JViews 3.0 Graph Layout Release Notes

Incompatibilities
General Changes
Library Changes
Demonstration Changes

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Incompatibilities

The ilog.views.graphLayout package has been split into several packages:

ilog.views.graphlayout

Provides the base classes of the Graph Layout Framework.

Provides a layout algorithm for bus network topologies.

Provides a layout algorithm to display graphs representing interconnected ring and/or star network topologies.

Provides a link layout algorithm that reshapes the links of a graph without moving the nodes.

Provides a layout algorithm that arranges the nodes of the graph in horizontal or vertical levels, such that the majority of the links point in the same direction.

Provides a layout algorithm that arranges the nodes on concentric circles around the root of the tree.

Provides a layout algorithm that moves the nodes of the graph at randomly computed positions inside a user-defined region.

Provides a layout algorithm that can be used to lay out any type of graph.

Provides Swing components useful for creating applications mixing JViews Graph Layout and Swing.

Provides a layout algorithm that can be used to lay out cyclic graphs, both planar and nonplanar.

Provides a layout algorithm that arranges the nodes of a tree horizontally or vertically, starting from the root of the tree.

Provides a layout algorithm that can be used to lay out any type of graph; it allows you to specify the length of the links.

Modified Behaviors

Several changes to the default behavior concern all the layout algorithms:

• The call to the method IlvGraphLayout.performLayout() now automatically redraws the grapher. You no longer need to redraw the grapher after the layout. To disable this behavior, call the method performLayout(boolean, boolean) with the second argument at false.
• The call to the method IlvGraphLayout.performLayout() now automatically replaces links that are not appropriate with new links that can be reshaped as required. For instance, links of type IlvOneLinkImage cannot be reshaped and are replaced with links of type IlvPolylineLinkImage. If a link connector is needed by the layout algorithm (for instance, to enable the change of the connection points of the links), it is automatically installed.  To disable this behavior, call the method IlvGraphLayout.setLinkReplacementAllowed(boolean) or IlvGraphLayout.setLinkConnectorReplacementAllowed(boolean) with a false argument.
• The specification of the bus object for the Bus Layout and of the root node for the Tree Layout are no longer mandatory (default choice if no specification).

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General Changes

• The main JViews Graph Layout classes are now compliant with the JavaBeans standard. The new JAR file JViewsBeans.jar is the JAR file suitable to be used in an IDE. It contains all the JViews classes as well as additional classes needed to use the beans in an IDE (such as property editor, customizers, and bean icons).
• Three new layout algorithms: Hierarchical Layout, Orthogonal Link Layout, Radial Tree Layout.
• A new option of the Tree Layout for orthogonal reshape of the links.
• A new option of the Circular Layout for reducing the total area of the layout (recommended for large graphs).
• It is now possible to specify the root cluster for the Circular Layout.
• A new option of the Uniform Length Edges Layout to indicate whether the algorithm must try to respect the size of the nodes.
• It is now possible to apply the Graph Layout algorithms on data that is not stored in the JViews Graphics Framework IlvGrapher class. For details, see the class ilog.views.graphlayout.IlvGraphModel.

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Library Changes

• Orthogonal Link Layout (ilog.views.graphlayout.orthogonallink.IlvOrthogonalLinkLayout)
• Hierarchical Layout (ilog.views.graphlayout.hierarchical.IlvHierarchicalLayout)
• Radial Tree Layout (ilog.views.graphlayout.radialtree.IlvRadialTreeLayout)

(New packages containing layout algorithms that already existed in JViews 2.1 have been mentioned above.)

• ilog.views.graphlayout.orthogonallink.IlvOrthogonalLinkLayout: The Orthogonal Link Layout algorithm.
• ilog.views.graphlayout.hierarchical.IlvHierarchicalLayout: The Hierarchical Layout algorithm.
• ilog.views.graphlayout.radialtree: The Radial Tree Layout algorithm.
• ilog.views.graphlayout.swing: Utilities for integrating Graph Layout features in Swing applications.

• ilog.views.graphlayout.IlvGraphModel: An abstract class that defines a suitable generic API for graphs that have to be laid out with JViews graph layout algorithms.
• ilog.views.graphlayout.IlvGrapherAdapter: A Graph Model adapter for JViews graphers (IlvGrapher).
• ilog.views.graphlayout.GraphModelListener: An interface for objects that listen for changes in a Graph Model.
• ilog.views.graphlayout.GraphModelEvent: Encapsulates information describing changes to a graph.
• ilog.views.graphlayout.IlvRelativeLinkConnector: A link connector that preserves the relative location of the specified connection points with respect to the nodes. (Recommended particularly for Orthogonal Link Layout and Hierarchical Layout.)

ilog.views.graphlayout.IlvGraphLayout

• This class is now a JavaBean.
• New methods
• attach(IlvGraphModel): Specifies the Graph Model to be laid out.
• getGraphModel: Returns the attached Graph Model.
• setGrapher(IlvGrapher): Specifies the JViews grapher to be laid out.
• performLayout(boolean, boolean): Performs the layout with the specified force and redraw arguments.
• isStructureUpToDate: Replaces the method isTopologyUpToDate, which is deprecated.
• isGeometryUpToDate: Replaces the method isPositionUpToDate, which is deprecated.
• setParametersUpToDate: Replaces the method parameterChanged, which is deprecated.
• setFixed(Object, boolean): Replaces the method setFixed(IlvGraphic, boolean).
• isFixed(Object): Replaces the method isFixed(IlvGraphic).
• supportsPreserveFixedLinks: Indicates if a layout algorithm is able to preserve the shape of some links.
• isPreserveFixedLinks: Indicates if the layout algorithm preserves the shape of the fixed links.
• setPreserveFixedLinks: Indicates to the layout algorithm whether it must preserve the shape of the fixed links.
• unfixAllLinks: Specifies all the links as non-fixed.
• setLinkReplacementAllowed: Enables or disables the link replacement.
• isLinkReplacementAllowed: Returns true if replacement of the links is allowed. Returns false otherwise.
• setLinkConnectorReplacementAllowed: Enables or disables the link connector replacement.
• isLinkConnectorReplacementAllowed: Returns true if replacement of the link connectors is allowed. Returns false otherwise.
• Modified behaviors
• performLayout(): Now equivalent to a call to the method performLayout(boolean, boolean) with the force argument at false and the redraw argument at true. (Note that now, by default, the graph is automatically redrawn.)

• Now provides special code for the beginning and the end of the layout process. This allows you, using the GraphLayoutEventListener, to receive notification about the beginning and the end of the layout process, without needing to subclass the layout algorithms.
• New fields
• NO_RESHAPEABLE_LINK: Returned by getCode() if all links are fixed.
• LAYOUT_STARTED: Returned by getCode() when the layout is started.
• LAYOUT_FINISHED: Returned by getCode() when the layout is finished.

• This class is now a JavaBean.
• New fields
• STRAIGHT_LINE_STYLE: Valid argument for the method setLinkStyle.
• NO_RESHAPE_STYLE: Valid argument for the method setLinkStyle.
• New methods
• setLinkStyle: Specifies the links reshape option. If required, all the intermediate points of the links are removed.
• getLinkStyle: Returns the current link reshape option.
• setIndex(Object, index): Replaces the method setIndex(IlvGraphic, int).
• getIndex(Object): Replaces the method getIndex(IlvGraphic).
• setBus(IlvPolyPointsInterface): Replaces the method setBus(IlvPolyline).
• IlvPolyPointsInterface getBus: Replaces the method IlvPolyline getBus.
• getConnectionPoint: Returns the connection point for the links connected to the bus. To be used when non-JViews graphers are laid out.
• Modified behaviors
• getBus: If no bus object is specified, the method now automatically searches for an appropriate one among the nodes of the graph.
• layout(): When an IlvGrapher is laid out, by default the method now replaces the original links with new links and removes inappropriate link connectors, if needed. (This actually depends on the current setting for the link style and on the type of the links.) To disable this behavior, call the method setLinkReplacementAllowed and/or setLinkConnectorReplacement with a false argument.

• This class is now a JavaBean.
• New fields
• STRAIGHT_LINE_STYLE: Valid argument for the method setLinkStyle.
• NO_RESHAPE_STYLE: Valid argument for the method setLinkStyle.
• New methods
• setLinkStyle: Specifies the links reshape option. If required, all the intermediate points of the links are removed.
• getLinkStyle: Returns the current link reshape option.
• setRootClusterId, removeRootClusterId, removeAllRootClusterIds, getRootClusterIds: Specifies the root clusters.
• clusterize: This protected method cuts the graph into clusters.
• setStarCenter(Object, boolean),isStarCenter(Object), setClusterId(Object, IlvClusterId), setClusterId(Object, IlvClusterId, int), addClusterId(Object, IlvClusterId), addClusterId(Object, IlvClusterId, int), removeClusterId(Object, IlvClusterId), removeAllClusterIds(Object), getClusterIds(Object), getClusterIdsCount(Object), getIndex(Object, IlvClusterId): Replace the methods with IlvGraphic arguments.
• setAreaMinimizationEnabled, isAreaMinimizationEnabled: Enable or disable the "reduced radius" mode (recommended for large graphs).
• Modified behaviors
• layout(): If no cluster information is provided for a JViews grapher (IlvGrapher), the method now automatically searches for IlvClusterInfoProperty objects.
• layout() When an IlvGrapher is laid out, by default the method now replaces the original links with new links and removes inappropriate link connectors, if needed. (This actually depends on the current setting for the link style and on the type of the links.) To disable this behavior, call the method setLinkReplacementAllowed and/or setLinkConnectorReplacement with a false argument.

• This class is now a JavaBean.
• New fields
• STRAIGHT_LINE_STYLE: Valid argument for the method setLinkStyle.
• NO_RESHAPE_STYLE: Valid argument for the method setLinkStyle.
• New methods
• setLinkStyle: Specifies the links reshape option. If required, all the intermediate points of the links are removed.
• getLinkStyle: Returns the current link reshape option.
• isExteriorNode: Indicates if a node belongs to the exterior cycle.
• setFixed(Object, boolean): Replaces the method setFixed(IlvGraphic, boolean).
• isFixed(Object): Replaces the method isFixed(IlvGraphic).
• setStartingNode(Object): Replaces the method setStartingNode(IlvGraphic).
• Object getStartingNode: Replaces the method IlvGraphic getStartingNode.
• getIndex(Object): Replaces the method getIndex(IlvGraphic).
• setBus(IlvPolyPointsInterface): Replaces the method setBus(IlvPolyline).
• IlvPolyPointsInterface getBus: Replaces the method IlvPolyline getBus.
• getConnectionPoint: Returns the connection point for the links connected to the bus. To be used when non-JViews graphers are laid out.
• Modified behaviors
• layout(): When an IlvGrapher is laid out, by default the method now replaces the original links with new links and removes inappropriate link connectors, if needed. (This actually depends on the current setting for the link style and on the type of the links.) To disable this behavior, call the method setLinkReplacementAllowed and/or setLinkConnectorReplacement with a false argument.

• This class is now a JavaBean.
• New fields
• STRAIGHT_LINE_STYLE: Valid argument for the method setLinkStyle.
• ORTHOGONAL_STYLE: Valid argument for the method setLinkStyle.
• NO_RESHAPE_STYLE: Valid argument for the method setLinkStyle.
• New methods
• setLinkStyle: Specifies the links reshape option. If required, the links are reshaped in an orthogonal or straight-line style.
• getLinkStyle: Returns the current link reshape option.
• setRoot(Object): Replaces the method setRoot(IlvGraphic).
• Object getRoot: Replaces the method IlvGraphic getRoot.
• getBendCoordinate: Returns the coordinate of the bends for the Orthogonal link style.
• Modified behaviors
• getRoot(): If no root is specified, the method now returns an arbitrary node, if any.
• layout(): the algorithm now moves the connection points of the links to appropriate locations.
• layout(): When an IlvGrapher is laid out, by default the method now replaces the original links with new links and removes inappropriate link connectors, if needed. (This actually depends on the current setting for the link style and on the type of the links.) To disable this behavior, call the method setLinkReplacementAllowed and/or setLinkConnectorReplacement with a false argument.

• This class is now a JavaBean.
• New fields
• STRAIGHT_LINE_STYLE: Valid argument for the method setLinkStyle.
• NO_RESHAPE_STYLE: Valid argument for the method setLinkStyle.
• New methods
• setLinkStyle: Specifies the links reshape option. If required, all the intermediate points of the links are removed.
• getLinkStyle: Returns the current link reshape option.
• Modified behaviors
• layout(): When an IlvGrapher is laid out, by default the method now replaces the original links with new links and removes inappropriate link connectors, if needed. (This actually depends on the current setting for the link style and on the type of the links.) To disable this behavior, call the method setLinkReplacementAllowed and/or setLinkConnectorReplacement with a false argument.

• This class is now a JavaBean.
• New fields
• STRAIGHT_LINE_STYLE: Valid argument for the method setLinkStyle.
• NO_RESHAPE_STYLE: Valid argument for the method setLinkStyle.
• New methods
• setLinkStyle: Specifies the links reshape option. If required, all the intermediate points of the links are removed.
• getLinkStyle: Returns the current link reshape option.
• setRespectNodeSizes: Specifies whether the algorithm tries to respect the node sizes or not.
• isRespectNodeSizes: Returns true if the algorithm tries to respect the node sizes. Returns false otherwise.
• Modified behaviors
• layout(): When an IlvGrapher is laid out, by default the method now replaces the original links with new links and removes inappropriate link connectors, if needed. (This actually depends on the current setting for the link style and on the type of the links.) To disable this behavior, call the method setLinkReplacementAllowed and/or setLinkConnectorReplacement with a false argument.

• This class is now a JavaBean.
• New fields
• STRAIGHT_LINE_STYLE: Valid argument for the method setLinkStyle.
• NO_RESHAPE_STYLE: Valid argument for the method setLinkStyle.
• New methods
• setLinkStyle: Specifies the links reshape option. If required, all the intermediate points of the links are removed.
• getLinkStyle: Returns the current link reshape option.
• Modified behaviors
• layout(): When an IlvGrapher is laid out, by default the method now replaces the original links with new links and removes inappropriate link connectors, if needed. (This actually depends on the current setting for the link style and on the type of the links.) To disable this behavior, call the method setLinkReplacementAllowed and/or setLinkConnectorReplacement with a false argument.

For details about methods that have been deprecated, see this.

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Demonstration Changes

JViews Composer now provides graph layout capabilities. The old "Graph Layout Viewer" demonstration no longer exists.