Chivers – METRO MAP INPUT AND LAYOUT AUTOMATION 2014

Description

SchemaSketch is an Android v3.0+ application for creating metro-map-style schematics via gesture-based input combined with automated layout optimisation. Users draw components with intuitive gestures (junctions, lines, stations, bends); gestures are classified using metrics such as direct length, path length, straightness, and average radius. The tool supports manual editing, label entry, parallel lines and preserves connectivity as nodes are moved, with re-optimisation available. The layout engine extends a multicriteria hill-climbing optimiser to add periphery line straightness, symmetry, and balance, operating in two phases: schematic node placement and label positioning. Node criteria include octilinearity, minimizing edge crossings, various straightness measures, standard edge lengths, avoiding occlusion, symmetry of incident angles, and density balance. Labels are placed among eight compass positions with consistency and occlusion avoidance. Current limitations include lack of zoom and occasional local minima in optimisation; planned work includes zoom support, usability studies, clustering and optimiser tuning. An APK is available from the project site.