Madeline 2.0 PDE: a new program for local and web-based pedigree drawing.

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• The Madeline 2.0 Pedigree Drawing Engine (PDE) is a software tool developed for genetic research.
• It is designed to address the challenges of visualizing large and intricate pedigrees.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Madeline 2.0 PDE, a program for generating pedigree drawings.
• To enhance the readability and aesthetics of complex pedigree structures in genetic studies.

Main Methods:

• Utilizes a hybrid algorithm to draw consanguineous loops as cyclic graphs where possible, resorting to acyclic graphs to prevent line crossings.
• Employs a similar hybrid approach to manage matings between distant descendants from different founding groups, minimizing line crossings.
• Developed in object-oriented C++ and released under the GNU General Public License (GPL).

Main Results:

• The Madeline 2.0 PDE can process large and complex pedigrees, producing clear and aesthetically pleasing drawings.
• The program generates pedigree drawings automatically from command-line input files.
• Output is available in Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) format, compatible with web browsers and vector graphics editors.

Conclusions:

• Madeline 2.0 PDE offers an effective solution for visualizing complex pedigrees in genetic studies.
• The software's hybrid algorithm and SVG output enhance the usability and accessibility of pedigree data.
• An experimental public web service is available for accessing the tool's functionality.