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Algae

Mar 11 2025 Relational layout explorations

During my research residency, I spent some time exploring relational layout. My overarching goal was to understand propagation and relational layout better.

Prior art

Caretope presentation drawing lib
"Diagrammar: Simply Make Interactive Diagrams" by Pontus Granström (Strange Loop 2022)

Algae

There were two main sub projects:

  • An initial investigation into a
    direct-manipulation propagational layout tree
  • A Bluefish-style layout library for canvas layout, built with propagation to add directionlessness

With time?

Another attempt that avoids issues with how grouping and defaulting work together. I want to make everything direct manipulation from the start this time so I don't get lost in abstraction.

Below the surface

Propagation

graph edit (tree layout)
algae init