BRL-CAD
BRL-CAD 7.44.0 is a cross-platform constructive solid geometry system with interactive modeling, Boolean CSG, ray tracing, geometry analysis, conversion, scripting and command-line tools.
What BRL-CAD provides
BRL-CAD uses constructive solid geometry, primitives, Boolean trees, geometry analysis and ray tracing rather than a feature-tree-first mechanical CAD workflow. Its .g database can preserve primitives, combinations, regions, attributes and hierarchy that are not equivalent to a simple STL or OBJ mesh.
Platform and package boundaries
A release may provide a macOS Apple Silicon disk image and source archives while other supported platforms require a system package or source build. Confirm the architecture, build dependencies and package origin before assuming an installer exists for every platform.
Units and conversion
Set millimeters, centimeters or inches deliberately before creating geometry. Converting a .g database to a mesh can lose semantic information or precision, so inspect topology, units and materials in the target application. Review date: 2026-08-23.
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BRL-CAD 7.44.0 primitives and Boolean modeling guide
Choose a supported package or source build, create a test .g database, set units, make primitives, combine them with Boolean operations and inspect the result with ray tracing.
Before you start
- Prepare a separate project directory and decide the unit system before modeling.
- Verify the package or source-build dependencies for the platform and architecture.
- Start with a small model rather than editing the only copy of a production database.
Installation steps
- 01
Install or build the platform version
Use the available package for the system, or follow the source build prerequisites and verify the installed version before creating a database.
- 02
Create a test database
Open the modeling environment, create a new .g database and record the unit setting and coordinate assumptions.
- 03
Build primitives and a Boolean tree
Add simple solids, combine them with union, subtraction or intersection and save the database before rendering.
Quick start
- 01
Inspect geometry and attributes
Query primitive dimensions, region hierarchy and attributes, then verify that values remain consistent after reopening the database.
- 02
Ray-trace a test view
Set a simple camera and lighting configuration, render the test model and inspect geometry, units and visible intersections.
- 03
Export a copy for another tool
Convert a duplicate to the target format, compare topology, scale and materials and keep the original .g database unchanged.
Usage tips
- The .g database contains modeling semantics that a mesh export may discard.
- Unit mistakes can scale a model by a large factor; write the unit in project notes.
- Command-line tools and scripts should be versioned with the database they modify.
Troubleshooting and uninstall
Why does the exported mesh have a different scale or topology?
Check the source unit system and conversion settings, then inspect the duplicate in the target tool. Mesh export can lose Boolean and region semantics.
Why is a package unavailable for my platform?
A release can provide one platform installer and source archives while other platforms need a system package or source build. Confirm the current release assets and dependencies.
- Archive the database and scriptsSave .g files, command scripts, unit notes, rendered references and conversion settings before removing the application.
- Uninstall without deleting projectsRemove the package through the operating system and keep project databases until a replacement build opens and renders a test copy.
Frequently asked questions
How is BRL-CAD different from a common parametric mechanical CAD tool?
It centers on constructive solid geometry, primitives, Boolean trees, analysis and ray tracing rather than a sketch feature tree and assembly-first interface.
Can a .g file be treated as an ordinary STL or OBJ mesh?
No. It is a structured database with primitives and hierarchy. Conversion may lose semantics or precision, so validate the result and units in the target tool.
Does the download require an extraction code?
The Quark entry does not require one; the four-character code for the Baidu entry is shown beside its download entry.