Graph drawing techniques improving readabiity and aesthetics for high-degree nodes

A computer implemented method of drawing a graph comprising a plurality of nodes connected by a plurality of edges, the edges having a specified minimum spacing, the method comprising:

• displaying a shape or image representing a node;
• determining a bounding box enclosing the node, the bounding box being sized to satisfy the specified minimum spacing in relation to the bounding box;
• outside the bounding box, determining placement of a plurality of edges incident to the node so as to satisfy the specified minimum spacing;
• inside the bounding box, extending the plurality of edges nearer to the shape or image without requiring that the specified minimum spacing be observed;
• and
• displaying the plurality of edges incident to the node.