Orthogonal graph layout algorithms aim to produce clear, compact, and readable network diagrams by arranging nodes and edges along horizontal and vertical lines, while minimizing bends and crossings. Most existing orthogonal layout methods focus primarily on quality criteria such as area usage, total edge length, and bend minimization. Explicitly controlling the global aspect ratio (AR) of the resulting layout is as of now unexplored. Existing orthogonal layout methods offer no control over the resulting AR and their rigid geometric constraints make adaptation of finished layouts difficult. With the increasing variety of aspect ratios encountered in daily life, from wide monitors to tall mobile devices or fixed-size interface panels, there is a clear need for aspect ratio control in orthogonal layout methods. To tackle this issue, we introduce Aspect Ratio-Constrained Orthogonal Layout (ARCOL). Building upon the Human-like Orthogonal Layout Algorithm (HOLA)~\cite{Kieffer2016}, we integrate aspect ratio at two different stages: (1) into the stress minimization phase, as a soft constraint, allowing the layout algorithm to gently guide node positions toward a specified target AR, while preserving visual clarity and topological faithfulness; and (2) into the tree reattachment phase, where we modify the cost function to favor placements that improve the AR. We evaluate our approach through quantitative evaluation and a user study, as well as expert interviews. Our evaluations show that ARCOL produces balanced and space efficient orthogonal layouts across diverse aspect ratios.

翻译：正交图布局算法旨在通过沿水平和垂直线排列节点和边，同时最小化弯折和交叉，生成清晰、紧凑且可读的网络图。现有大多数正交布局方法主要关注面积利用、总边长和弯折最小化等质量标准，但明确控制生成布局的整体宽高比（AR）目前尚未被探索。现有正交布局方法无法控制生成的宽高比，其严格的几何约束使得成品布局难以调整。随着日常生活中遇到的宽高比日益多样化（从宽屏显示器到高屏移动设备或固定尺寸界面面板），正交布局方法中亟需宽高比控制功能。为解决此问题，我们提出宽高比约束正交布局（ARCOL）。基于类人正交布局算法（HOLA）~\cite{Kieffer2016}，我们在两个不同阶段整合宽高比：（1）在应力最小化阶段作为软约束，允许布局算法轻柔地将节点位置引导至指定的目标宽高比，同时保持视觉清晰度和拓扑保真度；（2）在树重新附着阶段，修改成本函数以优先选择改善宽高比的放置方案。我们通过定量评估、用户研究及专家访谈来评价该方法。评估结果表明，ARCOL能在不同宽高比下生成平衡且空间高效的正交布局。