Maxilla: an OpenGL-based viewer for dentistry-related VRML files

Copyright © 2008 by Zack Smith

Introduction

Maxilla is an OpenGL-based viewer for dentistry-specific VRML files. Presently it runs under Windows however it should be portable to Linux. Other than for a few Windows-specific popup boxes (e.g. file-open dialog), it is portable.

Note:

  • VRML is a file format for 3D represention of objects and scenes.
  • Maxilla is covered by the GNU Public License version 2.

Philosophy

The design philosophy for Maxilla is one of keeping it simple, which is to say the larger goal is to achieve a program that is
  • Not too complex
  • Non-bloated
  • Sufficiently documented
If the program could offer the needed functions of VRML viewing and measuring and yet remain under 5000 lines of code (excluding comments), that would be a great success.

Currently maxilla.exe is 167 kB, which includes zlib and GLUI statically linked in, but not GLUT.

Compilation procedure

Development system

Maxilla requires Microsoft's Visual C++, but don't worry: Microsoft now puts out a I(free version) of their development system called Visual C++ Express. It lacks support for MFC, which is the traditional basis for creating GUI widgets or controls, but this is not a problem: Maxilla's GUI widgets are produced by OpenGL-based GLUI.

Software components

One key aspect of Maxilla that keeps it compilable and reliable is that it uses only a few other projects' code. It requires only:
  • OpenGL
  • GLUT
  • GLUI
  • zlib
Note that under Windows, OpenGL is provided by DirectX.

Download

Windows

Linux

Required software

Status

This initial version supports only parts of VRML files.

Links