A View to Graph Drawing Algorithms through GraphEd

We compare a collection of graph drawing algorithms implemented in our Graph Ed system. We report on our experience from running these algorithms on a large number of examples both from the literature and by our own, and present our evaluation of the practical relevance of the algorithms and layout criteria. The representation of complex structures as graphs is widespread. Graph drawing has gained increasing importance in many areas of Computer Science, but has proved to be a difficult task. Our Graph Ed system is an approach to support solutions to this problem. Graph Ed has been used by practitioners for database design, Petri nets and electrical circuits. One of its major applications is the implementation and evaluation of graph layout algorithms. With its capabilities to create and edit graphs, Graph Ed provides an effective environment to create and test large sets of examples. Since all drawing algorithms are built into one tool, it is easy to compare the effect of differ..