Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 6
Explore and Explain
After getting data, visually laying out the graph, and attaching data to visual
attributes, you may want to explore the network in more detail to gain some
insights. The interesting patterns described in the various examples in the
previous chapters may not be so obvious in your graph. In many cases, some
amount of interactive analysis is required before patterns emerge. Often,
initial graphs look like “a hairball” or “a plate of spaghetti.” Do not despair.
Most graph software packages contain interactive features to explore the
graph in more detail, which are the topics of this chapter. For example,
zoom and identification interactions let you explore graph details. Filters and
selection help you focus on items of interest and hide less relevant items.
Assuming that you do gain some insights, in most situations you will want
to share those findings with other people. Whether those findings appear
in a PowerPoint presentation, whitepaper, or poster, you will want to help
the viewer see those patterns, too. The second portion of this chapter covers
enhancements such as annotations, labels, legends, and explanations to help
you convey your findings.
Explore, Explain, and Export
Upon first viewing a graph, the viewer (whether the graph author or the
presentation audience) may have some basic questions:
• What am I looking at?
• Are there some landmarks?
• What is this node (or link)?
• What is it connected to?
Basic interactions are used in conjunction with graph layout and the
configuration of visual attributes to do a first-level assessment and
understanding of the graph. Then, interactions such as filtering and isolation
provide a powerful means for exploring the graph, in addition to topological
analysis (such as exploring neighbors, exploring paths, and modifying the
graph).
