Automatic layout of diagrams for software specification

This paper presents an automatic layout tool which applies fuzzy theory to rule-based layout of diagrams in graphical models. MERA (Meta-Entity-Relation-Attribute) is used as a uniform language for various graphical models used in requirements and design specifications of software. A unique feature of the tool is that a layout of a diagram in a graphical model is produced, based on the layout rules implied by semantics of the diagram and the model formalism. Another unique feature of the tool is that layout rules for a graphical model can automatically be generated from layout examples given by users. The examples of a diagram layout can be regarded as stereotypes of the diagram layout for the model. A prototype of the automatic layout tool has been implemented in SUN Common Lisp using CLOS