All organizations · GSoC 2026 · Media, Artificial Intelligence

BRL-CAD

3D CAD & other computer-aided tech (CAx)

<p>This is the place to be if you love computer graphics. We do 2D/3D modeling, 3D printing, solid geometry, design, and more. Depending on the project, you have the opportunity to work with C/C++, Python, OpenGL, OpenCL, Qt, Javascript, and more... Help us develop open source computer-aided technologies (CAx)!</p> <br> <p>We operates as an umbrella organization with several CAx communities including:</p> <br> <ul> <li> - OpenSCAD is a solid 3D modeler with a rich syntax for programmable geometry. <li> - LibreCAD is a 2D modeling system specializing in blueprint-style drawings and draftings. <li> - IfcOpenShell is a library for working with standard IFC building model data. <li> - BRL-CAD is a solid modeling suite with conversion and advanced solid ray tracing features. <li> - Manifold is a solid geometry mesh processing library. </ul> <br> <p>We want to select at least one student for each, so feel free to ask us where to start.</p> <br> <a href="https://opencax.github.io"><img src="https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/media/org/brl-cad/4ec07aqdfrvygfed-360.png"></a>

  • python
  • c/c++
  • opengl
  • opencl
  • scripting
  • geometry
  • 2d/3d graphics
  • ray tracing
  • high-performance computing
  • deep neural net rendering

Project ideas

31 ideas on its 2026 ideas page.

  1. Integrated language help feature in OpenSCAD
  2. BRL-CAD Python bindings
  3. Continuation of a prior BRL-CAD GSoC effort
  4. Create a minimal web application using the OpenSCAD WASM build
  5. Implement 3D mesh offset
  6. Geometry Verification and Validation GUI in Qt (AI Project)
  7. Blender UI / integration with voxelisation toolkit software
  8. Authoring interface for IFC4.3 alignment geometry in Bonsai
  9. Create a compelling interface and functionality for the IfcOpenShell WASM / pyodide module
  10. "Vibe Coding" GCV: Agentic Modernization of BRL-CAD’s Geometry Conversion Suite
  11. Scripts for generating simple animations (e.g. appear / disappear, bounce, appear left to right, fad
  12. Features for CG artists to visualise beautiful IFC models in Blender
  13. Support for arbitrary parametric objects
  14. OpenSCAD to JS with ManifoldCAD
  15. Stabilize Appleseed Rendering
  16. Automated Surface Skinning in BRL-CAD
  17. Ensure OpenSCAD and BRL-CAD compatibility
  18. Improving CI and benchmarking for manifold
  19. Online Geometry Viewer (OGV)
  20. NURBS Editing Support in BRL-CAD
  21. Production-Ready PBR: Integrating BRL-CAD geometry ray tracing with Appleseed rendering
  22. Add OpenSCAD support for exporting models in STEP format
  23. Integrate AI chat for helping users creating OpenSCAD scripts
  24. Physically-Based Rendering (PBR) advanced shaders
  25. Improving the k-File to BRL-CAD Converter
  26. New BRL-CAD GUI
  27. Improve FreeCAD Hidden Line Removal
  28. Integrate STEPcode into IfcOpenShell
  29. Creation of an IFC geometry library in IfcOpenShell that uses Manifold
  30. Turn BlenderBIM into a client for remote BIM-collaboration on existing OpenCDE-API-server with a gra
  31. Implement AP242 STEP geometry importer for BRL-CAD

Read the ideas page. Ideas are for scope reference; never copy one into a proposal.

History

In GSoC since 2016, 11 years. Projects per year: '16: 9, '17: 8, '18: 7, '19: 8, '20: 8, '21: 6, '22: 7, '23: 5, '24: 9, '25: 6, '26: 8.

On GitHub

27 repositories pushed to in the last year. Main languages: C++ (10), C (7), TypeScript (2), CMake (1), HTML (1), Java (1).

Links and channels

go deeper in your terminal
git-into-gsoc org "BRL-CAD" --shortlist
git-into-gsoc repos "BRL-CAD"
git-into-gsoc issues --org "BRL-CAD"
or ask your assistant:
"Which BRL-CAD repositories merge
newcomers' pull requests, and which beginner
issues are still free?"

Those commands read live data: which repositories merge outside pull requests, and which beginner issues nobody has claimed. Install in two minutes.