TFlow Details

The tree layout applies only to a specific subset of graphs: rooted trees. In such a graph, no vertices may have more than one parent.

The drawing of the tree occupies as little space as possible while satisfying certain aesthetics:

• vertices at the same level of the tree are placed on the same line
• a parent is centered over its childs

As TFlow applies to AddFlow diagrams, it can be viewed as an extension of AddFlow, an ActiveX component dedicated to the creation and the use of flowchart diagrams or graphs. Note that it is necessary to use AddFlow version 3.00 or higher to be able to use TFlow.

At run-time, the TFlow component window is invisible. At design-time, the TFlow component is displayed as an icon on a form. This icon can't be sized.

The following VB6 code is all you need to do to perform a tree layout:

TFlow1.LayerDistance = 1000 Sets the distance between adjacent levels

TFlow1.VertexDistance = 1000 Sets the distance between adjacent vertices.

TFlow1.Orientation = North

TFlow1.Layout AddFlow1 Perform the tree layout

This code supposes that you have a form containing an AddFlow component and a TFlow component. You create the graph in the AddFlow component, using the AddFlow API, giving each vertex a random position or a (0,0) position. Then you apply the TFlow layout to this graph.

If the AddFlow LogicalOnly property is true, then only the logical vertices of the AddFlow component are involved in this layout. This will allow you to apply the layout only to important vertices. For instance, you will be able to exclude a node just used to display a label by setting its Logical property to false.

Note that it is necessary to use AddFlow version 3.00 or higher to be able to use TFlow.

TFlow Main
AddFlow