Graph IDE ► Inspector Editors ► Network
All Graphics have a network inspector editor that defines relationships (called a Network) between graphics in the same Layer or within the same Group graphic. That inspector is described below.
Connection
The connection is a arbitrary graphic, such as a line or square, placed between graphics that choose to participate in the network. A connection can be made from scratch or selected from a pre-made palette of graphics as shown and described below. Usually the connection (graphic) is a line segment, but any graphic including rectangles, circles and group graphics may be appropriate to use as a connection indicator. The connection terminating points are usually the (geometric) center of the connected graphics but can also be individual points of the graphic if the graphics are Data Graphics.
The connection network inspector editor is shown below. It is important to note that usually only one graphic in a network has a connection graphic (in the figures above that graphic is the connecting line segment), however each graphic in a network can also have its own connection graphic in which case the indicated network has more than one hub and has cycles, etc.
Connection Editor
The Connection Editor is shown below.
Edit
The Graphic View from which the connection can be edited. This is a general purpose graphic edit view so all of the tools of Graph IDE are at your disposal while making a connection.
Inspect : Forwards an inspector editor that is applicable to the Edit view. To see controls in the resulting inspector editor for the connection graphic first make sure that you have selected the connection graphic in the Edit view.
Tools : Forwards a Graphic Selector that is applicable to the Edit view.
Apply : Applies (copies) the graphic in the Edit view as the connection graphic for the focused graphic.
Premade
A group of various premade graphics. Click on a graphic to make it the current connection graphic, or click not-on-a-graphic to remove the connection graphic.
Template Selection : Select one of the radio buttons to see up to five different premade templates.
States Editor
The States Editor is shown below.
Node Label
A Label is a single-line textual graphic placed at the midpoint of the graphic. A label has attributes as described below. It is important to note that each graphic in the network can have a label (and not just the network hub graphic).
Text : This is the text that will appear at the center of the graphic. Click Return to enter the label string.
Font Name; Size : The font for the label text. Select this text to bring forward the Font Selector.
Draw Label : When selected, the label is drawn.
Color : The color for the label text. Select this color well to bring forward the Color Selector.
Network States
Connection Type : The type of connection as described in the table below and also the Network section.
Draw When Networked : For now, this is always on and the control is disabled.
Exclude From Network : When selected the graphic is excluded from any possible network connection from another graphic.
| Connection Type | Description |
| No Connections | No connection graphic is drawn. |
| To Neighbors | Draw the connection graphic from the graphic to all neighbors in the layer. In this context a neighbor is any graphic in the layer. |
| Between Neighbors | Draw the connection graphic from the graphic between all neighbors in the layer. In this context a neighbor is any graphic in the layer. This is the same as To Neighbors. |
| To Neighbor Points | Draw the connection graphic from the graphic points to the nearest neighbors in the layer. In this context a neighbor is the next and previous graphics in the sequence of graphics in the layer. This only pertains to Data Graphics. |
| Between Neighbor Points | Draw the connection graphic between the nearest neighbors in the layer. In this context a neighbor is the next and previous graphics in the sequence of graphics in the layer. This only pertains to Data Graphics. |
| Vertical Neighbor Points | Draw the connection graphic from the graphic points to the nearest neighbors in the layer while keeping the connection graphic vertical. In this context a neighbor is the next and previous graphics in the sequence of graphics in the layer. This only pertains to Data Graphics, specifically the Function. |
| Horizontal Neighbor Points | Draw the connection graphic from the graphic points to the nearest neighbors in the layer while keeping the connection graphic horizontal. In this context a neighbor is the next and previous graphics in the sequence of graphics in the layer. This only pertains to Data Graphics, specifically the Trajectory. |
For different uses of the connection type and other network features see the Network section.