A graph consists of nodes and edges:
Visual elements that represent entities from arbitrary application areas are called nodes, lines that connect two nodes and thus define a relationship between them are called edges.
Edges can consist of multiple line segments that are connected to each other ending point to starting point; these connection points are called bends.
So-called group nodes are special nodes that in turn can contain proper graph structures with nodes and edges. Nodes contained in a group node can be connected to nodes outside the group node as well.
Creating a Node
A node can be created by dragging any of the sample node representations
from the Palette tool window into the active editor
window (using a mouse drag gesture).
Additionally, it is possible to create a node by a simple mouse click (left
mouse button) within the active editor window if option
Create
Node on Background Click is enabled.
The mouse click must occur at an empty place within the drawing canvas.
If there are selected graph elements, then no node will be created but the
graph elements are deselected instead.
Creating an Edge
An edge is created by a mouse drag gesture that starts on a node (the source node) and ends on a target node. (The edge can be seen as soon as the mouse cursor “leaves” the source node’s area.)
Note: Source node and target node can be identical.
Creating a Group Node
A so-called group node can be created by using the item “Group” of either the drawing canvas’ or the node’s context menu.
Group nodes can also be created by dragging a sample group node representation from the Palette tool window to the active editor window with a mouse drag gesture.
Adding/Removing a Node to a Group Node/from a Group Node
A node can be added to a group node or can be removed from a group node by holding the SHIFT key while moving the node into the group node or out of it, respectively.
Creating an Edge that Starts/Ends at a Group Node
See also “Creating an Edge”. However, the mouse drag gesture must start, respectively end on the group node’s label or the border of the group node.
Creating Additional Bends in an Edge
An additional bend in an edge is created by a mouse drag gesture that starts on the edge.
Aborting Edge Creation
Edge creation can be aborted by clicking either the right mouse button or the ESC key.
Creating an Edge with Bends
Edges can also consist of multiple line segments, i.e., they can have bends.
To create an edge with multiple line segments the mouse drag gesture must end at an empty place within the drawing canvas, i.e., the mouse button must be released to create a first bend. Each subsequent simple mouse click (left mouse button) that does not occur on a node then creates a further bend.