Three-dimensional tree diagrams

A method implemented in a computer system comprising one or more processors and a display device, the one or more processors configured to execute instructions for improved computer-based visualization of a tree structure on the display device, the method comprising:

• receiving a dataset defining the tree structure, the tree structure comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges;
• analyzing the dataset to identify descendant nodes and sibling nodes;
• generating a first plurality of graphical objects, each of the first plurality of graphical objects corresponding to a node of the tree structure;
• positioning the first plurality of graphical objects within a three-dimensional coordinate space comprising a first dimension, a second dimension, and a third dimension, wherein descendant nodes are assigned different positions along the third dimension, wherein sibling nodes are assigned substantially the same position along the third dimension, and wherein sibling nodes are given different positions along the first and second dimensions, wherein all child nodes of a given node are arranged within a corresponding two-dimensional matrix, wherein there are at least two of the two-dimensional matrixes having different positions along the third dimension, wherein a first one of the at least two of the two-dimensional matrixes comprises a first leaf node of the tree structure, wherein a second one of the at least two of the two-dimensional matrixes comprises a second leaf node of the tree structure;
• and
• generating a second plurality of graphical objects, each of the second plurality of graphical objects corresponding to an edge of the tree structure;
• positioning the second plurality of graphical objects based on the positioning of the first plurality of graphical objects, wherein at least one of the second plurality of graphical objects comprises a geometric primitive that connects a first one of the first plurality of graphical objects and a second one of the first plurality of graphical objects;
• using linear interpolation to size the geometric primitive based on a centroid of the first one of the first plurality of graphical objects, a centroid of the second one of the first plurality of graphical objects, and a distance function;
• and
• outputting, to the display device, a three-dimensional tree diagram of the tree structure comprising the first plurality of graphical objects and the second plurality of graphical objects.

A system for improved computer-based visualization of a tree structure comprising:

• a processor;
• a display device;
• and
• a non-volatile memory storing computer program code that when executed on the processor causes the processor to execute a process operable to:
• receive a dataset defining the tree structure, the tree structure comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges;
• analyze the dataset to determine constraint information for the tree structure, the constraint information comprising a depth of the tree structure and a number of child nodes at each level of the tree;
• generate a first plurality of graphical objects, each of the first plurality of graphical objects corresponding to a node of the tree structure;
• position the first plurality of graphical objects within a three-dimensional coordinate space based on the constraint information, wherein the three-dimensional coordinate space comprises a first dimension, a second dimension, and a third dimension, wherein all child nodes of a given node are arranged within a corresponding two-dimensional matrix along the first and second axes, wherein descendant nodes are assigned different positions along the third axis, wherein there are at least two of the two-dimensional matrixes having different positions along the third dimension, wherein a first one of the at least two of the two-dimensional matrixes comprises a first leaf node of the tree structure, wherein a second one of the at least two of the two-dimensional matrixes comprises a second leaf node of the tree structure;
• generate a second plurality of graphical objects, each of the second plurality of graphical objects corresponding to an edge of the tree structure;
• position the second plurality of graphical objects based on the positioning of the first plurality of graphical objects, wherein at least one of the second plurality of graphical objects comprises a geometric primitive that connects a first one of the first plurality of graphical objects and a second one of the first plurality of graphical objects;
• use linear interpolation to size the geometric primitive based on a centroid of the first one of the first plurality of graphical objects, a centroid of the second one of the first plurality of graphical objects, and a distance function;
• and
• output, to the display device, a three-dimensional tree diagram of the tree structure comprising the first plurality of graphical objects and the second plurality of graphical objects.