BRL-CAD has hundreds of tools but they're not all documented. We use the Docbook XML system for documentation, which is very much like HTML, but don't worry -- we have LOTS of examples you can follow. Our build system will even validate your file to make sure you didn't make a mistake.

This task entails briefly learning how this geometry converter application works and then writing initial documentation for it. Look at the other g-*.xml files in the doc/docbook/system/man1/en directory for a couple dozen examples.

Once you've created your new file, you'll want to check your work.

1. download BRL-CAD from Subversion or use our VM image
2. compile BRL-CAD: http://brlcad.org/wiki/Compiling
3. create your new file (doc/docbook/system/man1/en/g-dot.xml)
4. add it to the build system ( edit doc/docbook/system/man1/en/CMakeLists.txt )
5. compile again (make) and make sure it doesn't give an error
6. check the compiled version ( in your build directory, run: bin/brlman g-dot)

A lot of little steps, but it's really very easy.

• doc/docbook/system/man1/en/g-*.xml
• http://brlcad.org/VolumeIV-Converting_Geometry.pdf
• src/conv/g-dot.c

• doc/docbook/system/man1/en/g-dot.xml <-- you'll create this
• doc/docbook/system/man1/en/CMakeLists.txt <-- add your new file here