Improved efficiency of spring embedders: taking advantage of GPU programming

Abstract : This paper introduces an approach aimed at improving computation time for spring embedders in a context of graph visualization. The approach relies on recent developments in the utilization of graphic processor units (GPU) for generic numerical computation. We show how a GPU can greatly improve computation time, hence opening many previously unattainable possibilities in terms of interactive applications. Our method has been implemented in software used for benchmarks demonstrating large performance gain.