gvedit

Graphically edit and preview Graphviz DOT files

TLDR

Open a Graphviz file in the editor

$ gvedit [path/to/graph.gv]

[s]cale coordinates from points to inches (useful for layouts generated by Graphviz tools)

$ gvedit -s [path/to/graph.gv]

Enable [v]erbose mode

$ gvedit -v [path/to/graph.gv]

Display help

$ gvedit -?

SYNOPSIS

gvedit [-geometry geom] [-help | -?] [file ...]

PARAMETERS

-geometry geom
    Specifies the initial window geometry (see X(7)).

-help
    Prints usage information and exits.

-?
    Prints usage information and exits.

gvedit is a graphical user interface tool included in the Graphviz package for editing and visualizing directed graphs defined in the DOT language.

It features a split-pane interface with a text editor on one side for writing DOT source code and a live preview pane on the other for rendering the graph layout. Users can perform real-time editing, syntax highlighting, zooming, panning, and selecting layouts like dot, neato, or fdp directly from menus.

The editor supports loading multiple files, saving graphs in various formats (SVG, PNG, PDF via layout engines), and basic graph manipulation such as node/edge editing. It integrates Graphviz layout engines seamlessly, allowing quick iteration between source code and visual output without command-line invocation.

Ideal for beginners and rapid prototyping, gvedit simplifies Graphviz usage while exposing advanced features. It runs on X11 environments with GTK support.

CAVEATS

Requires Graphviz and GTK libraries; X11/Wayland display server. May not support all advanced Graphviz features; consider xdot for alternatives. Deprecated in some newer Graphviz versions favoring web-based tools.

KEY FEATURES

Syntax highlighting, live rendering, layout selection (dot, neato, etc.), export to SVG/PNG/PDF, zoom/pan, node/edge properties editor.

USAGE TIPS

Open DOT files directly or start blank. Use Ctrl+S to save, F5 to refresh layout. Supports drag-select for graph elements.

HISTORY

Developed as part of Graphviz at AT&T Bell Labs starting in the late 1990s. gvedit was added in early 2000s releases to provide GUI editing, evolving with Graphviz versions up to 12.x. Maintained in stable releases but sees less active development amid rise of web editors.