Re: [igraph] display graph with known edge lengths

[Gabor Csardi]

Luda,

this is a non-trivial problem, since nothing ensures that a graph with given 
"edge lengths" can be realized in 2D at all. 

I think the "solution" is to either 1) apply a force-based layout 
algorithm to your graph, such that takes into account the length (weights) of
the edges, or 2) do multi-dimensional scaling (MDS).

For 1) see this example:
http://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/igraph-help/2007-06/msg00023.html

For 2), if you use R, then see ?isoMDS in the MASS package.

My personal experience is that 1) creates layouts that looks better,
although i haven't checked how accurate the layouts are, i.e. whether
the distance of the vertices is really proportinal to the given edge
weights....

Best,
Gabor

ps. please consider joining the mailing list, otherwise 1) you might miss 
some answers and 2) your messages will be delayed until i acknowledge them.
Thank

On Sun, May 25, 2008 at 06:47:59PM -0500, Liudmila S. Yafremava wrote:
> Hi!
> 
> I need to find a way to display a graph with known edge legths between nodes. 
> I  found all kinds of graphing software
> which can display and manipulate  graphs and networks, doing complicated 
> things, but I have not been
> able to find a simple solution to this problem. I have a list of nodes, and 
> edge lengths between them. All I need is to be able to display them in a 
> graceful way. Anyone knows how to do this?
> 
> Thanks,
> Luda
> 
> 
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Csardi Gabor <address@hidden>    UNIL DGM