Although interfaces based on this view have proved useful in a variety of settings, qualitative progress in the area of human-computer interaction, awaits the ability to interact with computers as collaborators. Commercial tools, e.g., Claris Draw, provide minimal support for aesthetic graph layout. At the other extreme, research prototypes based on constraint methods are overly general for graph drawing. These constraints are enforced by a generalized spring algorithm. The result is a usable and useful tool for drawing small graphs easily and nicely.
Network diagrams are a useful form of informational graphic.
They are difficult to generate using today's software tools. Much research has focused on automatic layout, but little research has attempted to integrate such methods into an interactive system. The division of labor should exploit the strengths of both humans and computers. Below we show snapshots at various points in the design process in order to illustrate some of the features of our system. User creates initial layout, placing nodes using the mouse.