Microsoft Automatic Graph Layout FAQ

What is Microsoft Automatic Graph Layout and what does it do?

Microsoft Automatic Graph Layout (MSAGL) is a .NET tool for laying out and visualizing directed graphs. You can use MSAGL to represent complex directed graphs, such as those found in business management, manufacturing, and network analysis, as well as phylogenetic trees, which are used in bioinformatics research.

MSAGL includes three integrated components: an automatic layout engine that simplifies creating aesthetically pleasing graphs with thousands of nodes that are easy to understand; a drawing layer that enables you to modify the attributes of the graphical components, such as the color of nodes and the style of edges; and a Windows-based viewer that uses the engine and drawing layer to create interactive graphs. With the viewer, you can edit graphs by dragging nodes around and modifying edge curves, capture mouse events such as hover, click to get properties of nodes and edges, zoom in and pan out to interact with graphs of all size, and more. Creating a complex graph typically takes just three steps: create the graph object, set the nodes and edges, and then bind the graph object with the viewer. MSAGL includes C# samples that help you draw your first graphs in minutes. To learn more about MSAGL, visit https://research.microsoft.com/research/msagl/.

What is the maximal size of a graph that MSAGL can handle?

Theoretically, there is no limit. In practice, it is limited by the amount of RAM and CPU processor available on a computer. For example, a graph with 15,000 edges takes about 10 minutes to lay out on a 4 GB RAM 2.2 GHz Intel® Core™ Duo processor computer. In general, the memory requirement and the time to calculate the layout increase as the square of the number of graph edges increases.

I have a graph with sub-graphs. Can you layout a graph taking into account sub-graphs and drawing a bounding box around each sub-graph?

This feature is not supported yet.

I need to render a graph on a Web page. Can MSAGL help here?

Sure. Class Microsoft.Msagl.GraphViewerGDI.GraphRenderer serves this purpose. It can render a graph using just a Graphics object. Create a Graphics object and pass it to Render method.

Can I set a node label different from its ID?

Yes, use Node.Attr.Label.

Can you edit a layout using the viewer?

Yes, check out the sample file “LayoutEditingSample” to see how this works.

Can I associate my data with a node or an edge of the graph?

Yes, use the UserData field of a node or edge.

Do I have control over node positions? Can I request that two nodes should be in the same layer?

This feature is not supported yet.

Can I specify a custom brush for a node drawing?

This feature is not supported yet.

Can MSAGL open .dot files?

No, MSAGL does not support loading DOT files.

Where can I read a description of how MSAGL works?

There is a technical report explaining the theory behind the tool at ftp://ftp.research.microsoft.com/pub/tr/TR-2007-72.pdf.

How much does Microsoft Automatic Graph Layout cost and where can I get it?

MSAGL can be purchased and downloaded at Windows Marketplace.

Is Microsoft Automatic Graph Layout included with any other programs?

Not at this time.

What are the computer requirements to install and run Microsoft Automatic Graph Layout?

See the requirements at https://www.windowsmarketplace.com/details.aspx?view=info&itemid=6002737.

Which languages are currently supported for Microsoft Automatic Graph Layout?

English - US.