Editing and exploring node-link diagrams on pen- and multi-touch-operated tabletops

This project addresses the design of interaction techniques for the creation and manipulation of node-link diagrams on multi-touch and pen enabled displays. Analysis and creation of node-link diagrams is an important activity, and one that can benefit greatly from the enhanced interaction bandwidth and collaborative affordances of interactive tabletops. The applications that we will demonstrate implement a broad set of novel interaction techniques for editing and manipulating node-link diagrams. Some techniques have been implemented with hybrid input (pens + touch). They allow flexible creation and manipulation of diagram elements by sketching and structural editing. This includes connecting and copying nodes by bimanual input and changing types of edges by gestures. Other techniques are meant to support users in analyzing diagrams. For example, by strumming or bundling edges, it is easy to see what nodes are connected by the edges.