Link Layout Type Parameter

Link Layout Type

Rogue Wave JViews Diagrammer provides numerous ready-to-use graph layout algorithms, including specialized algorithms to compute optimal shapes for the links without moving the nodes. These are shown below with sample illustrations:

../images/IlvShortLinkLayoutColor16.gif Short Link Layout: reshapes the links of a diagram without moving the nodes (recommended for short links).

Links are placed freely by choosing the best shape from a fixed number of either orthogonal or direct link shapes. An orthogonal link can have a maximum of 4 bends.

Recommended if any of the following conditions apply:

Most of the links are short and it is not fatal if long links overlap obstacles.
The link routes must be placed freely and cannot be restricted to a grid.
It is important to limit the number of bends.

../images/IlvLongLinkLayoutColor16.gif Long Link Layout: reshapes the links of a diagram without moving the nodes (recommended for long orthogonal links).

Orthogonal links are routed on a grid by avoiding obstacles. Any orthogonal link shape can occur (that is, the number of link shapes is not limited) but a long link route can have many bends.

Recommended if any of the following conditions apply:

Many links are long, and it is important that long links do not overlap obstacles.
Routing on a grid is preferred because it guarantees a minimal distance between link segments.
An increased number of bends is acceptable if this avoids any overlaps.

../images/IlvHierarchicalLayoutColor16.gif Hierarchical Link Layout: reshapes the links of a diagram without moving the nodes (recommended for hierarchy-like diagrams).

Configuration options are available for each algorithm, allowing you to customize and fine-tune the layout algorithm. The sample images only show an example of the wide range of diagram arrangements that can be obtained.

You can also use the layout wizard page ( ../../../builder/gui/graphlayout/layoutWizardIcon.gif ) to select one of the predefined layout themes.