Forums Technical Discussion Lay Out Network Boxes (automatic)

Lay Out Network Boxes (automatic)

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ikoon
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Please, look at the attached picture. The command "Lay Out All" or "Lay Out Selected" doesn't work nice here. Can I do something to make the automatic layout look similar to the third layout?

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automatic layout.png (211.0 KB)

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Enivob
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Try holding down the A-KEY and drag down on the top node. That should give you mostly a vertical alignment.
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alexwheezy
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Layout Nodes Up here seems to be the better option in this situation.
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pezetko
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Interesting, curious what are the rules when the Network boxes are around nodes.
It gets even worse when each part has it's own network box, you select everything and press L.

Also when doing layout up/down, expected to get some (uniform) gap between network boxes too (to keep the network box labels readable and not occluding each other).

#140575
Edited by pezetko - Aug. 29, 2024 10:57:05

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layout_selected_with_network_boxes_2024-09-29.webm (77.3 KB)
layout_up_down_selected_with_network_boxes_overlaps_2024-09-29.webm (163.5 KB)

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ikoon
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Thank you very much! The "Layout Nodes Up" is quite good, as long as it does not layout two separate streams (preview attached).

@pezetko did you submit it as a bug? The #140575 is confirmed ID of the bug?

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layout nodes up.png (58.1 KB)

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ajz3d
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I tend to avoid network boxes because of this problem with automatic layout. Instead, I use operator colors. Sometimes subnetworks, but they require diving in and out.

Perhaps if network boxes used the form of block grouping, that is already present in "compile" and "for" blocks, just with somewhat different decoration and with a label slapped onto it, they would be more useful.
Edited by ajz3d - Aug. 30, 2024 09:30:51
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ikoon
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ajz3d
I tend to avoid network boxes because of this problem with automatic layout

I have exactly the same problem for many years, since they have been introduced. I have been quiet for too long :]

I am thinking about making my own Python wrapper around the layoutChildren() function.

- store all network boxes in a list
- delete all network boxes
- layoutChildren()
- recreate the network boxes

It is not that complicated to do, and quite tempting to have them layout fine.
Edited by ikoon - Sept. 2, 2024 06:17:04
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pezetko
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ikoon
@pezetko did you submit it as a bug? The #140575 is confirmed ID of the bug?
yes, with link to this thread for more examples/discussion.

I did expected from auto layout to minimize wire crossing and minimize change in node graph's flow direction.
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