Auto-Placement/Optimization Animations:

The following movies animate the convergence of CSIM's auto-placement algorithm. In each case, a set of nodes is supplied without defined positions (or purely random positions), but with desired logical relationships, such as topological connectivity. The auto-placement algorithm attempts to find optimal placement of the nodes according to their logical relationships. (For example, if the nodes are initially randomly oriented, but logically have a tree relationship, we would prefer to find a placement that reveals the tree shape with minimal cross-overs between connections. Likewise, if the nodes have a mesh relationship, we prefer to see the mesh unfolded.) The examples contain meshes and trees because these are easily recognizable. However, the optimization works for any relationships or cost functions, even non-regular patterns. CSIM's auto-placement algorithm is based on a fast distributed spring-like relaxation mechanism.
  1. grid512.mpeg (4.4-MB, may take a minute to download.) Should begin playing automatically.
       
    Shows convergence to optimal placement for 512 nodes having a mesh connectivity.

  2. tree3-4.mpeg (0.7-MB) Should begin playing automatically.
       
    Shows convergence to optimal placement for 121 nodes related by a 3-4 tree connectivity. (3-way branching at each node, with 4 levels.)

  3. tree8-3.mpeg (0.7-MB) Should begin playing automatically.
       
    Shows convergence to optimal placement for 585 nodes related by a 8-3 tree connectivity. (8-way branching at each node, with 3 levels.)

  4. grid1024.mpeg (7.5-MB, may take minutes to download.) Should begin playing automatically.
       
    Shows convergence to optimal placement for 1,024 nodes having a mesh connectivity.