camp. A team of contributors got together in California, brainstormed, and wrote an entire book for BRL-CAD in just a few days. They created a guide for contributing to BRL-CAD.
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 20px;" |
  
In this task, you have to research the different styles Doc Camp book would need (i.e., code blocks, other blockquotes, special quotes for commands, for manpages, etc.) and everything around like a front page, the font, etc.
+
=== Translate "Contributors Guide To BRL-CAD" To Any Language ===
  
You can design some sample pages of Doc Camp book, that consists all the different types of article and provide with it's pdf. Also a separate document should be provided that contains information about the layout, which font is used and the size of font at different places.  
+
People interested in improving BRL-CAD sometimes find themselves lost in a sea of information. In all, BRL-CAD has more than a million words of documentation across hundreds of manual pages, dozens of tutorials and examples, hundreds of wiki pages, dozens of technical papers, and other resources. There are literally thousands of features and this can sometimes pose problems.
  
Reference:
+
In 2013, a team of contributors got to California and worked on an entire book titled "Contributors Guide To BRL-CAD" in just a few days. This great resource needs to be translated to other languages to attract developers from other lingual backgrounds (who don't read English ) to contribute to BRL-CAD.
* http://brlcad.org/wiki/Documentation
 
* [link to Doc Camp book]
 
|}
 
  
&nbsp;
+
This task involves translating the chapters/sections of the "Contributors Guide To BRL-CAD" into a language of your choice such as Mandarin, French, Chinese, Spanish, German, Hindi, Arabic, Russian, etc. Chapters/Sections include
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Write a step by step tutorial on modelling a toy car through BRL-CAD ===
 
  
This task involves writing a tutorial for modelling a car in BRL-CAD. This tutorial should be easy for a dummy to understand. Use screenshots and images for each step. The toy car model should be such that it can be printed using a 3d printer. As it's a toy car, make it look attractive and the one that is liked by children.
+
* Feature Overview
 +
* Working with our Code
 +
* What code to work on
 +
* How to contribute
 +
* .... (Just to name a few )
  
The output of this task can be a pdf, html, doc, odt or any other document file that contains this article. Go through the link provided. Don't forget to use screenshots and images as it will make it look attractive and the reader will not bored reading.
+
The output of this task can be a pdf, html, doc, odt or any other document file that contains the translated article.Images in the original document (see link in Reference below) should not be changed ! only text should be.
  
Go through existing tutorials to make your own.
+
Reference:
 +
* http://en.flossmanuals.net/_booki/contributors-guide-to-brl-cad/contributors-guide-to-brl-cad.pdf
  
Reference:
+
&nbsp;
* http://brlcad.org/wiki/Documentation
 
* http://brlcad.org/w/images/c/cf/Introduction_to_MGED.pdf
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Document MGED's 'saveview' command options ===
 
 
BRL-CAD's primary geometry editor (MGED) provides hundreds of commands.  Two of those commands are the savewview and loadview commands that write current view settings out to a text file and read them back in.  The saveview command provides -e -i -l and -o options, but they are not documented.
 
 
This task involves writing documentation for those missing options.  Consult the source code to see what they do and add the corresponding sections into our Docbook XML doc just like we do in our other documentation files.  Test compilation to make sure your XML syntax is correct.
 
 
References:
 
* src/libged/saveview.c
 
* doc/docbook/system/mann/en/*.xml
 
 
Code:
 
* doc/docbook/system/mann/en/saveview.xml
 
  
|}
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 20px;" |
  
&nbsp;
 
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
 
=== Write a "BRL-CAD Commands Quick Reference" document ===
 
=== Write a "BRL-CAD Commands Quick Reference" document ===
  
Line 450: Line 291:
 
* http://brlcad.org/wiki/Documentation
 
* http://brlcad.org/wiki/Documentation
 
* http://brlcad.org/w/images/5/52/MGED_Quick_Reference_Card.pdf
 
* http://brlcad.org/w/images/5/52/MGED_Quick_Reference_Card.pdf
* http://appletree.or.kr/quick_reference_cards/CVS-Subversion-Git/git-cheat-sheet-large.png
+
* [http://appletree.or.kr/quick_reference_cards/CVS-Subversion-Git/git-cheat-sheet-large.png git example]
* http://www.stdout.org/~winston/latex/latexsheet-0.png
+
* [http://www.stdout.org/~winston/latex/latexsheet-0.png latex example]
* http://img.docstoccdn.com/thumb/orig/524314.png
+
* [http://img.docstoccdn.com/thumb/orig/524314.png another example]
* http://www.inmensia.com/files/pictures/internal/CheatSheetDrupal4.7.png
+
* [http://www.inmensia.com/files/pictures/internal/CheatSheetDrupal4.7.png drupal example]
* http://www.phpmagicbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/php-reference-card.jpg
+
* [http://www.phpmagicbook.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/php-reference-card.jpg php example]
  
 +
&nbsp;
 
|}
 
|}
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
 
|
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 20px;" |
 +
 
 
=== Doxygen cleanup ===
 
=== Doxygen cleanup ===
  
Line 471: Line 315:
 
* http://www.stack.nl/~dimitri/doxygen/
 
* http://www.stack.nl/~dimitri/doxygen/
  
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
&nbsp;
|
+
 
 +
{| style="background-color:#efefef; border-style: solid; border-width: 2px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 10px;" |
 
==== ... doxygen cleanup for LIBBU ====
 
==== ... doxygen cleanup for LIBBU ====
  
Line 482: Line 328:
 
* misc/Doxyfile
 
* misc/Doxyfile
  
 +
&nbsp;
 
|}
 
|}
 +
&nbsp;
  
&nbsp;
+
{| style="background-color:#efefef; border-style: solid; border-width: 2px;" width="100%"
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
| style="padding: 10px;" |
|
 
 
==== ... doxygen cleanup for LIBWDB ====
 
==== ... doxygen cleanup for LIBWDB ====
  
Line 497: Line 344:
 
* misc/Doxyfile
 
* misc/Doxyfile
  
 +
&nbsp;
 
|}
 
|}
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
 
|
+
{| style="background-color:#efefef; border-style: solid; border-width: 2px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 10px;" |
 
==== ... doxygen cleanup for LIBRT ====
 
==== ... doxygen cleanup for LIBRT ====
  
Line 512: Line 361:
 
* src/librt/binunif
 
* src/librt/binunif
 
* misc/Doxyfile
 
* misc/Doxyfile
|}
 
|}
 
  
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Write a manual page for MGED's "brep" command ===
 
 
BRL-CAD's MGED geometry editor provides hundreds of commands.  One of those commands for manipulating and visualizing geometry is the "brep" command.
 
 
This task involves writing a manual page for that command in the Docbook XML format.  There are lots of examples to follow.
 
 
References:
 
* doc/docbook/system/mann/en/*.xml
 
* http://brlcad.org/wiki/Documentation (contains intro to mged and cheat sheets)
 
* bin/mged  (you'll need to run this to use the "brep" command)
 
* bin/csgbrep  (will create a slew of 'brep'/nurbs objects for the "brep" command)
 
 
Code:
 
 
* doc/docbook/system/mann/en/brep.xml  (you write this)
 
* doc/docbook/system/mann/en/CMakeLists.txt  (you edit this)
 
 
Running "make" in a build directory will compile your documentation into html and man page format so you can validate the syntax and formatting.  See [[Compiling]] for help.
 
 
 
|}
 
|}
 +
&nbsp;
  
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Write up Wiki page tutorial on our Volumetric Primitive ===
 
 
BRL-CAD provides a couple dozen distinct primitives.  Each primitive is defined by a set of parameters.  Several of the more complex primitives have a wiki page describing them in more detail with an example on how to create them.
 
 
This task involves writing up a page on the VOL primitive.  Figure out how to use it (see the "in" command), create an example input data set, and write up a wiki page on exactly what steps are needed similar to our other wiki pages:
 
 
References:
 
* http://brlcad.org/wiki/DSP
 
* http://brlcad.org/wiki/Sketch
 
* http://brlcad.org/wiki/EBM  <-- particularly useful as the data is similar for VOL
 
 
Show how to create a VOL with at least two layers/slices.  Include images like the other examples.  Put the write-up at http://brlcad.org/wiki/VOL
 
 
 
|}
 
|}
 +
&nbsp;
  
&nbsp;
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
| style="padding: 20px;" |
|
+
=== Add images to our wiki page on Volumetric objects ===
=== Write a wiki tutorial on how to create a polygonal mesh (NMG) manually ===
 
  
 
BRL-CAD provides a couple dozen distinct primitives.  Each primitive is defined by a set of parameters.  Several of the more complex primitives have a wiki page describing them in more detail with an example on how to create them.
 
BRL-CAD provides a couple dozen distinct primitives.  Each primitive is defined by a set of parameters.  Several of the more complex primitives have a wiki page describing them in more detail with an example on how to create them.
  
This task involves writing up a page on the NMG polygonal mesh primitive.  Figure out how to use it (not a simple task, will require some trial and error), create an example input, and write up a wiki page on exactly what steps are needed similar to our other wiki pages:
+
This task involves adding images to our page for the VOL primitive.  You'll need to first complete the tutorial and save images for each step.  Add the images to the wiki page.
  
 
References:
 
References:
 +
* http://brlcad.org/wiki/VOL
 
* http://brlcad.org/wiki/DSP
 
* http://brlcad.org/wiki/DSP
 +
* http://brlcad.org/wiki/Sketch
 
* http://brlcad.org/wiki/EBM
 
* http://brlcad.org/wiki/EBM
* http://brlcad.org/wiki/Sketch <-- particularly useful as neither NMG nor sketch are meant to be created manually
 
 
Note the "facetize" command in mged will convert an existing object into NMG format.  The get/put commands should help from there like the sketch tutorial.
 
 
Show how to create an NMG cube or wedge or similar simple shape.  Include images like the other examples.  Put the write-up at http://brlcad.org/wiki/NMG
 
  
 +
&nbsp;
 
|}
 
|}
 +
&nbsp;
  
&nbsp;
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
| style="padding: 20px;" |
|
 
 
=== Fix Image Formatting in BRL-CAD's DocBook Documentation (any ONE large document or 4 smaller documents) ===
 
=== Fix Image Formatting in BRL-CAD's DocBook Documentation (any ONE large document or 4 smaller documents) ===
  
Line 626: Line 436:
 
Code:
 
Code:
 
* doc/docbook
 
* doc/docbook
 
|}
 
 
  
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Transcribe a COM-GEOM Geometry Model from a PDF report to an ASCII file ===
 
 
We have scans of a number of reports documenting early geometric models from the analysis system that preceeded BRL-CAD.  These reports often contain the actual geometry defining the model as pages and pages of numbers, but the quality is sufficiently poor that optical character recognition is not reliable.
 
 
This task is to attempt the manual transcription of the MEP-021A Generator Set model described in the report "A Combinatorial Geometry Computer Description of the MEP-021A Generator Set" (see the References list below for the link that will let you download the PDF).  One possible approach is to use Acrobat Reader or some other PDF reader select and copy the OCR text, paste that to a text file as a starting point, and then manually correct it.  There may also be some patterns that will allow for semi-automated processing (for example, if 5 zeros in a row are commonly replaced with the character "O" instead of 0, a search and replace is in order.)  However you wish to approach it is fine, but remember that the goal is not just the extraction of the OCR text but the production of an accurate transcription of the file.  The OCR text can be used as a starting point but is not likely to be accurate.
 
 
At the end of the day, the goal is to have a file that can be fed to BRL-CAD's comgeom-g importer to generate an accurate .g file.  If the generator conversion goes well, there are a significant number of other models (some of them considerably more complex) that we are interested in that can be used to create more tasks of this nature.
 
 
References:
 
* http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA073408
 
 
Code:
 
* src/conv/comgeom
 
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
----
 
 
==Outreach and Research ==
 
----
 
''Tasks related to community management, outreach/marketing, studying problems, and recommending solutions''
 
 
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
  
=== Investigate permuted vertex lists from g-iges + iges-g ===
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 20px;" |
 +
=== Find 5 bugs in OGV ===
  
BRL-CAD has a geometry exporter and importer for the International Graphics Exchange Standard (IGES) file format. If you run our g-iges exporter on some geometry, then run iges-g on that same geometry to import it back to BRL-CAD format, the geometry will have permuted vertex lists.  Particularly for geometry already in polygonal format, such as our NMG or BoT geometry, this conversion should result in identical geometry but presently does not.
+
Online Geometry Viewer is a web based application with which you can see 3D .g models in browser without the use of any plugins. Your task will be to deploy OGV locally and find 5 bugs or errors in it.  
  
This task involves investigating why this occurs, reporting (in detail) why it occurs, and if obvious, making a recommendation on how to fix the problem.
+
Links:
 
+
https://github.com/BRL-CAD/OGV-meteor/
Code:
 
* src/conv/iges
 
 
 
|}
 
  
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
 
=== Create a high quality png of BRL-CAD logo ===
 
 
This task involves re-designing BRL-CAD logo and providing with a high quality png that has transparent background. Check out the following link to get a basic idea about logo.
 
 
Logo Refernces:
 
* http://brlcad.org/images/angelov_256.png
 
* http://brlcad.org/d/node/92
 
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Write article on BRL-CAD's code hardening efforts ===
 
  
We've been working for several years on "code hardening", improving the quality of BRL-CAD's source code through a variety of best practices and code cleanup efforts.
+
==Outreach and Research ==
 
+
''Tasks related to community management, outreach/marketing, studying problems, and recommending solutions''
This task has you write an article that succinctly summarizes all of our efforts.  You'll need to become familiar with our HACKING file as well as read up on our various hardening efforts. You're welcome to ask our devs questions over IRC for more information too.
 
 
 
Include at least one picture.  Article should be 300-900 words long and be fully proof-read before submitting (check for grammar and spelling mistakes, please).
 
 
 
Resources:
 
* http://brlcad.org/wiki/Code_Cleanup
 
* http://brlcad.org/d/node/96
 
* http://www.coverity.com/library/pdf/coverity-scan-2011-open-source-integrity-report.pdf
 
 
 
Add the article to http://brlcad.org/wiki/Community_Publication_Portal
 
 
 
|}
 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;
 
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Write an article soliciting a Windows platform maintainer ===
 
 
 
BRL-CAD runs on a number of platforms and distributes releases many times a year.  Creating a release for any particular binary platform, like Windows or Mac OS X or Linux, is delegated to a "release maintainer".  We currently have maintainers for a number of platforms but do not have one for Windows.  Basically, it's a volunteer job, it's a lot of work, but not very hard and very rewarding.  There are thousands of binary downloads every month, so lots of people benefit from a maintainer's efforts. 
 
 
 
This task involves writing a brief solicitation article announcing our interest for a maintainer, describing the responsibilities involved, and telling them how to take up this responsibility.  Come talk to us on IRC for more specific details.
 
 
 
Resources:
 
* http://svn.code.sf.net/p/brlcad/code/brlcad/trunk/HACKING
 
(See the release section near the bottom to see what maintainers do)
 
 
 
Add the article to http://brlcad.org/wiki/Community_Publication_Portal
 
 
 
|}
 
 
 
&nbsp;
 
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Create an ISST screenshot or animation ===
 
 
 
Everyone loves to see screenshots and animations of software in action. We use both in our marketing and outreach. See some of the examples below that we already have.
 
 
 
Create an awesome screenshot and/or animation of our 'isst' tool in action. It's an interactive geometry viewer interface.  It should be graphically interesting and give some sense of capability.  You should import a visually complex and interesting model with LOTS of polygons and detail.
 
 
 
References:
 
* http://brlcad.org/gallery/d/19-4/MGED.jpg
 
* http://brlcad.org/tmp/archer.png
 
* http://brlcad.org/gallery/s/screenshots/
 
* http://www.google-melange.com/gci/task/view/google/gci2012/8019211
 
 
 
Note that we have several screenshot tasks.  Note you may have to go through some or our basic MGED tutorials (see docs section on our website) just to be able to display geometry.  Finally, give others a chance if you already completed one of the other screenshot tasks. ;)
 
|}
 
 
 
&nbsp;
 
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Generate a code coverage report (lcov+gcov) ===
 
 
 
This task involves setting up and generating an lcov code coverage analysis on BRL-CAD.  After learning how to use the tool, discuss with the developers what portion of the code will be most useful to analyze, or scan these:
 
 
 
"benchmark"
 
"make test"
 
"make regress"
 
Submit the results.
 
 
 
|}
 
 
 
&nbsp;
 
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Model BRL-CAD logo in BRL-CAD ===
 
 
 
The BRL-CAD Logo depicts two interlocked nodes. Modeling the new Logo in BRL-CAD in CSG (without NURBS, without polygons) requires some careful arrangement, but can provide an attractive three dimensional rendering that we can use for a number of purposes..
 
 
 
The output of this task will be a .g file of BRL-CAD logo and a rendered image. The two segments you model MUST be two or more regions, ideally hinged together (you can have center pins or not, you decide).  This is your opportunity as an artist and 3D magician to come up with an interesting yet faithful interpretation.
 
 
 
References:
 
* http://brlcad.org/images/angelov_256.png
 
* http://brlcad.org/d/node/92
 
* Introduction to MGED at http://brlcad.org/wiki/Documentation
 
 
 
Note that there are other logo modeling tasks and yours must start from scratch and be completely original. If we get a hint that yours was based off of or used measurements from some other model, you will be barred.
 
 
 
|}
 
  
&nbsp;
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
| style="padding: 20px;" |
|
 
 
=== Profile NURBS prep performance ===
 
=== Profile NURBS prep performance ===
  
Line 790: Line 472:
  
 
Running "rt -o file.png -s32" on the system command line (not inside mged) should minimize the ray overhead or you can specifically isolate the prep phase we care about.  Prep is the time between when rt is run where it opens a window until the first pixels are fired and pixels start filling in.
 
Running "rt -o file.png -s32" on the system command line (not inside mged) should minimize the ray overhead or you can specifically isolate the prep phase we care about.  Prep is the time between when rt is run where it opens a window until the first pixels are fired and pixels start filling in.
 +
 +
&nbsp;
 
|}
 
|}
 +
&nbsp;
  
&nbsp;
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
| style="padding: 20px;" |
|
 
 
=== Continue investigating GMP integration ===
 
=== Continue investigating GMP integration ===
  
Line 805: Line 489:
 
Building on the previous GCI task work, take it to the next step.  Try setting a vector to 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 and 0.1, 0.1, 0.1 and get proper values to print.  Change the V3ARGS() macro if needed.  If that all works, try to get bn_dist_pt3_pt3() to work.  Report and discuss your progress.
 
Building on the previous GCI task work, take it to the next step.  Try setting a vector to 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 and 0.1, 0.1, 0.1 and get proper values to print.  Change the V3ARGS() macro if needed.  If that all works, try to get bn_dist_pt3_pt3() to work.  Report and discuss your progress.
  
 +
&nbsp;
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Create prototype 2D Drawing ===
 
  
BRL-CAD provides limited services for drafting features including the production of 2D CAD drawings (blueprints).
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 20px;" |
 +
=== Upgrade OpenNURBS, report issues ===
  
This task involves designing a 2D CAD drawing prototype.  The prototype MUST capture a set of design requirements and follows industry conventions.
+
BRL-CAD uses a customized OpenNURBS library for advanced geometry but it's out of date.  For this task, you're going to download the latest OpenNURBS code and upgrade the sources we bundle.  The easiest way is probably to move src/other/openNURBS to src/other/openNURBS.backup, and then put the latest OpenNURBS release into src/other/openNURBS.
  
If you've never seen a real blueprint drawing before, then this task might be too hard for youYour result needs to refer to ISO 128 and/or ASME Y14.41 or other standard drawing elements.  
+
Once that's done, you'll need to add the src/other/openNURBS.backup/CMakeLists.txt file and make sure the list of files it has matches the files in src/other/openNURBS.  Last but not least, re-run cmake and make sure it compilesYou may need to consult the newer openNURBS makefile to see if there are other edits needed in the CMakeLists.txt file.
  
Basically, identifying a style of drawing that we should support including pointing out the critical elements to be included on each drawing, their location, size, placement, etc.
+
Save output from any commands you run because you'll probably encounter an error, and that's okay.  Just submit logs of all output so we can figure out next steps.
  
 
References:
 
References:
* http://brlcad.org/design/drafting
+
* https://github.com/mcneel/opennurbs
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_128
 
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASME_Y14.41-2003
 
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometric_Dimensioning_and_Tolerancing
 
* http://www.ptc.com/WCMS/files/45691/en/4307_FoundationXE_DS.pdf
 
  
Note that this is a "redo" of a previous GCI task.  Read the discussion thread and his work to help ensure you don't make similar mistakes. ;-)
+
Code:
 
+
* src/other/openNURBS <- replace existing with latest openNURBS from github
http://www.google-melange.com/gci/task/view/google/gci2012/7985229
 
  
 +
&nbsp;
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Model a toy car with wheels and axles in BRL-CAD ===
 
  
This task involves modeling a toy car in BRL-CAD. The toy car should be modeled in such a way that it can be printed using a 3d printer. The shape of toy car should be thought by keeping the word TOY in mind. As this shape would be 3d printed, all the axle and wheel arrangement should be done.
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 
+
| style="padding: 20px;" |
The output of this task would be a rendered image, and .g file of the toy car. If you wish to write a step by step tutorial of creating this model, search for it as another GCI task is there to write a tutorial.
 
 
 
References
 
* Introduction to MGED at http://brlcad.org/wiki/Documentation
 
|}
 
 
 
&nbsp;
 
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
 
=== Design a T-Shirt for BRL-CAD ===
 
=== Design a T-Shirt for BRL-CAD ===
  
Line 854: Line 520:
  
 
Logo References
 
Logo References
* http://brlcad.org/images/angelov_256.png
+
* [https://brlcad.org/img/logo_color.png BRL-CAD Logo]
* http://brlcad.org/d/node/92
 
  
 +
&nbsp;
 
|}
 
|}
 +
&nbsp;
  
&nbsp;
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
| style="padding: 20px;" |
|
 
 
=== Design a coffee mug for BRL-CAD ===
 
=== Design a coffee mug for BRL-CAD ===
  
This task involves designing a coffee mug for BRL-CAD. Make it look good, so that one can use it while working on BRL-CAD. Look over some great coffee mug designs before starting to work on this. It would be great if the design on coffee mug has some special meaning.
+
This task involves designing a coffee mug for BRL-CAD. Make it look good or at least interesting, and make it in BRL-CAD. Look over some coffee mug designs before starting to work on this. Verify that your mug is valid geometry by running the "rtcheck" command.  
  
 
Logo References
 
Logo References
* http://brlcad.org/images/angelov_256.png
+
* [https://brlcad.org/img/logo_color.png BRL-CAD Logo]
* http://brlcad.org/d/node/92
 
  
 +
&nbsp;
 
|}
 
|}
 +
&nbsp;
  
&nbsp;
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
| style="padding: 20px;" |
|
 
 
=== Design BRL-CAD sticker ===
 
=== Design BRL-CAD sticker ===
  
Line 880: Line 546:
  
 
Logo References
 
Logo References
* http://brlcad.org/images/angelov_256.png
+
* [https://brlcad.org/img/logo_color.png BRL-CAD Logo]
* http://brlcad.org/d/node/92
 
  
 +
&nbsp;
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Design BRL-CAD phone/tablet back cover ===
 
 
This task involves designing a BRL-CAD phone/tablet cover.
 
While submitting your design, provide the sample phone cover, tablet cover with the design and rendered png or jpg image of the sticker design. Try to have a special meaning of design, and the concept should be creatively illustrated.
 
 
Logo References
 
* http://brlcad.org/images/angelov_256.png
 
* http://brlcad.org/d/node/92
 
  
|}
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 20px;" |
 +
=== Design a wallpaper / desktop image for BRL-CAD ===
  
&nbsp;
+
This task involves designing a desktop background for BRL-CAD enthusiasts. The main idea of your wallpaper should be to showcase one or more features of BRL-CAD. Be intentional and able to defend/describe your choice of color, layout, and other aspects of the wallpaper design.
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Design a wallpaper set for BRL-CAD ===
 
 
 
This task involves designing a set of wallpapers for BRL-CAD. The central idea of each wallpaper should represent any feature of BRL-CAD. Try to design a minimum of 5 wallpapers but if you have more than 5 designs than you are welcomed.  
 
 
   
 
   
Try to different resolutions of each wallpaper.
+
Try to make sure the wallpaper works across a broad selection of screen resolutions.
  
Check the following wallpapers for inspiration.
+
Search the web for wallpapers inspiration such as:
 
* http://www.smashingmagazine.com/tag/wallpapers/
 
* http://www.smashingmagazine.com/tag/wallpapers/
  
 
Logo References
 
Logo References
* http://brlcad.org/images/angelov_256.png
+
* [https://brlcad.org/img/logo_color.png BRL-CAD Logo]
* http://brlcad.org/d/node/92
 
  
 +
&nbsp;
 
|}
 
|}
 +
&nbsp;
  
 +
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 20px;" |
 +
=== Model a Lightcycle in BRL-CAD using CSG ===
  
&nbsp;
+
The movie Tron is an iconic computer graphics film that used CSG primitives for a majority of the movie's 3D virtual world.  The film is famous for "lightcycle" vehicles that were allegedly modeled using 57 primitives and/or Boolean operations.  For this task, see if you can recreate the masterpiece in BRL-CAD.
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Create Iron Man Arc Reactor Model in BRL-CAD ===
 
 
 
This task involves creating Arc Reactor as seen in hollywood movie Iron-Man. You will have to create two versions of the Arc Reactor one glowing and another non glowing.  
 
 
   
 
   
Check this model for inspiration
+
See this lightcycle discussion thread
* http://grabcad.com/library/iron-man-arc-reactor-request
+
* http://www.tron-sector.com/forums/default.aspx?a=top&id=336281
 
 
  
 +
&nbsp;
 
|}
 
|}
 
+
&nbsp;
 
 
----
 
  
 
== Quality Assurance ==
 
== Quality Assurance ==
----
 
 
''Tasks related to testing and ensuring code is of high quality''
 
''Tasks related to testing and ensuring code is of high quality''
  
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
|
+
| style="padding: 20px;" |
 
=== Fix single-precision floating point crash ===
 
=== Fix single-precision floating point crash ===
  
Line 972: Line 620:
 
* src/liboptical/sh_light.c
 
* src/liboptical/sh_light.c
  
 +
&nbsp;
 
|}
 
|}
 +
&nbsp;
  
&nbsp;
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
| style="padding: 20px;" |
|
 
 
=== Fix closedb ===
 
=== Fix closedb ===
  
Line 995: Line 644:
 
* src/mged/mged.c
 
* src/mged/mged.c
  
 +
&nbsp;
 
|}
 
|}
 +
&nbsp;
  
&nbsp;
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
| style="padding: 20px;" |
|
+
=== Create a utility library (LIBBU) API unit test ===
=== Create an utility library (LIBBU) API unit test ===
 
  
 
There are more than 300 library functions in our core LIBBU library.  As a core library used by nearly every one of BRL-CAD's tools, testing those functions for correct behavior is important.
 
There are more than 300 library functions in our core LIBBU library.  As a core library used by nearly every one of BRL-CAD's tools, testing those functions for correct behavior is important.
  
This task involves implementing a new unit test for any of LIBBU's source files that do not already have a unit test defined.  The test should run all of the public functions and be hooked into our build system.  We have lots of existing unit tests to follow as an example.
+
This task involves implementing new unit tests for any of LIBBU's source files that do not already have a unit test defined.  The test should run all of the public functions and be hooked into our build system.  We have lots of existing unit tests to follow as examples.
  
 
References:
 
References:
Line 1,015: Line 665:
 
* src/libbu/tests/CMakeLists.txt
 
* src/libbu/tests/CMakeLists.txt
  
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
&nbsp;
|
 
==== ... unit test for LIBBU badmagic.c ====
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
==== ... unit test for LIBBU bomb.c ====
 
|}
 
|}
 
  
&nbsp;
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
| style="padding: 20px;" |
|
+
 
=== Create numerics library (LIBBN) API unit test ===
+
=== Create Numerics library (LIBBN) API unit tests ===
  
 
There are more than 300 library functions in our core LIBBN library.  As a core library used by nearly every one of BRL-CAD's tools, testing those functions for correct behavior is important.
 
There are more than 300 library functions in our core LIBBN library.  As a core library used by nearly every one of BRL-CAD's tools, testing those functions for correct behavior is important.
  
This task involves implementing a new unit test for any of LIBBN's source files that do not already have a unit test defined.  The test should run all of the public functions and be hooked into our build system.  We have lots of existing unit tests to follow as an example.
+
This task involves implementing new unit tests for any of LIBBN's source files that do not already have a unit test defined.  The test should run all of the public functions and be hooked into our build system.  We have lots of existing unit tests to follow as examples.
  
 
References:
 
References:
Line 1,040: Line 683:
 
* include/vmath.h
 
* include/vmath.h
 
* src/libbn/*.c
 
* src/libbn/*.c
* src/libbu/tests/*.c <-- note libbu, not libbn for examples
+
* src/libbn/tests/*.c <-- check this directory for examples
 +
* src/libbu/tests/*.c <-- Note: Also check this too for more examples.
  
 
Code:
 
Code:
Line 1,046: Line 690:
 
* src/libbn/tests/CMakeLists.txt
 
* src/libbn/tests/CMakeLists.txt
  
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
+
<b> Note </b>
|
+
A valid task will constitute writing a basic test for each function in the following libbn/ files.
==== ... unit test for LIBBN axis.c ====
+
 
|}
+
&nbsp;
 +
 
 +
{| style="background-color:#efefef; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 20px;" |
 +
==== ... unit tests for LIBBN anim.c ====
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
==== ... unit test for LIBBN qmath.c ====
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
==== ... unit test for LIBBN rand.c ====
 
|}
 
|}
 
  
 +
{| style="background-color:#efefef; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 20px;" |
 +
==== ... unit tests for LIBBN axis.c ====
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Find, reliably reproduce, and report any bug in Archer ===
 
 
Archer is our new modeling interface and a soon to merge with our long-standing MGED geometry editor.  It undoubtedly has bugs.  It's your job to find one, but do so in a manner that is so obvious that one of the other devs will be able to instantly reproduce the bug given your specific instructions.  Find a way to make archer crash, become unresponsive, or otherwise behave incorrectly.  You will have to explore the tool with minimal documentation.
 
 
This task involves filing a bug report with verifiable and reproducible steps that clearly demonstrate the bug.  It can't be a bug already reported or otherwise documented nor can it be merely behavior you don't like.
 
 
References:
 
* archer
 
* Introduction to MGED at http://brlcad.org/wiki/Documentation (many of the mged commands are available in some fashion within archer)
 
* BUGS file in any source/binary distribution
 
* http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?atid=640802&group_id=105292&func=browse
 
 
|}
 
|}
 +
&nbsp;
  
 +
{| style="background-color:#efefef; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 20px;" |
 +
==== ... unit tests for LIBBN qmath.c ====
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Reproduce any 10 unconfirmed open bug reports ===
 
 
BRL-CAD presently has approximately 75 open bug reports of which 50 are unassigned.  Read the comments and status to see if the bug has been confirmed/reproduced. 
 
 
This task involves going through those reports and REPRODUCE at least 10 of the ones that have not been confirmed.  When you can reproduce the issue being reported, you'll comment on the thread to state as much and attach any data you used to reproduce the crash.
 
 
References:
 
* https://sourceforge.net/tracker/?limit=100&func=&group_id=105292&atid=640802&assignee=100&status=1&submit=Filter
 
 
|}
 
|}
 +
&nbsp;
  
 
+
{| style="background-color:#efefef; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
----
+
| style="padding: 20px;" |
 
+
==== ... unit tests for LIBBN rand.c ====
== User Interface ==
 
----
 
''Tasks related to user experience research or user interface design and interaction''
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Design a prototype CAD GUI layout ===
 
 
BRL-CAD's usability is notoriously complex and "expert friendly". MGED and Archer are the main geometry editors, with drastically different user interfaces.
 
 
This task involves evaluating the features provided by MGED and Archer, then designing a new GUI layout that encompasses their features while improving usability. Rationale for design decisions and layout should be provided.
 
 
References:
 
* http://brlcad.org/design/gui
 
 
Provide one or more mock-up images (png, pdf, psd, html, whatever)
 
 
Search for other similar GCI tasks to avoid making a similar design.  You can use any tools, but your work must be original.
 
 
|}
 
|}
 +
&nbsp;
  
 +
{| style="background-color:#efefef; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 20px;" |
 +
==== ... unit tests for LIBBN vector.c ====
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Create an ISST screenshot or animation ===
 
 
Everyone loves to see screenshots and animations of software in action. We use both in our marketing and outreach. See some of the examples below that we already have.
 
 
Create an awesome screenshot and/or animation of our 'isst' tool in action. It's an interactive geometry viewer interface.  It should be graphically interesting and give some sense of capability.  You should import a visually complex and interesting model with LOTS of polygons and detail.
 
 
References:
 
* http://brlcad.org/gallery/d/19-4/MGED.jpg
 
* http://brlcad.org/tmp/archer.png
 
* http://brlcad.org/gallery/s/screenshots/
 
* http://www.google-melange.com/gci/task/view/google/gci2012/8019211
 
 
Note that we have several screenshot tasks.  Note you may have to go through some or our basic MGED tutorials (see docs section on our website) just to be able to display geometry.  Finally, give others a chance if you already completed one of the other screenshot tasks. ;)
 
 
 
|}
 
|}
 +
&nbsp;
  
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Categorize all of BRL-CAD's commands into a spreadsheet ===
 
 
BRL-CAD is a suite of more than 400 processing tools, image tools, geometry converters, and more. There is an existing spreadsheet that characterizes all of the available commands in terms of inputs, outputs, and options, but there is insufficient characterization of BRL-CAD's commands as to how they logically group and work together.
 
 
This task involves building up a spreadsheet that lists all of our commands, describing a finite set of command categories, and characterizing all commands into those categories while filling in the spreadsheet with details for each command.
 
 
References:
 
* A spreadsheet template will be provided.
 
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Redesign MGED/Archer's Menu ===
 
  
BRL-CAD's geometry editing applications, like most graphical applications, have an application menu with a variety of features, capabilities, and options, but with little attention to cohesive design.
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 20px;" |
  
Review the menus for MGED and Archer.  Design a new menu system based on both of them that eliminates confusion, is easier to navigate, and has menu options more logically grouped together.
+
=== Find, reliably reproduce, and report any bug in Archer ===
  
References:
+
Archer is our new modeling interface and a soon to merge with our long-standing MGED geometry editor.  It undoubtedly has bugs.  It's your job to find one, but do so in a manner that is so obvious that one of the other devs will be able to instantly reproduce the bug given your specific instructions.  Find a way to make archer crash, become unresponsive, or otherwise behave incorrectly.  You will have to explore the tool with minimal documentation.
* mged
 
* archer
 
  
Provide screenshots or detailed text indicating what menu options should be available and what exactly is on each menu.
+
This task involves filing a bug report with verifiable and reproducible steps that clearly demonstrate the bug. It can't be a bug already reported or otherwise documented nor can it be merely behavior you don't like.
 
 
|}
 
 
 
&nbsp;
 
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Create Wordpress theme for BRL-CAD website ===
 
 
 
BRL-CAD's website was recently redesigned.  The current website uses Drupal and Mediawiki.  Our new website will be using Wordpress and Mediawiki.
 
 
 
This task involves creating a custom Wordpress theme based on our new website design.
 
  
 
References:
 
References:
* http://cpp-tricks.com/brlcad/
+
* archer
 
+
* Introduction to MGED at http://brlcad.org/wiki/Documentation (many of the mged commands are available in some fashion within archer)
|}
+
* BUGS file in any source/binary distribution
 +
* http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?atid=640802&group_id=105292&func=browse
  
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Migrate Drupal site to Wordpress ===
 
 
BRL-CAD's main website content runs on Drupal.  There are a lot of articles, user accounts, and other information contained within this installation of Drupal.
 
 
This task involves setting up an installation of Wordpress on our production server and migrating the data from Drupal into the Wordpress site.
 
 
References:
 
* http://brlcad.org/d/
 
 
This task requires that you establish an account on one of our servers.  There is a setup process involved.  Join us on IRC for details.
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Create a CSS only version of BRL-CAD Logo ===
 
  
BRL-CAD's logo is very simple and can be easily created with CSS3, such a logo would be a great asset to the new design of BRL-CAD's website.
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 20px;" |
 +
=== Reproduce any 10 unconfirmed open bug reports ===
  
This task involves at minimum creating a bunch of CSS styles (preferrably a SASS mixin) which result into BRL-CAD's logo. You can take inspiration from
+
BRL-CAD presently has approximately 75 open bug reports of which 50 are unassigned.  Read the comments and status to see if the bug has been confirmed/reproduced.
  
http://css-tricks.com/examples/ShapesOfCSS/
+
This task involves going through those reports and REPRODUCE at least 10 of the ones that have not been confirmed.  When you can reproduce the issue being reported, you'll comment on the thread to state as much and attach any data you used to reproduce the crash.
  
You can check the logo at
+
References:
 
+
* https://sourceforge.net/tracker/?limit=100&func=&group_id=105292&atid=640802&assignee=100&status=1&submit=Filter
http://cpp-tricks.com/brl-cad/
 
 
 
|}
 
  
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Create a CAD inspired icon-set for BRL-CAD website ===
 
 
BRL-CAD's new website design uses lot of icons. It would be great if these icons have the look and feel of CAD/CAM in it.
 
 
So the task consists of making an icon set including icons for:-
 
* All the menu buttons (About,Downloads,Documentation,Community, Blog, Gallery)
 
* Sign-Up & Log-In icons
 
* Major Social Media Icons
 
 
Few things to keep in mind:-
 
*All icons should somehow adopt the look and feel of CAD.
 
*They all should be in PNG/AI/SVG format.
 
*The icons need not be complexed or textured, though long shadowed flat icons would be appreciated.
 
 
References
 
*http://www.awwwards.com/flat-long-shadows-step-by-step-tutorial-resources-and-examples.html
 
* http://cpp-tricks.com/brlcad/
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Create a graphical mock-up for wiki pages of BRL-CAD ===
 
  
BRL-CAD's website is undergoing a change. BRL-CAD needs a new design for it's wiki pages.
+
== User Interface ==
 +
''Tasks related to user experience research or user interface design and interaction''
  
This task requires you to create a graphical (png or jpeg) mock-up of BRL-CAD's wiki pages in any Graphics Manipulations software like GIMP. The mock up should have a color scheme based on the new logo of BRL-CAD, and a design that's consistent with the new website design (http://cpp-tricks.com/brlcad/). As the whole website design is responsive (adapts to the different screen sizes) so design for wiki is expected the same way.
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 20px;" |
 +
=== Create an ISST screenshot or animation ===
  
Take a look at wiki pages here
+
Everyone loves to see screenshots and animations of software in action. We use both in our marketing and outreach. See some of the examples below that we already have.
*http://brlcad.org/wiki/Main_Page
 
|}
 
  
&nbsp;
+
Create an awesome screenshot and/or animation of our 'isst' tool in action. It's an interactive geometry viewer interface.  It should be graphically interesting and give some sense of capability.  You should import a visually complex and interesting model with LOTS of polygons and detail.  Note you may have to go through some or the MGED tutorials (see Docs on our website).
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Create a graphical mock-up for BRL-CAD's Blog ===
 
  
BRL-CAD's website is undergoing a change. BRL-CAD needs a new design for it's Blog pages.
+
References:
 
+
* https://brlcad.org/gallery/index.php?/category/12
This task requires you to create a graphical (png or jpeg) mock-up of BRL-CAD's blog in any Graphics Manipulations software like GIMP. The mock up should have a color scheme based on the new logo of BRL-CAD, and a design that's consistent with the new website design (http://cpp-tricks.com/brlcad/). As the whole website design is responsive (adapts to the different screen sizes) so blog design is expected the same way. You have to make design for
 
* Blog Archives
 
* Blog Post Excerpts (paginated)
 
* A single Post with comments
 
 
 
A typographically well set, clean and minimal design will be appreciated.
 
 
 
|}
 
  
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Create a graphical mock-up for BRL-CAD's Documentation pages ===
 
 
Documentation is part of wiki pages as per now, you can see it at
 
http://brlcad.org/wiki/Documentation
 
 
The task requires you to create a graphical or HTML & CSS/SASS mockup for the  documentation page of BRL-CAD. As it is a wiki page so the mock up created for wiki pages can be used. It should be consistent with main wiki design but at same time different from rest of wiki pages. You can incorporate some content from BRL-CAD's doc book too. 
 
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Create a custom wikimedia skin for BRL-CAD ===
 
  
BRL-CAD's website is undergoing a change. BRL-CAD needs a new design for it's Wiki pages.
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 20px;" |
  
BRL-CAD uses media-wiki as the underlying software for the wiki. This taks needs you to create a custom media-wiki skin for BRL-CAD. This media-wiki skin must be based on the graphical mock-up created for it (though there are no restrictions in improvising) and consistent with new website design.
+
=== Categorize commands into a spreadsheet ===
  
References
+
BRL-CAD is a suite of more than 400 commands, processing tools, image tools, geometry converters, and more. MGED also has a command-line with hundreds of commands too. Help us reorganize one of those command sets.
*http://cpp-tricks.com/brlcad/
 
*http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual:Skinning/Tutorial
 
  
|}
+
This task involves creating a spreadsheet that lists all commands and groups them together into a finite set of categories or labels.  This spreadsheet will help us identify places where commands can be consolidated, commands we might want to consider removing, common groupings for documentation, etc. 
  
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Create a web based interactive timeline giving historical tour of BRL-CAD ===
 
 
BRL-CAD has history of decades. It would be great to show that history in form of an interactive timeline.
 
 
You can do it using any web technology you are comfortable with. I would prefer something like http://plugins.jquery.com/b1njTimeline/ to ease your work. It should be interactive, I should be able to browse through and click on dates and get the details of the events. The color scheme used should be in consistent with the website design. Usage of appropriate imagery would be preferred.
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
===  Design a Cover Photo for Facebook page (and other social networks) ===
 
  
BRL-CAD got it's logo changed, and it's website is undergoing a change. So this re-branding of BRL-CAD also requires a good, well designed and attractive cover photo for the BRL-CAD's Facebook page or other Social Media Appearances. It should feature a good tagline telling some killer feature of BRL-CAD, BRL-CAD's new logo and/or some illustration/image regarding the feature highlighted in tagline.
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 20px;" |
  
It should be consistent with the color scheme of our new website design.
+
===  Design a Cover Photo for Facebook (and other social media) ===
  
New website design
+
BRL-CAD website and marketing materials are constantly undergoing change.  Effective marketing requires well designed and attractive imagery. Imagery ideally should showcase some feature of BRL-CAD, some highlight, something visually interesting and compelling.
*http://cpp-tricks.com/brlcad/
 
  
|}
+
References:
 +
* https://www.facebook.com/brlcad
  
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
 
===  Design a banner ad for BRL-CAD ===
 
 
BRL-CAD is one of the oldest open source communities. This community has a good following, so we want to give a chance to everyone so that they can show their support to the community by adding a banner ad in their website. You have to create a banner ad that can be embedded in the website by copy pasting some simple lines of code (basically an iframe).
 
 
Such a banner ad can also be used in various sections of our own website.
 
 
The task requires you to create a CSS3 based animated horizontal and vertical banner add, highlighting some feature of BRL-CAD or making some call to action. This call to action can be joining mailing list, or signing up for community, or link to latest post etc.
 
 
For Inspiration and tutorial refer
 
*http://tympanus.net/Tutorials/AnimatedWebBanners/
 
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Creating Motion Typography video for BRL-CAD  ===
 
 
BRL-CAD has a lot of great features that can be highlighted. A motion typography video highlighting these features would be a wonderful addition to the front page of website.
 
  
This task requires you to create a motion typography video that will convince user to give BRL-CAD a try, it could be titled something like "x reasons to choose BRL-CAD" or anything similar (give your creative minds a flight). The video should not be more than 2 minutes.
+
{| style="background-color:#fefefe; border-style: solid; border-width: 4px;" width="100%"
 +
| style="padding: 20px;" |
 +
=== Create a video for BRL-CAD ===
  
For inspiration about what a motion typography, see
+
Watching someone else use software is incredibly helpful to some.  Create a screen-cast video for BRL-CAD that showcases some  feature, goes over steps involved in creating some model, or shows how to accomplish some other task.
*http://vimeo.com/24715531
 
  
|}
+
You'll need to install BRL-CAD on your computer and use it in the video.  Create or import some model and make a recording.
  
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Create a screen-cast for BRL-CAD  ===
 
 
Getting started with BRL-CAD is sometimes not so smooth. A screen-cast giving a tour of BRL-CAD's GUI and the steps involved in creating the first model will make it easy for users to get started.
 
 
For this task you need to install BRL-CAD on your computer. Create a very basic model in it and record your screen as you create the model. It should also give a tour of BRL-CAD's workspace. You can choose model of your choice. Keep something very basic and easy for the first time users.
 
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
 
&nbsp;
 
&nbsp;
{| style="background-color:#ffffff;" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" border="2" width="100%"
 
|
 
=== Loading Google charts from API  ===
 
 
A basic wrapper of GCharts has been implemented a while ago : https://bitbucket.org/suryajith/benchmark/src/a27dd8c05d6819a527650e06a63076599d2e0d66/libs/charting.py?at=default With the google charts improving their API system which wasn't around then, see if the code could be optimized so to get the charts the optimal way.
 
 
Reference:
 
*https://developers.google.com/chart/interactive/docs/index
 
 
 
|}
 
----
 
  
 
= When You're Done =
 
= When You're Done =
----
 
  
 
For non-code, just send us your file(s).  For code changes, you will be expected to [[Patches|provide a patch file]].  Make sure you ''read'' your patch file before submitting it.  Make sure your patch file will apply cleanly to an unmodified checkout of BRL-CAD:
 
For non-code, just send us your file(s).  For code changes, you will be expected to [[Patches|provide a patch file]].  Make sure you ''read'' your patch file before submitting it.  Make sure your patch file will apply cleanly to an unmodified checkout of BRL-CAD:

Latest revision as of 11:51, 7 February 2021

Below are tasks that are a great starting point for anyone interested in contributing to BRL-CAD. Most tasks can be completed in just a couple hours! No prior experience with BRL-CAD is required.

Some tasks may take longer if you aren't set up or haven't done that type before, but all they all require about the same amount of experienced effort. Each task has a description, references, and list of files you'll probably need. Can we make it any easier? Let us know.

Get Set Up[edit]

We suggest you compile BRL-CAD yourself or, if you have trouble with that, there's a virtual image with everything preconfigured, ready to go:

  1. Download our BRL-CAD Virtual Machine (VM) disk image.
  2. Install VirtualBox.
  3. Import the disk image, start the VM, and log in (password is "Brlcad!" without quotes).
  4. Run "svn up brlcad-svn-trunk" and compile.

Pick a Task[edit]

Once set up, select any task that sounds interesting, read the references, and talk with us for help. Don't worry if some words are confusing. You got this. All tasks can be completed by anyone but are grouped into the following five interest categories:

  • Code (programming)
  • Documentation and Training (technical writing)
  • Outreach and Research (graphics, marketing)
  • Quality Assurance (testing)
  • User Interface (usability, design)

Contents


Code[edit]

Tasks related to writing or refactoring code

See the When You're Done section above for details on submitting your changes.


Close MGED only when both windows are closed[edit]

BRL-CAD has an interactive geometry editor called MGED. It's often the starting point for beginners and allows creation and manipulation of models using commands. When mged is run, it creates 2 windows: a text console for commands and an interactive graphics window. Currently, if you close the graphics window, it quits the application.

This task involves change behavior so that MGED exits only after closing both windows. Closing just the graphics window or text console should not quit MGED.

Code:

  • src/mged/mged.c
  • src/tclscripts/mged/openw.tcl
  • src/tclscripts/mged/bindings.tcl

 

 

Implement a primitive centroid function[edit]

BRL-CAD provides more than two dozen types of geometry "primitives" such as ellipsoids, boxes, and cones. Every primitive is described by a collection of callback functions, for example rt_ell_bbox() returns the bounding box dimensions for an ellipsoid. Wikipedia, Wolfram Mathworld, and various other math sites (and research papers) around the web include the equations for most of our basic primitives while others are more tricky to compute.

This task involves writing a new callback function that takes an rt_db_internal object and calculates its centroid (as a point_t 3D point). There are numerous examples in our code where we compute centroids for other primitives. The primitives that do not already have a centroid callback are itemized in following.

References:

Code:

  • src/librt/primitives/table.c
  • src/librt/primitives/[PRIMITIVE]/[PRIMITIVE].c

 

 

Implement a primitive curvature function[edit]

BRL-CAD provides more than two dozen types of geometry "primitives" such as ellipsoids, boxes, and cones each described by a collection of callback functions, for example rt_sph_bbox() returns the bounding box dimensions for a sphere. Wikipedia, Wolfram Mathworld, and various other math sites (and research papers) around the web include the equations for most of our basic primitives while others are a little more tricky to compute.

This task involves writing the callback function rt_xxx_curve() that computes the curvature at a given point on the surface of a primitive such as;

  • superell
  • cline
  • extrude
  • grip
  • metaball
  • hrt.

There are numerous examples in our code where we compute the curvature for other primitives like the ellipsoid, sphere, elliptical parabola, etc.

References:

Code:

  • src/librt/primitives/table.c
  • src/librt/primitives/[PRIMITIVE]/[PRIMITIVE].c

 

 

Implement a primitive UV-mapping callback[edit]

BRL-CAD provides more than two dozen types of geometry "primitives" such as ellipsoids, boxes, and cones. Every primitive is described by a collection of callback functions, for example rt_ell_bbox() returns the bounding box dimensions for an ellipsoid. One of those functions describes a UV mapping of the object's surface, which is used for things like texture and bump mapping. An example of this is rt_ell_uv() in the src/librt/primitives/ell/ell.c source file for an ellipsoid. Several of our more complex primitive types (such as BoT, NMG, and BREP/NURBS) do not presently implement a UV-mapping function leading to unexpected runtime behavior.

This task involves implementing a UV-mapping callback for any of the primitives that do not already have a functional UV-callback defined. Note that this is an advanced task that might take you more than a couple hours if you don't have solid coding skills, but it's ultimately just a few lines of code. See other primitives that already implement a UV-mapping callback for reference.

References:

Code:

  • src/librt/primitives/extrude/extrude.c
  • src/librt/primitives/table.c
  • include/rtgeom.h

 

 


Fix elliptical torus triangulation[edit]

BRL-CAD has many 3D object types, one of them being an "Elliptical Torus". If you create a new MGED database and run this sequence of commands, it'll crash due to excessive recursion:

make eto eto
tol norm 1
facetize eto.bot eto

This task's goal is to reproduce, identify, and fix the bug so that detailed eto tessellation completes successfully. To get started, see the rt_eto_tess() function in src/librt/primitives/eto/eto.c and the facetize command logic in libged.

Code:

  • src/librt/primitives/eto/eto.c, <- you'll probably need to modify this file
  • src/libged/facetize/facetize.cpp

 

 

Implement a function that evaluates volume with spherical sampling[edit]

Implement this function:

   int estimate_volume(struct db_i *dbip, 
                       struct directory *dp,
                       size_t min_samples,
                       double confidence);

For this function, you'll want to read up on some of BRL-CAD's basic data structures by looking at headers in the include/rt directory or by reading our API documentation. Calling rt_db_internal() and rt_bound_internal() will get you the bounding box around geometry from which you can calculate a bounding sphere. Once you have the bounding sphere, randomly generate a set of min_samples*2 points on the surface of the sphere. Shoot a ray through those points using rt_shootray(), as in the ray tracing example. Keep track of a volume estimate and keep shooting sets of min_samples rays until the estimate is less than the specified confidence value. Volume of a sphere is (4/3 * pi * r^3) so dividing that by num_samples will give a per-ray factor and multiplying all hit thicknesses by that factor will give a running volume estimate.

References:

 

 

Implement a function to return an object's color[edit]

CAD geometry can have colors specified in a number of ways including directly on that object, in a parent object, and in a lookup table. For this task, you're going to implement a function that reports the color of an object given a path to that object:

   int get_color(struct db_i *dbip, const char *path, struct bu_color *rgb);

You'll need to iteratively consider each object named on the specified path (e.g., "/car/wheel/tire.r/torus") starting with "car" and working your down the path (i.e., 'wheel', 'tire.r', and then 'torus') to 1) see if a color is set on that object and 2) see if that color overrides lower-level colors (i.e., is inherited down the path), and 3) if it's a region object, whether there is a color set in the region table. You'll need to db_lookup() each object on the path to get access to its data.

For this function, you'll want to read up on some of BRL-CAD's basic data structures by looking at headers in the include/rt directory or by reading our API documentation. This task may seem complicated if you're not familiar with C/C++ APIs, data structures, or hierarchical paths, so don't be shy asking questions.

References:

Code References:

  • src/libged/display_list.c
  • src/libged/color/color.c
  • src/librt/prep.c

 

 

Stub in an OpenVDB object[edit]

BRL-CAD has dozens of distinct primitive object types. For this task, you're going to implement the bare minimum to necessary to create a new object with the "make" command in MGED.

The best way to achieve this task is by searching for a keyword for another primitive (e.g., 'grep -r -i superell .') and implementing your new object the same way. Start with the 'make' command itself in src/libged/make/make.c and add "vdb" alongside where you find one of the other primitive types (e.g., superell). To get that to compile, you'll have to add new symbols you've defined into header files (e.g., include/rt/rtgeom.h). You'll eventually need to implement barebones logic in src/librt/primitives/vdb too.

Code:

  • include/rt/defines.h <- needs an ID
  • include/rt/geom.h <- needs an "internal" i.e., in-memory structure
  • src/libged/make/make.c <- needs to recognize "vdb" as a valid type
  • src/librt/primitives/table.cpp <- needs an entry
  • src/librt/primtiives/vdb <- needs a dir
  • src/librt/primitives/vdb/vdb.c <- needs _import5/_export5 callbacks, maybe _describe too

 

 

Documentation and Training[edit]

Tasks related to creating/editing documents and helping others learn more about BRL-CAD

Add missing documentation (for any ONE command)[edit]

BRL-CAD is an extensive system with more than 400 commands and more than a million pages of documentation, but there are approximately 120 commands that are entirely undocumented:

a-d archer asc2g asc2pix bot-bldxf bottest brep_cube brep_simple brickwall btclsh burst bw-a bw-d bwish c-d chan_add clutter contours d-a damdf dauto dauto2 d-bw dconv ddisp d-f dfft d-i dmod double-asc dpeak dsel dsp_add dstat d-u dwin euclid_format euclid_unformat fbgammamod f-d fence fhor f-i g-adrt g-euclid1 g-jack globe g-off i-a i-d i-f ihist imod istat jack-g kurt lowp molecule nmgmodel nmg-sgp off-g pipe pipetest pix2g pix3filter pixcount pixelswap pixembed pixfields pixfieldsep pixflip-fb pixpaste pix-spm pix-yuv plstat pyramid rawbot remapid rlesortmap rletovcr room rtcell rtexample rtfrac rtrad rtsil rtsrv script-tab sketch solshoot sphflake spltest spm-fb ssampview syn tea tea_nmg testfree texturescale torii ttcp tube txyz-pl u-a u-bw u-d u-f umod ustat vcrtorle vegitation wall wdb_example xbmtorle xyz-pl yuv-pix

This task involves writing basic documentation for JUST ONE of those commands in the Docbook XML format. The command documentation should provide a one-sentence description, a detailed paragraph description (200+ words), explanation of all available command-line options, and one or more examples on how to use the command.

Code:

  • doc/docbook/system/man1/en/Makefile.am
  • doc/docbook/system/man1/en/*.xml

 

 

Complete our "Intro to BRL-CAD Modeling" tutorial and extend it[edit]

We've developed two short and simple tutorials for introducing new users to modeling with BRL-CAD.

This task involves doing one of the tutorials (they take about an hour) and then extending it with a new section or making some other improvement. At the end of the tutorial are several optional advanced "exercise left to the reader", for example. Write a half-page step-by-step for one of the exercises left to the reader. Include screenshots and images to make it look nice so the reader is not bored.

Reference:

 

 

Translate "Contributors Guide To BRL-CAD" To Any Language[edit]

People interested in improving BRL-CAD sometimes find themselves lost in a sea of information. In all, BRL-CAD has more than a million words of documentation across hundreds of manual pages, dozens of tutorials and examples, hundreds of wiki pages, dozens of technical papers, and other resources. There are literally thousands of features and this can sometimes pose problems.

In 2013, a team of contributors got to California and worked on an entire book titled "Contributors Guide To BRL-CAD" in just a few days. This great resource needs to be translated to other languages to attract developers from other lingual backgrounds (who don't read English ) to contribute to BRL-CAD.

This task involves translating the chapters/sections of the "Contributors Guide To BRL-CAD" into a language of your choice such as Mandarin, French, Chinese, Spanish, German, Hindi, Arabic, Russian, etc. Chapters/Sections include

  • Feature Overview
  • Working with our Code
  • What code to work on
  • How to contribute
  • .... (Just to name a few )

The output of this task can be a pdf, html, doc, odt or any other document file that contains the translated article.Images in the original document (see link in Reference below) should not be changed ! only text should be.

Reference:

 

 

Write a "BRL-CAD Commands Quick Reference" document[edit]

There is already a command quick reference for BRL-CAD's MGED geometry editing tool, but there is not a similar document for BRL-CAD's 400+ command-line commands.

This task involves writing a quick reference document similar to the MGED quick reference but for BRL-CAD commands. The sheet should minimally include the following commands:

mged, rt*, *-g, g-*, fb*, *fb, nirt, remrt, rtsrv, asc2g, g2asc, dbupgrade, pix*, *pix, *-*, brlman, benchmark

References:

 

 

Doxygen cleanup[edit]

BRL-CAD uses Doxygen for most API documentation but the comment blocks are not optimally set up for Doxygen output.

This task involves cleaning up the Doxygen comments in the library so that useful reports and API documentation automatically generated (correctly, completely, and cleanly). Verify/fix any Doxygen syntax. Verify/fix groups so that functions are organized neatly and all contained within a group. Provide patches that give clean (PDF) output from Doxygen.

References:

 

... doxygen cleanup for LIBBU[edit]

There are approximately 300 documented API function calls in LIBBU.

Code:

  • include/bu.h
  • src/libbu
  • misc/Doxyfile

 

 

... doxygen cleanup for LIBWDB[edit]

There are approximately 100 documented API function calls in LIBWDB.

Code:

  • include/wdb.h
  • include/raytrace.h
  • src/libwdb
  • misc/Doxyfile

 

 

... doxygen cleanup for LIBRT[edit]

There are approximately 1000 documented API function calls in LIBRT.

Code:

  • include/raytrace.h
  • src/librt
  • src/librt/primitives
  • src/librt/comb
  • src/librt/binunif
  • misc/Doxyfile

 

 

 

 

Add images to our wiki page on Volumetric objects[edit]

BRL-CAD provides a couple dozen distinct primitives. Each primitive is defined by a set of parameters. Several of the more complex primitives have a wiki page describing them in more detail with an example on how to create them.

This task involves adding images to our page for the VOL primitive. You'll need to first complete the tutorial and save images for each step. Add the images to the wiki page.

References:

 

 

Fix Image Formatting in BRL-CAD's DocBook Documentation (any ONE large document or 4 smaller documents)[edit]

The majority of BRL-CAD's documentation is defined as DocBook files, from which other formats (HTML, PDF, man page, etc.) can be generated. PDF files present a particular challenge, and have some very specific requirements to achieve "good" formatting.

BRL-CAD's DocBook files need to uniformly use a style of image inclusion that is aware of what "role" the image is supposed to serve. A "basic" image inclusion example looks like this:

 <mediaobject>
   <imageobject>
     <imagedata align="center" fileref="../../lessons/en/images/img.png" format="PNG"/>
   </imageobject>
   <caption>
     <para>
       Caption goes here.
     </para>
   
 </mediaobject>

This task involves switching image inclusions that use the above style to something like the following:

 <mediaobject>
   <imageobject role="html">
     <imagedata align="center" fileref="../../books/en/images/img.png" format="PNG"/>
   </imageobject>
   <imageobject role="fo">
     <imagedata align="center" fileref="../../books/en/images/img.png" format="PNG"/>
   </imageobject>
   <caption>
     <para>
       Caption goes here.
     </para>
   
</mediaobject>

The "role" flag to imageobject provides the opportunity to specify different image formatting options when the output is HTML (role="html") or PDF (role="fo").

The captions should be preserved as above on mediaobjects that have them, but mediaobjects without a caption should also be converted and there is no need to add a caption in such cases.

Any patch that makes changes to the DocBook sources should result in a successful "make doc" build test. This won't generate PDF documents, but it will validate the XML files and produce HTML - remember that introducing breakage means the patch won't be accepted.

Remember, the tasks are simply to do the above conversion for all images in the file or files, not to introduce PDF specific formatting. Formatting fixes will be needed, but they are very much "case by case" and will take both additional time and a working Apache FOP installation, as well as knowledge of how to enable PDF generation. If all image inclusions have been converted successfully and a student is interested in actually fixing the formatting, please discuss it with us on IRC or the mailing list.

References:

  • doc/docbook/books/en/BRL-CAD_Tutorial_Series-VolumeIII.xml

Code:

  • doc/docbook

 

 

Find 5 bugs in OGV[edit]

Online Geometry Viewer is a web based application with which you can see 3D .g models in browser without the use of any plugins. Your task will be to deploy OGV locally and find 5 bugs or errors in it.

Links: https://github.com/BRL-CAD/OGV-meteor/

 

 

Outreach and Research[edit]

Tasks related to community management, outreach/marketing, studying problems, and recommending solutions

Profile NURBS prep performance[edit]

BRL-CAD implements support for rendering of NURBS representation geometry. If you import a solid 3DM or STEP format model into BRL-CAD, it will import as BREP/NURBS geometry. Opening that geometry in BRL-CAD's MGED editor will tell you what objects are available and our 'rt' tool will raytrace it. When geometry is ray traced, it first goes through a "prep" phase and then it starts shooting rays. Our prep phase is entirely unoptimized so we'd like to know where all the time is presently being spent during prep..

This task involves importing some NURBS geometry into BRL-CAD and ray tracing that geometry with a profiler watching our prep performance. Any profiler will do, including gprof, but a performance monitor like oprofile or the Mac "Instruments" application (or Shark) are preferred.

Learning how to use a profiler is beyond the scope of this task, so it make take you considerably longer to provide us with useful information if you've never run a profiler before.

To capture prep performance, you will need to import some fairly complex geometry. You should be able to search google with "filetype:3dm" or "filetype:step" or find something on grabcad.com to import

Running "tops" within mged will tell you what geometry is available for rendering.

Running "rt -o file.png -s32" on the system command line (not inside mged) should minimize the ray overhead or you can specifically isolate the prep phase we care about. Prep is the time between when rt is run where it opens a window until the first pixels are fired and pixels start filling in.

 

 

Continue investigating GMP integration[edit]

BRL-CAD uses a fastf_t typedef for most all math operations that is usually a "double" floating point type. We would like to provide the option for resorting to exact arithmetic if possible by merely redefining fastf_t to a C++ type sufficiently overloaded to behave the same. You should be proficient with C++ operator overloading to take this work on. This task is a continuation of a prior GCI task (read it in full!):

http://www.google-melange.com/gci/task/view/google/gci2012/7946218

This task involves testing compilation with a C++ class with overloaded operators such that vmath macro calls still work as well as a sampling of LIBBN API function calls without major changes to the original code. A perfect example case study would be creating the class then testing whether bn_dist_pt3_pt3() and bn_mat_determinant() compute correctly for values that cannot be exactly represented with floating point arithmetic.

Building on the previous GCI task work, take it to the next step. Try setting a vector to 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 and 0.1, 0.1, 0.1 and get proper values to print. Change the V3ARGS() macro if needed. If that all works, try to get bn_dist_pt3_pt3() to work. Report and discuss your progress.

 

 

Upgrade OpenNURBS, report issues[edit]

BRL-CAD uses a customized OpenNURBS library for advanced geometry but it's out of date. For this task, you're going to download the latest OpenNURBS code and upgrade the sources we bundle. The easiest way is probably to move src/other/openNURBS to src/other/openNURBS.backup, and then put the latest OpenNURBS release into src/other/openNURBS.

Once that's done, you'll need to add the src/other/openNURBS.backup/CMakeLists.txt file and make sure the list of files it has matches the files in src/other/openNURBS. Last but not least, re-run cmake and make sure it compiles. You may need to consult the newer openNURBS makefile to see if there are other edits needed in the CMakeLists.txt file.

Save output from any commands you run because you'll probably encounter an error, and that's okay. Just submit logs of all output so we can figure out next steps.

References:

Code:

  • src/other/openNURBS <- replace existing with latest openNURBS from github

 

 

Design a T-Shirt for BRL-CAD[edit]

This task involves designing a T-Shirt for BRL-CAD. Use your designing skills to design a T-Shirt for BRL-CAD. You can use the current BRL-CAD logo, or you may tweak it. Be creative while designing this T-Shirt. It would be good if the design has some special meaning.

Logo References

 

 

Design a coffee mug for BRL-CAD[edit]

This task involves designing a coffee mug for BRL-CAD. Make it look good or at least interesting, and make it in BRL-CAD. Look over some coffee mug designs before starting to work on this. Verify that your mug is valid geometry by running the "rtcheck" command.

Logo References

 

 

Design BRL-CAD sticker[edit]

This task involves designing a BRL-CAD sticker. The design should be simple and sleek. The concept of sticker should be clear and also it should be creatively presented. Get inspired from some sticker designs but choose your own imagination while designing the sticker. There is no bound for shape of sticker, it can be rectangular, circular or even irregular. The only thing that matters is that it should look good.

Logo References

 

 

Design a wallpaper / desktop image for BRL-CAD[edit]

This task involves designing a desktop background for BRL-CAD enthusiasts. The main idea of your wallpaper should be to showcase one or more features of BRL-CAD. Be intentional and able to defend/describe your choice of color, layout, and other aspects of the wallpaper design.

Try to make sure the wallpaper works across a broad selection of screen resolutions.

Search the web for wallpapers inspiration such as:

Logo References

 

 

Model a Lightcycle in BRL-CAD using CSG[edit]

The movie Tron is an iconic computer graphics film that used CSG primitives for a majority of the movie's 3D virtual world. The film is famous for "lightcycle" vehicles that were allegedly modeled using 57 primitives and/or Boolean operations. For this task, see if you can recreate the masterpiece in BRL-CAD.

See this lightcycle discussion thread

 

 

Quality Assurance[edit]

Tasks related to testing and ensuring code is of high quality

Fix single-precision floating point crash[edit]

By default, all of BRL-CAD compiles using double-precision floating point arithmetic. We provide a simple typedef, however, that converts almost the entire system over to single-precision floating point. This compilation mode was recently cleaned up and tested, but a bug was found. The problem is reproduced very simply by compiling in single precision mode and running our "rt" ray tracer tool.

To compile in single precision, edit the include/bn.h header file and change the fastf_t typedef from double to float. To reproduce the bug, compile BRL-CAD and write this out to a text file named star.view:

viewsize 2.500000000e+05;
eye_pt 2.102677960e+05 8.455500000e+04 2.934714650e+04;
viewrot -6.733560560e-01 6.130643360e-01 4.132114880e-01 0.000000000e+00
        5.539599410e-01 4.823888300e-02 8.311441420e-01 0.000000000e+00
        4.896120540e-01 7.885590550e-01 -3.720948210e-01 0.000000000e+00
        0.000000000e+00 0.000000000e+00 0.000000000e+00 1.000000000e+00 ;
start 0;
end;

Then run rt feeding it that view script as input. This is an example how to run within the gdb debugger:

gdb path/to/bin/rt
...
(gdb) run -F/dev/X -M .cmake/share/db/star.g all < star.view

At this point, rt should crash due to an infinite recursion. A backtrace in the debugger will show lots and lots of calls to rt_shootray() and light_hit().

This task involves investigating and preventing the crash. Provide a patch that fixes the bug.

References:

  • man gdb
  • brlman rt

Code:

  • src/librt/shoot.c
  • src/liboptical/sh_light.c

 

 

Fix closedb[edit]

BRL-CAD geometry editor application (mged) has several hundred commands including two very simple commands for opening and closing a geometry database file. While the user rarely ever needs to close the file, as all changes are always immediately saved, it can be of use to scripting applications. However, at some point in the recent past, the closedb command was horked. It's undoubtedly something very simple but we haven't bothered to look due to other priorities. You can fix it. If you run these simple steps within graphical mged, you should see how commands stop working after calling closedb:

 mged> opendb test.g y
 mged> make sph sph
 mged> l sph
 mged> closedb
 mged> make sph sph
 mged> opendb test.g
 mged> l sph
 mged> exit

Provide a patch that fixes the bug or tell us which SVN revision introduced the bug. Make sure you can reproduce the bug before claiming this task, which presumes you know how to download/install BRL-CAD from a source distribution.

Code:

  • src/mged/mged.c

 

 

Create a utility library (LIBBU) API unit test[edit]

There are more than 300 library functions in our core LIBBU library. As a core library used by nearly every one of BRL-CAD's tools, testing those functions for correct behavior is important.

This task involves implementing new unit tests for any of LIBBU's source files that do not already have a unit test defined. The test should run all of the public functions and be hooked into our build system. We have lots of existing unit tests to follow as examples.

References:

  • include/bu.h
  • src/libbu/*.c
  • src/libbu/tests/*.c

Code:

  • src/libbu/tests/[TEST].c
  • src/libbu/tests/CMakeLists.txt

 

 

Create Numerics library (LIBBN) API unit tests[edit]

There are more than 300 library functions in our core LIBBN library. As a core library used by nearly every one of BRL-CAD's tools, testing those functions for correct behavior is important.

This task involves implementing new unit tests for any of LIBBN's source files that do not already have a unit test defined. The test should run all of the public functions and be hooked into our build system. We have lots of existing unit tests to follow as examples.

References:

  • include/bn.h
  • include/plot3.h
  • include/vmath.h
  • src/libbn/*.c
  • src/libbn/tests/*.c <-- check this directory for examples
  • src/libbu/tests/*.c <-- Note: Also check this too for more examples.

Code:

  • src/libbn/tests/[TEST].c
  • src/libbn/tests/CMakeLists.txt

Note A valid task will constitute writing a basic test for each function in the following libbn/ files.

 

... unit tests for LIBBN anim.c[edit]

 

 

... unit tests for LIBBN axis.c[edit]

 

 

... unit tests for LIBBN qmath.c[edit]

 

 

... unit tests for LIBBN rand.c[edit]

 

 

... unit tests for LIBBN vector.c[edit]

 

 

 

 

Find, reliably reproduce, and report any bug in Archer[edit]

Archer is our new modeling interface and a soon to merge with our long-standing MGED geometry editor. It undoubtedly has bugs. It's your job to find one, but do so in a manner that is so obvious that one of the other devs will be able to instantly reproduce the bug given your specific instructions. Find a way to make archer crash, become unresponsive, or otherwise behave incorrectly. You will have to explore the tool with minimal documentation.

This task involves filing a bug report with verifiable and reproducible steps that clearly demonstrate the bug. It can't be a bug already reported or otherwise documented nor can it be merely behavior you don't like.

References:

 

 

Reproduce any 10 unconfirmed open bug reports[edit]

BRL-CAD presently has approximately 75 open bug reports of which 50 are unassigned. Read the comments and status to see if the bug has been confirmed/reproduced.

This task involves going through those reports and REPRODUCE at least 10 of the ones that have not been confirmed. When you can reproduce the issue being reported, you'll comment on the thread to state as much and attach any data you used to reproduce the crash.

References:

 

 

User Interface[edit]

Tasks related to user experience research or user interface design and interaction

Create an ISST screenshot or animation[edit]

Everyone loves to see screenshots and animations of software in action. We use both in our marketing and outreach. See some of the examples below that we already have.

Create an awesome screenshot and/or animation of our 'isst' tool in action. It's an interactive geometry viewer interface. It should be graphically interesting and give some sense of capability. You should import a visually complex and interesting model with LOTS of polygons and detail. Note you may have to go through some or the MGED tutorials (see Docs on our website).

References:

 

 

Categorize commands into a spreadsheet[edit]

BRL-CAD is a suite of more than 400 commands, processing tools, image tools, geometry converters, and more. MGED also has a command-line with hundreds of commands too. Help us reorganize one of those command sets.

This task involves creating a spreadsheet that lists all commands and groups them together into a finite set of categories or labels. This spreadsheet will help us identify places where commands can be consolidated, commands we might want to consider removing, common groupings for documentation, etc.

 

 

Design a Cover Photo for Facebook (and other social media)[edit]

BRL-CAD website and marketing materials are constantly undergoing change. Effective marketing requires well designed and attractive imagery. Imagery ideally should showcase some feature of BRL-CAD, some highlight, something visually interesting and compelling.

References:

 

 

Create a video for BRL-CAD[edit]

Watching someone else use software is incredibly helpful to some. Create a screen-cast video for BRL-CAD that showcases some feature, goes over steps involved in creating some model, or shows how to accomplish some other task.

You'll need to install BRL-CAD on your computer and use it in the video. Create or import some model and make a recording.

 

 

When You're Done[edit]

For non-code, just send us your file(s). For code changes, you will be expected to provide a patch file. Make sure you read your patch file before submitting it. Make sure your patch file will apply cleanly to an unmodified checkout of BRL-CAD:

svn co https://brlcad.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/brlcad/brlcad/trunk brlcad.edit
cd brlcad.edit
# make changes
svn diff > ~/my.patch
# read ~/my.patch file with text editor
cd ..
svn co https://brlcad.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/brlcad/brlcad/trunk brlcad.fresh
cd brlcad.fresh
patch -p0 < ~/my.patch
# submit your patch file to our patches tracker