Drawing Reeb Graphs

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Chambers, Erin, Fasy, Brittany Terese, Sereshgi, Erfan Hosseini, Löffler, Maarten
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Chambers, Erin
Fasy, Brittany Terese
Sereshgi, Erfan Hosseini
Löffler, Maarten
author_facet Chambers, Erin
Fasy, Brittany Terese
Sereshgi, Erfan Hosseini
Löffler, Maarten
contents Reeb graphs are simple topological descriptors with applications in many areas like topological data analysis and computational geometry. Despite their prevalence, visualization of Reeb graphs has received less attention. In this paper, we bridge an essential gap in the literature by exploring the complexity of drawing Reeb graphs. Specifically, we demonstrate that Reeb graph crossing number minimization is NP-hard, both for straight-lined and curved edges. On the other hand, we identify specific classes of Reeb graphs, namely paths and caterpillars, for which crossing-free drawings exist. We also give an optimal algorithm for drawing cycle-shaped Reeb graphs with the least number of crossings and provide initial observations on the complexities of drawing multi-cycle Reeb graphs. We hope that this work establishes the foundation for an understanding of the graph drawing challenges inherent in Reeb graph visualization and paves the way for future work in this area.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2504_21329
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Drawing Reeb Graphs
Chambers, Erin
Fasy, Brittany Terese
Sereshgi, Erfan Hosseini
Löffler, Maarten
Computational Geometry
F.2.2; G.2.2
Reeb graphs are simple topological descriptors with applications in many areas like topological data analysis and computational geometry. Despite their prevalence, visualization of Reeb graphs has received less attention. In this paper, we bridge an essential gap in the literature by exploring the complexity of drawing Reeb graphs. Specifically, we demonstrate that Reeb graph crossing number minimization is NP-hard, both for straight-lined and curved edges. On the other hand, we identify specific classes of Reeb graphs, namely paths and caterpillars, for which crossing-free drawings exist. We also give an optimal algorithm for drawing cycle-shaped Reeb graphs with the least number of crossings and provide initial observations on the complexities of drawing multi-cycle Reeb graphs. We hope that this work establishes the foundation for an understanding of the graph drawing challenges inherent in Reeb graph visualization and paves the way for future work in this area.
title Drawing Reeb Graphs
topic Computational Geometry
F.2.2; G.2.2
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.21329