Multi-circular layout of micro/macro graphs

Abstract

We propose a layout algorithm for micro/macro graphs, i.e. relational structures with two levels of detail. While the micro-level graph is given, the macro-level graph is induced by a given partition of the micro-level vertices. A typical example is a social network of employees organized into different departments. We do not impose restrictions on the macro-level layout other than sufficient thickness of edges and vertices, so that the micro-level graph can be placed on top of the macro-level graph. For the micro-level graph we define a combinatorial multi-circular embedding and present corresponding layout algorithms based on edge crossing reduction strategies. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.