FreeWRL Linux Build and Install

Building and Installing a Tar archive, or from Git

Releases are generally presented in a variety of formats; one of which is usually a tar formatted archive. The latest archive is always linked in to the "download" page link on the left.

You can also download the latest FreeWRL code from Git. Note that this is "live" code, and may not be stable.

To download the code from anonymous Git go to freewrl sourceforge download page, hit the Git tab and follow the instructions for downloading the master branch (stable) or develop branch (for late breaking changes).

Requirements to compile from Git source

autoconf version >= 2.60. autoconf is available from www.gnu.org/software/autoconf
libtool version >= 2.0. libtool is available from www.gnu.org/software/libtool
automake version >= 1.10. automake is available from www.gnu.org/software/automake

Packages required varies between linux distributions, but you will require:

Javascript engine - look for a package with the name of "libmozjs-dev", or "xulrunner-dev" or "xulrunner-libs-dev" or similar. If not available, configure with duktape or stub, see --with-javascriptopt configure parameter below.
Gcc Compiler;
Java compiler ("javac") and the Java Archiver ("jar");
Truetype fonts.

Detailed list of requirements for Ubuntu 12.04.2 and later does exist.

Generic Build instructions

cd freewrl/freex3d
autoreconf --force --install
./configure [options - see below]
make
make install
/usr/local/bin/freex3d ../freewrl/tests/1.wrl

If your installation succeeded the test will show a grey cone displayed in the FreeWRL window.

Options for the ./configure line:

--with-OpenCL - build with OpenCL functionality when appropriate.
--enable-libeai - build in the library that allows "C" programs to interact with FreeWRL.
--with-fontconfig - enable fontconfig support; or alternatively:
--with-fontsdir=/path/to/fonts - if this is not set, then the path is set to /usr/local/share/freewrl/fonts; this is the direct path to Bitstream-Vera TTF font files.
--with-target=motif - compiles with Motif support, if you want a top-of-window menu bar use this.
--with-statusbar={standard,hud} - if specifying "hud", an OpenGL status bar is enabled, which provides buttons to access standard features. The HUD is an excellent alternative to Motif menus.
--prefix=/usr ...
--with-javascript={sm,duk,stub} sm spidermonkey, duk duktape, stub no javascript

Eg: Harold Blount uses the line:

./configure --with-target=motif --prefix=/usr --with-fontsdir=/usr/share/fonts/bitstream-vera

for his Redhat Fedora build located here.

Ian Stakenvicius uses:

../configure --enable-plugin --disable-debug --disable-static --with-x \
   --with-target=x11 --with-fontconfig --with-statusbar=hud --without-expat \
   --with-imageconvert=/usr/bin/convert --with-unzip=/usr/bin/unzip \
   --with-wget=/usr/bin/wget --with-plugindir=/usr/lib/nsbrowser/plugins

for his Gentoo builds, located in the Gentoo Portage Tree.

Making a source distribution file for a Linux distro:

After the ./configure step described above:

make dist

Info

From circa 1999 to April 2010, the FreeWRL project was managed by John A. Stewart.

There is absolutely no warranty, express or implied for this software. For details on the conditions of use, see the FreeWRL distribution.

This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU Library General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.

This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU Library General Public License for more details.

You should have received a copy of the GNU Library General Public License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA