Layout and structuring object oriented software in three dimensions

  • Authors:

  • Glenn Franck;Monica Sardesai;Colin Ware

  • Affiliations:

  • Faculty of Computer Science, University of New Brunswick, P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, N.B., E3B 5A3;Faculty of Computer Science, University of New Brunswick, P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, N.B., E3B 5A3;Faculty of Computer Science, University of New Brunswick, P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, N.B., E3B 5A3

  • Venue:
  • CASCON '95 Proceedings of the 1995 conference of the Centre for Advanced Studies on Collaborative research
  • Year:
  • 1995

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Abstract

This paper describes interactive and algorithmic layout in GraphVisualizer3D, an experimental system for carrying out software engineering tasks via a three-dimensional diagram. In GraphVisualizer3D the software structure is represented as a nested graph so that, for example, the methods and data of a class will be shown as a sub-graph within a 3D box representing the class, and the class itself may be drawn inside another box representing a higher level module. We have developed a layout strategy that supports nested grids and that is designed to allow for algorithms to assist the user doing manual layout. In developing querying and layout tools for these 3D nested graphs we have come to the conclusion that layout, which is normally thought of as a method for making relationships clear, can become a powerful tool for structuring software, and also can be thought of as a rather special kind of query.