Abstract

When adjusting a graph layout, it is often desirable to preserve various properties of the original graph in the adjusted view. Pertinent properties may include straightness of lines, graph topology, orthogonalities and proximities. A layout adjustment algorithm which can be used tocreate sheye views of nested graphs is introduced. The SHriMP (Simple Hierarchical Multi-Perspective) visualization technique uses this algorithm to create sheye views of nested graphs. This algorithm preserves straightness of lines and uniformly resizes nodes when requests for more screen space aremade. In contrast to other layout adjustment algorithms, this algorithm has several variants to preserve additional selectedproperties of the original graph. These variants use di erent layout strategies to reposition nodes when the graph is distorted. The SHriMP visualization technique is demonstrated through its application to visualizing structures in large software systems.

Citations