LUCIDITY IN NETWORK MAPPING WITH MANY CONNECTIONS

1 . A computer-implemented method comprising:

determining a connection type and initial visual settings for a connection associated with a graphical mapping;

for the connection type:

define one or more visual appearance functions to change the connection's visual appearance based upon the configuration of an adjustment mechanism; and

define a Z-order function to determine the Z-order of the connection type in relation to other connection types;

determining that the adjustment mechanism configuration has been changed; and

adjusting the connection, by operation of a computer, according to a value of the one or more visual appearance functions based on a value of the adjustment mechanism configuration.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the connection type can be one of a fully visible connection type where the endpoints of a connection are displayed on the same visual display or a partially visible connection type where one of the endpoints of a connection is not displayed on the same visual display as the other endpoint of the connection.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more visual appearance functions and the Z-order function are continuous functions.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more visual appearance functions include functions for width, dash, and space.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein data associated with the connection type used by the one or more visual appearance functions comprises a tuple of visual appearance values, each visual appearance value associated with each configuration value of the adjustment mechanism.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment mechanism is a graphical user interface element with a discrete number of anchor points, each anchor point representing a configuration value of the adjustment mechanism.

7 . The method of claim 1 , comprising adjusting, by operation of a computer, the Z-order of the connection of the connection type using the Z-order function.

8 . A non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions executable by a computer and configured to:

determine a connection type and initial visual settings for a connection associated with a graphical mapping;

for the connection type:

define one or more visual appearance functions to change the connection's visual appearance based upon the configuration of an adjustment mechanism; and

define a Z-order function to determine the Z-order of the connection type in relation to other connection types;

determine that the adjustment mechanism configuration has been changed; and

adjust the connection, by operation of a computer, according to a value of the one or more visual appearance functions based on a value of the adjustment mechanism configuration.

9 . The medium of claim 8 , wherein the connection type can be one of a fully visible connection type where the endpoints of a connection are displayed on the same visual display or a partially visible connection type where one of the endpoints of a connection is not displayed on the same visual display as the other endpoint of the connection.

10 . The medium of claim 8 , wherein the one or more visual appearance functions and the Z-order function are continuous functions.

11 . The medium of claim 8 , wherein the one or more visual appearance functions include functions for width, dash, and space.

12 . The medium of claim 8 , wherein data associated with the connection type used by the one or more visual appearance functions comprises a tuple of visual appearance values, each visual appearance value associated with each configuration value of the adjustment mechanism.

13 . The medium of claim 8 , wherein the adjustment mechanism is a graphical user interface element with a discrete number of anchor points, each anchor point representing a configuration value of the adjustment mechanism.

14 . The medium of claim 8 , comprising instructions to adjust the Z-order of the connection of the connection type using the Z-order function.

15 . A system, comprising:

a memory;

at least one hardware processor interoperably coupled with the memory and configured to:

determine a connection type and initial visual settings for a connection associated with a graphical mapping;

for the connection type:

define one or more visual appearance functions to change the connection's visual appearance based upon the configuration of an adjustment mechanism; and

define a Z-order function to determine the Z-order of the connection type in relation to other connection types;

determine that the adjustment mechanism configuration has been changed; and

adjust the connection, by operation of a computer, according to a value of the one or more visual appearance functions based on a value of the adjustment mechanism configuration.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the connection type can be one of a fully visible connection type where the endpoints of a connection are displayed on the same visual display or a partially visible connection type where one of the endpoints of a connection is not displayed on the same visual display as the other endpoint of the connection.

17 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the one or more visual appearance functions and the Z-order function are continuous functions and the one or more visual appearance functions include functions for width, dash, and space.

18 . The system of claim 15 , wherein data associated with the connection type used by the one or more visual appearance functions comprises a tuple of visual appearance values, each visual appearance value associated with each configuration value of the adjustment mechanism.

19 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the adjustment mechanism is a graphical user interface element with a discrete number of anchor points, each anchor point representing a configuration value of the adjustment mechanism.

20 . The system of claim 15 , configured to adjust the Z-order of the connection of the connection type using the Z-order function.