Introduction

While working with graph and network visualizations, one of the most important requirements is to have the ability to visualize the graph with its nodes placed according to some structure across the graphical space. A good tool provides the capability to the users to restructure the network in order to visualize it in a way in which the required parts of the graph are enhanced, similar nodes occupy the same subspace in the graphical space, and all the nodes are clearly distinguishable from each other. This helps give a clear and detailed understanding of the structure of the network. Since networks are not the same and the exploration statement is different in every case, the desired structure in the graphical space might differ. By leveraging the various layouts shown in this chapter, the underlying structure of a network becomes more obvious. This is one of the key advantages of network analysis; going back and forth from one layout to another allows the structure of the...