Improve optimization for more complex maps

[carfesh]

The optimization should avoid to produce overlapping lines, whenever possible. For instance, I have one brainstorming map where the optimization results in one node being sorted between two other nodes, but the lines overlap so that you can't even see that they are separate lines anymore. I guess it's ok if they overlap at an angle, but one line being on top of the other makes the end result misleading. In my instance, moving one node to the left manually will result in a better layout. I'll attach my example, moving the node "unter Wasser könnte sich alles mögliche verbergen" to the left manually will show what I mean.

Rollenspiel Kampagne - Brainstorming.zip

[juzzlin]

The optimizer already tries to minimize such overlaps where two edges are aligned. I guess in your case it could be the layout aspect ratio that forces an overlap (I was able to reproduce this). However, when I set an aspect ratio of 1.2 it created a layout with no overlaps. When it comes to crossing edges, they very quickly become impossible to avoid if you have connections that causes topological loops in the graph :) I could try to improve this, but not yet sure how.

[carfesh]

Thanks for that hint, I hadn't played around with the aspect ratio yet. The result of an optimization changes quickly when new nodes are inserted, the result basically looked different every time I have used it. I'll give that a shot, IMO it still produces very good layouts, better than what I have seen in some commercial tools. Maybe it could provide a warning if it detects an overlap with a given aspect ratio, suggesting to possibly increase it?

[juzzlin]

One option would be to mark overlapping edges somehow, possibly with a different color. This could be useful also without optimizer. The radically changing layout is a problem, yes. That should also be improved.

So far I haven't received any feedback regarding the optimizer so your input is very valuable. Thanks!