yFiles Gallery
Showcasing the flexibility, power, and beauty of network visualizations.

Below is a compilation of carefully selected visuals we've created over the years. Most highlight the capabilities of our yFiles libraries, while some are included simply because we love them!

Enjoy!

Check out some inspiring applications and demos that show the advanced layouting feature in real-time, on the demos page.

About yFiles: The graph visualization SDK

yFiles playground graph drawing example

yFiles is your go-to SDK for crafting advanced graph visualizations, whether you're working with Web, Java, or .NET technologies. Its unmatched flexibility and scalability enable you to convert complex data into clear, actionable visuals, fitting for both enterprise and startup needs.

With yFiles, you're equipped for the future—supporting any data source while maintaining strong data security. Getting started is seamless, thanks to over 300 source-code demos, thorough documentation, and direct access to core developer support. These resources are available even during your free trial.

Backed by 25 years of graph drawing expertise, yFiles is trusted by top companies worldwide for their most critical visualization tasks.

Why top companies rely on yFiles for superior graph visualization.

From southern Germany to Silicon Valley, yFiles is the choice of world-renowned companies, research institutes, universities, and even #innovative startups. They all rely on yWorks' expertise to accelerate the development of their business ideas and bring advanced graph visualization to life. Whether it's established enterprises or emerging startups, yFiles helps them efficiently create and optimize their visualization solutions, making it easier to turn ideas into reality.

Do you have questions about yFiles' feature set?

Get in touch to discuss your specific challenges with our diagramming experts. We're here to provide the guidance you need.

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Automatic layout of networks and diagrams

The yFiles library embodies many advantages, including its ability to automatically draw networks and diagrams. yFiles layout algorithms enable you to create clear, robust and dynamic Flow Charts, UML Diagrams, Organization Charts, Sankey Diagrams, Family Trees, Business Process Diagrams, etc.

Below are some of the many layout styles offered by yFiles.

Hierarchical layout

Emphasizes the direction of the main flow in diagrams and networks and also identifies hierarchy levels and dependencies. It supports orthogonal drawings and grouped diagrams.

Ideally suited for biochemical pathways, dependency analysis, workflow diagrams, flow charts, business process modeling, or UML diagrams.

Hierarchical layout demo

About hierarchical layout

Organic layout

Emphasizes data-inherent groupings and symmetries and provides insight into the interconnectedness of large and complex structures. It supports grouped diagrams.

Ideally suited for semantic networks, biochemical reaction networks, or computer network structures.

Organic layout demo

About organic layout

Orthogonal layout

Produces clear diagrams featuring orthogonal connections exclusively, with connections routed to minimize crossings and bends. It supports grouped diagrams and exclusive routing of connections.

Ideally suited for database modeling, software engineering, or UML diagrams.

Orthogonal layout demo

About orthogonal layout

Tree layout

Optimally arranges tree-like structures. Offers directed as well as radial styles (see Radial tree layout) and supports compact arrangements.

Ideally suited for genealogies, directories, mind-mapping, or organization charts.

Tree layout demo

Radial layout

Arranges nodes concentrically around a center point, creating distinct layers or circles. It is especially suitable for visualizing social networks, cluster structures, and bioinformatics data.

Supports various layering strategies to clearly depict hierarchical and circular relationships. Ideal for applications in network analysis, data clustering, and hierarchical representations.

Radial layout demo

Radial tree layout

Tree-like layout in so-called radial tree layout style.

Positions tree structures in a radial fashion, spreading nodes evenly around a center point to highlight hierarchical relationships.

This layout is well suited for genealogies, organizational charts, and any diagram requiring a balanced radial representation of tree data.

Radial tree layout demo

Radial group layout

Arranges grouped graphs recursively in concentric circles, emphasizing the hierarchical and group structure within networks.

It supports flexible sizing policies for group nodes and layout customization, making it ideal for visualizing complex modular or clustered data.

Radial group layout demo

Circular layout

Emphasizes ring and star topologies in networks. Groups objects according to the network's structure and arranges them on circles or using radial tree structures.

Ideally suited for network management, web visualization, or social networks.

Circular layout demo

UML diagramming

Creating UML diagrams automatically is challenging. Many existing UML tools lack comprehensive automatic layout support. yFiles on the other hand offers superior layout engines for UML diagram creation. Below are some UML diagrams made with yFiles.

UML activity diagram

UML class diagram

Use our Javadoc extension yDoc to enhance your API documentation on the fly. Embed UML diagrams that are automatically generated from your source code.

UML class diagram for Java language

Examples of UML class diagram, activity diagram, and use case diagram. Selection of UML diagram types supported by yFiles layout algorithms.

Our Javadoc extension yWorks UML Doclet automatically generates high-quality UML diagrams and embeds them into your API documentation.

Flowcharts and swimlane diagrams

An automatic layout of swimlane diagrams presents a significant challenge. In a swimlane diagram, nodes belong to different graphically depicted lanes, and a layout algorithm needs to arrange them correspondingly.

Often, flowcharts are presented using a swimlane diagram, so that responsibilities are clearly visible.

Swimlane diagram showing milestones and sub-swimlanes.

Swimlane example chart

Our variant of the system flowchart example diagram from the Wikipedia 'Flowchart' page.

Swimlane flowchart: Information Systems Help Desk

Examples of flowcharts, respectively swimlane diagrams. View our variant of the system flowchart example diagram from the Wikipedia "Flowchart" page.

Working with large graphs

Creating, editing, and visualizing large graphs with hundreds and thousands of elements is one of the strengths of our library. The following images prove that our library can handle these diagrams and networks easily.

Tree structure with 5,000 nodes.

Large graph: Radial tree

Host hierarchy of more than 350 nodes defined within a NIS (Network Information Service) system.

Large graph: Host hierarchy

Graph with 10,000 nodes.

Large graph: Big beauty

Tree, circular, and organic layout of graphs containing many nodes.

Nested graph hierarchies

The yFiles libraries support the notion of "nested graphs," i.e., the nodes of a graph may contain graphs themselves, which can be laid out like any other graph.

Nested graph structure representing a part of a computer network structure. Multiple levels of nesting are used to commmunicate groups of computers that 'belong together.'

Nested graph structure where the nested graphs all show different layout styles.

Nesting tremendously helps in organizing data more efficiently and can be done to nearly any arbitrary depth.

Visual styles and features

Our graph visualization libraries offer support for a wide range of visual styles. Below are examples of some visual styles created using yFiles.

Nodes can have either a geometrical shape (like ellipse, diamond, rectangle, etc.) or show an image. Supported image types include, e.g., GIF, JPG, and PNG.
Note that edges connecting to a node which is represented by an image optionally end at either the border of the image (no matter how irregular) or the border of the bounding rectangle.

Node styles

Different kinds of edges.

Edge styles

Predefined representation options for nodes and edges allow for easy customization of a diagram's appearance. Important information can be easily emphasized with minimal effort.

Layout Constraints

The yFiles graph layout algorithms provide advanced layout constraints when calculating a graph's layout.

Decision diagram where edges outgoing at decision nodes (the diamond-shaped ones) are confined to start either at the lower corner (YES branch) or at the right corner (NO branch).

The groups of light blue nodes in this organization chart layout denote assistants together with their staff. They are arranged in a different manner than normal staff (yellow nodes).

Within the normal layout of this graph, the light blue and light green nodes have been specially arranged. The respective common target node is placed above its direct neighbor nodes of same color.

Constraints provide a flexible solution for meeting specific layout requirements tailored to different diagram types across various application domains.

For instance, they facilitate precise positioning of edge starting and ending points in flowcharts or decision diagrams, and they enable customized arrangement policies for specific nodes in organization charts.

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Customer applications
yFiles offers limitless layout options

This section displays screenshots of some of the different applications that our customers have built using the yFiles diagramming libraries.

Splotch

AI-driven visualization

AI-generated diagrams need to be clear, editable, and dynamic. Discover how Splotch uses yFiles to create interactive visuals that stay seamlessly linked to text, making complex information easier to manage.

Visualize complex data structures by clustering related information

Graphviz struggled with clear visualization

Case study: Making AI-generated diagrams useful and interactive

Artura

Elevating engineering excellence through dynamic data visualization

Artura is an engineering software developed by Artura B.V. for various use cases, from automated homes to building superyachts. The SaaS platform is built to optimize engineering and design processes for AV, IT, and security system integrators.

Artura: Installation overview

Artura: Filter and sorting

Artura: Dashboard

Case study: Elevating engineering excellence through dynamic data visualization

Varigence

Understanding data flow with graphs

Founded in 2009, Varigence helps businesses manage and integrate data with products like BimlFlex, BimlStudio, and BimlExpress. These tools automate data solution creation and support platforms including Microsoft data stack, Synapse, Delta Lake, Databricks, and Snowflake.

Varigence product ecosystem

Figure 1: A target data model using Data Vault methodology (Source: Varigence)

Figure 2: Detailed lineage relationship between source- and target data sets (Source: Varigence)

Case study: Understanding the flow of data with graphs

qbilon GmbH

Make the right IT decisions—with the help of diagrams

The German startup qbilon provides a platform for capturing, analyzing, and optimizing hybrid IT landscapes, enabling IT executives to make just such well-founded, future-proof IT decisions.

Deployment view with utilization evaluation

Impact analysis (server)

Case study: Make the right IT decisions—with the help of diagrams

trust-hub Ltd

Keeping personal information private—with the power of graphs

trust-hub’s Privacy Lens toolkit, offered as SaaS to enterprises, lets customers monitor how personal data is processed, used, and stored: at every level of their organization as well as within their “data supply chain”. Privacy Lens makes it easy to pinpoint systems or processes that are creating compliance risk

Privacy Lens by trust hub

Case study: Keeping personal information private—with the power of graphs

Pandora Intelligence

Visualizing data to make the world a safer place

Pandora Intelligence specializes in analyzing large data volumes, using proprietary AI and deep-learning algorithms. The experts correlate actively acquired data, open-source data, and creative data such as films, books, and plays.

CyberScenes overview of a cyber attack—and its context

A small part of the ontology driving the Pandora platform

How crisis control organizations achieve quick situational awareness

Case study: Visualizing data to make the world a safer place

DbVis Software AB

DbVis Software relies on yFiles viewer and layout technology for arranging and presenting database schemas in its DbVisualizer tool.

DbVisualizer shows the relationships between database tables with a single click

DbVis Software's flagship product DbVisualizer uses yFiles layout and visualization technology from the yFiles for Java library.

Need to get a handle on large data volumes? Visualizing the schema, or database structure, is a great start.

DbVis Software's flagship product DbVisualizer uses yFiles layout and visualization technology from the yFiles for Java library.

Case study: DbVis Software AB

JetBrains

JetBrains incorporates yFiles for Java and yFiles WPF into several of their exceptional products. You can find yFiles diagramming in their IntelliJ IDEA, RubyMine, PHPStorm, PyCharm, AppCode, DataGrip, Webstorm, and Rider IDEs, and also in their .NET tools ReSharper and dotPeek.

JetBrains' flagship product IntelliJ IDEA includes UML diagramming support that is built upon yFiles for Java.

Class diagrams in the editor. Source: JetBrains

Case study: JetBrains

Connect Our Kids

Graphs can change children’s lives

Connect Our Kids makes perfect use of yFiles' "level of detail" style in their "zoom to render"-feature. See for yourself, how yFiles enables you to display your data interactively.

Computer-based social work. Source: Connect Our Kids.

Case study: Graphs can change children’s lives

Appollo Systems

Visualizing digital innovation

Appollo Systems offers a visual-based business analysis and optimization platform, providing their users with a seamless transition into agile, low-code application development.

Appollo Digital Innovation platform

Heatmap-based application monitoring & optimization. Source: Appollo Systems

Appollo Digital Innovation platform

Process model with full support of BPMN standard. Source: Appollo Systems

Case study: Visualizing digital innovation

ArenaCore

Remote teamwork—powered by graphs

A forward-thinking startup has created an intuitive platform to support ICT providers, especially public clouds. With ArenaCore, companies can design, order, and implement components for their overall infrastructure, and plan the placement of service elements within a service mesh.

UI implementation: physical solution designer

UI implementation: logical solution designer

Case study: Remote teamwork—powered by graphs

Airbus

Visualizing factory workflows at Airbus

An international pioneer in the aviation industry, Airbus has become a household name. But its products are anything but ordinary. The company designs, manufactures, and supplies state-of-the-art passenger aircraft to high-flying customers around the world. Final assembly lines are located in Europe, China, and the US.

Sample PERT visualization with dependencies and properties (courtesy of Airbus)

In the PERT UI, the Airbus team created a hierarchical layout with the following structure: n levels of families → designSolutions → operations, connected with dependencies (edges) between all levels.

Case study: Visualizing factory workflows at Airbus

Langner, Inc.

Outsmarting cybercrime—with network diagrams

Langner has developed OT-BASE, a software product that revolutionizes plant security. It also gives engineering and maintenance staff an unprecedented overview of their networks. Today, OT-BASE is Langner’s sole focus.

Visualized with yFiles, complex networks are easy to understand. Langner previously tested JavaScript open source libraries, but their results were considerably more chaotic.

Visualized with yFiles, complex networks are easy to understand.

Case study: Outsmarting cybercrime—with network diagrams

Rapport

The Rapport product by Rapport Network is a free assisted living platform for people with dementia and other cognitive impairments. Rapport uses our HTML5/JavaScript diagramming library yFiles for HTML.

Rapport product

The Rapport product by Rapport Network is a free assisted living platform for people with dementia and other cognitive impairments. Rapport uses our HTML5/JavaScript diagramming library yFiles for HTML.

Cassandra Studio

Autonomous driving

For the diagrams in its software Cassandra Studio, Hella Aglaia Vision utilizes yFiles technology.

For the diagrams in its software Cassandra Studio, Hella Aglaia Vision relies on yFiles technology.

JProfiler

In their award-winning Java profiler JProfiler, ej-technologies chose yFiles layout and visualization technology from the yFiles for Java library.

In their award-winning Java profiler JProfiler, ej-technologies use yFiles layout and visualization technology from the yFiles for Java library.
The screenshot shows how the representations of the elements is kept at a visual minimum following the spirit of JProfiler's 'low overhead' promise.

Graphit!

Graphit! from Tartech Ltd. is an agile teamwork analysis and visualization plugin for Atlassian® JIRA® that employs our HTML5/JavaScript diagramming library yFiles for HTML.

Graphit! from Tartech Ltd. is an Agile teamwork analysis and visualization plugin for Atlassian JIRA that uses our HTML5/JavaScript diagramming library yFiles for HTML.

Interfacing Technologies

Interfacing Technologies deploys yFiles for Java and yFiles FLEX for the visualization of business processes in its software.

Interfacing Technologies uses yFiles for Java in its multi-user Business Process Management (BPM) software.

Interfacing Technologies uses yFiles FLEX in its EPC web portal application.

Structure101

In their flagship product Structure101™, Headway Software implements yFiles layout technology for the clear presentation of dependencies in software projects.

Headway Software's flagship product Structure101™ uses yFiles layout technology.

Headway Software's flagship product Structure101™ uses yFiles layout technology

JDisc GmbH

Maximizing the value of large graphs through collapsing techniques

Discover how JDisc uses advanced techniques like collapsing to enhance network visualization and management

JDisc network topology

Diagram nodes aggregation

Case study: Maximizing the value of large graphs through collapsing techniques

IDS Scheer

IDS Scheer implements yFiles technology to clearly lay out its business process models.

IDS Scheer ARIS screenshot.

Poseidon

Gentleware applies yFiles UML layout technology for the clear visualization of UML class and object diagrams in its Poseidon modeling tool.

Gentleware Poseidon for UML uses yFiles UML layout technology.

Poseidon

VX Company

For the diagrams in their forensic analytics software, VX Company chose our diagramming library yFiles WPF.

For the diagrams in their forensic analytics software VX Company chose our diagramming library yFiles WPF.

Incorta

Incorta has our HTML5/JavaScript diagramming library yFiles for HTML in their data analytics software.

Incorta uses our HTML5/JavaScript diagramming library yFiles for HTML in their data analytics software.

Research projects

University of Tübingen

The University of Tübingen leverages yFiles in their scientific research.

Numerous projects that, for example, deal with the visualization of biochemical pathways, web server log files analysis, or link analysis are made possible by yFiles technology.

iCandy

University of Tübingen: screenshot of a link analysis application.

yWays

University of Tübingen: visualizing biochemical pathways using yWays.

yWeb

University of Tübingen: web server log file analysis with yWeb.

Jar Inspector

University of Tübingen: Jar Inspector screenshot.

yEd 3D

University of Tübingen: yEd 3D - graphs in three dimensions.

BiNA project

The BiNA project at the University of Tübingen deploys the yFiles layout and visualization technology from the yFiles for Java library in the analysis and visualization of biological networks.

The BiNA project uses yFiles layout and visualization technology from the yFiles for Java library in the analysis and visualization of biological networks. The software is developed at the University of Tübingen.

Scientific publications

Staphylococcus

yFiles supports researchers around the world with mathematical algorithms and clear diagram visualizations that help process and present their data.

yFiles for Java was adopted to visualize the results of the study about dissemination of Staphylococcus aureus in hospitals by Thomas Obadia et al. from the University Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris.