I have a graph that has a tree as its backbone. So I have, for example a node A with children B, C, and D. Assuming the graph is being drawn top-down, A will be on one level, then B, C, and D. I would like to force graphviz to lay them out in B, C, D order within their rank. Is this possible? If so, how?
If there are only A, B, C, and D, I can get this effect by just putting B, C, and D in that order in the input dot file. But if there are other edges out of B, C, and/or D, sometimes the order gets scrambled. That's what I would like to avoid.
This can be achieved with "invisible" edges as shown. Please note well the comments that describe how it works.
digraph test{
// make invisible ranks
rank1 [style=invisible];
rank2 [style=invisible];
// make "invisible" (white) link between them
rank1 -> rank2 [color=white];
// declare nodes all out of desired order
A -> D;
A -> B;
A -> C;
A -> E;
// even these new connection don't mess up the order
B -> F -> G;
C -> F -> G;
{
rank = same;
// Here you enforce the desired order with "invisible" edges and arrowheads
rank2 -> B -> C -> D -> E [ style=invis ];
rankdir = LR;
}
}
To help fill-out @TomServo's answer (for people struggling with "rank"), I've made the invisible edges visible:
来源：https://stackoverflow.com/questions/44274518/how-can-i-control-within-level-node-order-in-graphvizs-dot