Denser graphs

[LeonardoB25]

The current automatic visualization of nodes is very straightforward and clear, but if there are many of them, it become very sparse. I was wondering if it would be possible to have an automatic option (aside from the manual one which is very time consuming) that optimizes screen's space occupation so that there are no (or few) big blank spaces.

[phase1geo]

I understand the ask here. Making maps more dense in this way requires a different node layout methodology than what is currently used. Not impossible, but not easy. The trick is figuring out what that strategy is without sacrificing layout performance. I'll consider it, but it won't come soon.

[LeonardoB25]

I did some resarch to suggest you some possible methodologies:

• Force-Directed Layout
  This should offer a good balance between structure and density.

  • Concept: It treats nodes as charged particles and edges (connections) as springs. Repulsion forces (between nodes) and attraction forces (along the edges) act until the system reaches a state of equilibrium.
  • Density Advantage: Repulsion forces can be calibrated to be effective only over short distances. A well-tuned algorithm, such as the Fruchterman-Reingold algorithm, can pull nodes close together without allowing them to overlap.
  • Efficiency: could use an incremental version of this algorithm (which only calculates minimal changes when a new node is added)

• Radial Layout

  • Concept: Positions nodes in concentric circles around a central root node

Finding the absolute best layout that maximizes density while avoiding all edge intersections seems to be an NP-hard problem, so I wouldn't bother with the perfect solution at all.