Target Netgrams: An Annulus-constrained Stress Model for Radial Graph Visualization

Mingliang Xue, Yunhai Wang, Chang Han, Jian Zhang, Zheng Wang, Kaiyi Zhang, Christophe Hurter, Jian Zhao, Oliver Deussen

DOI: 10.1109/TVCG.2022.3187425

Room: 105

2023-10-25T00:09:00ZGMT-0600Change your timezone on the schedule page
2023-10-25T00:09:00Z
Exemplar figure, described by caption below
In this paper, we present Target Netgrams, a visualization technique for radial graph layouts. We propose an annulus-constrained stress model to position nodes on the annuli between adjacent circles, indicating their radial hierarchy while maintaining network structure and improving readability. (A) This is achieved by providing more space on the annuli compared to traditional layouts, computed through a constrained least square optimization problem using stress majorization. (B) Additional constraints facilitate exploration of nodes, edges, and levels of interest. (C) We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method through comprehensive evaluation, a user study, and a case study. (D)
Fast forward
Full Video
Keywords

Radial visualization;stress model;hierarchy constraint;graph

Abstract

We present Target Netgrams as a visualization technique for radial layouts of graphs. Inspired by manually created target sociograms, we propose an annulus-constrained stress model that aims to position nodes onto the annuli between adjacent circles for indicating their radial hierarchy, while maintaining the network structure (clusters and neighborhoods) and improving readability as much as possible. This is achieved by having more space on the annuli than traditional layout techniques. By adapting stress majorization to this model, the layout is computed as a constrained least square optimization problem. Additional constraints (e.g., parent-child preservation, attribute-based clusters and structure-aware radii) are provided for exploring nodes, edges, and levels of interest. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method through a comprehensive evaluation, a user study, and a case study.