Towards intelligible graph data visualization using circular layout

Abstract

Polar coordinates have been widely used in various techniques of interactive data visualization. The spatial organization through circular and radial layouts is implemented in a wide range of statistical charts and plots and is applicable for space-filling techniques and for node-link-group diagrams. Different arrangements of dots, lines and areas in polar coordinates create grids for data distribution, aggregation and linking. This work is devoted to the study of visual notations of data and their relationships and proposes an outline of their application in designing node-link-group diagrams, in order to arrange the geometric solutions at functional and logical levels of the visual representation.