TimeSpiderTrees: A Novel Visual Metaphor for Dynamic Compound Graphs

Graphs are a mathematical method to model relations between objects. The most common metaphor to visualize graphs is the node-link technique, which typically suffers from visual clutter caused by many edge crossings. Much research has been done on the development of sophisticated algorithms aimed at enhancing the layout with respect to edge crossings and a series of other aesthetic criteria. In this paper we propose a novel visual metaphor, called Time-SpiderTrees, which is based on a radial layout. In our technique, relations are visually indicated by orientation instead of connectedness to circumvent the problem of edge crossings. The strength of this novel visualization technique lies in the visual encoding of time-series relational data in a single view without animation, which helps to preserve the mental map and hence to reduce cognitive efforts.