unflatten

unflatten [-l limit] [-f] [-c len] [-o file] input

unflatten is a Graphviz preprocessor that improves the aspect ratio of directed graphs by breaking up long chains of nodes. It works by staggering the nodes in chains, converting some edges to increase the width of the graph relative to its height.The tool is designed to be used as a preprocessing step before the dot layout engine. When a graph has many nodes arranged in long vertical chains, dot tends to produce very tall, narrow layouts. Running unflatten first adjusts the graph structure so that dot produces a more balanced, readable result.Options control the maximum chain length before staggering occurs and whether leaf nodes should be fanned out. The tool reads DOT format input and produces modified DOT output that can be piped directly into dot or other Graphviz layout engines.

-l len

Stagger the minimum length of leaf edges between 1 and len

Fan out nodes whose indegree and outdegree are both 1 (only works with -l)

Form disconnected nodes into chains of up to len nodes

Write output to file instead of stdout

Designed as a preprocessing step before the dot layout engine. The -f option has no effect without -l. Graphviz must be installed.

unflatten is part of Graphviz, used to improve the aspect ratio of graphs with long chains of nodes.

dot(1), neato(1), gvpr(1)