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- Navigating the Graph
Navigating the Graph
Learn how to navigate and explore project folder graphs using drill-down, full tree, and layout modes for efficient visualization and permission management.
Progressive Drill-Down
The graph loads one level at a time to keep things fast. When you first select a project, you see the top-level folders (e.g., Project Files, Plans) and their permissions.
To explore deeper:
- Double-click any folder node to drill into it
- The current graph stays visible with a "Refreshing..." overlay while the new level loads
- A breadcrumb trail appears at the top:
Root > Project Files > Plans
Click any breadcrumb segment to jump back to that level.
Full Tree Mode
Click the Tree toggle in the toolbar to switch from single-level navigation to full tree mode. This fetches every folder level recursively and displays the entire hierarchy as one connected graph.
In full tree mode:
- Dashed grey edges connect parent folders to their children, showing the tree structure
- Coloured edges show permission assignments as usual
- The breadcrumb is hidden since the full tree is already visible
- The graph uses a taller viewport to accommodate more nodes
- The stats line shows total folders across all levels and the depth (e.g., "4 levels deep")
Switching Back
You can exit full tree mode in two ways:
- Click the Tree toggle again to return to single-level view at the root
- Double-click any folder in the tree to drill into it — this automatically exits tree mode and shows that folder's children in single-level view
If the folder had no subfolders, a dialog will appear letting you go back.
Layout Modes
The graph supports four layout algorithms, selectable from the pill bar in the top-left of the canvas:
| Layout | Key | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Force | 1 |
Organic clustering — related nodes pull together |
| Tree | 2 |
Hierarchical view — subjects on one side, folders on the other (default) |
| Radial | 3 |
Concentric rings — folders in the centre, subjects around them |
| Grid | 4 |
Uniform spacing — useful for large numbers of nodes |
Your layout preference is saved in the browser and persists across sessions.
Wide-Screen Mode
Click the wide-screen toggle in the page header (or press W) to expand the graph to fill the entire viewing area. In wide-screen mode:
- The page header, hub/project selectors, and stats cards are hidden
- A compact toolbar shows the project name, breadcrumb, and stats inline
- The graph height expands to fill the viewport
- The view automatically fits to show all nodes
Click the toggle again (or press W) to return to normal mode.
Zoom & Pan
- Scroll wheel — zoom in and out
- Click and drag on empty space — pan the view
- Fit to View button (or
F) — auto-zoom to fit all nodes +/-keys — step zoom in and out
Refreshing Data
Click the refresh button (or press R) to reload the current level's folders and permissions from Autodesk Forma. This fetches the latest data without changing your drill-down position.