Force directed flow map layout

A flow map is a thematic map that is been used to emphasize the spatial pattern of one or more geographic attributes. Although this kind of thematic maps is often drawn by hand, a few automatic computer algorithms exist. In this research paper, we proposed a novel algorithm for the automatic generation of flow maps that is theoretically grounded on physics' laws to describe the motion and force of attraction or repulsion between points. Properties associated to these laws are then used to merge different flows, as well as for the improvement of the maps' visual quality. Finally, we evaluate our work by generating a set of flow maps and by doing a comparison with flow maps produced by existing algorithms.