Metrics for Graph Drawing Aesthetics

Graph layout algorithms typically conform to one or more aesthetic criteria (e.g. minimising the number of bends, maximising orthogonality). Determining the extent to which a graph drawing conforms to an aesthetic criterion tends to be done informally, and varies between different algorithms. This paper presents formal metrics for measuring the aesthetic presence in a graph drawing for seven common aesthetic criteria, applicable to any graph drawing of any size. The metrics are useful for determining the aesthetic quality of a given graph drawing, or for defining a cost function for genetic algorithms or simulated annealing programs. The metrics are continuous, so that aesthetic quality is not stated as a binary conformance decision (i.e. the drawing either conforms to the aesthetic or not), but can be stated as the extent of aesthetic conformance using a number between 0

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2002
• Where: VLC
• Authors: Helen C. Purchase
• Keywords: Aesthetic, Aesthetic Criteria, Aesthetic Quality, VLC 2002