Nodes and relationships

Create a node

Create nodes from the Nodes tab in Tables or from a relational layout.

1. Choose or create a node type.
2. Give the node a name if it needs one.
3. Fill the properties attached to its type.
4. When project time is active, choose Timeless if the node should exist outside the current moment.
5. Create the node, or use Create + spatial layout to give it an owned map immediately.

The preferred create action is remembered for the project.

Create a relationship

From Tables, choose Add edge after at least two nodes exist. From a node detail page, choose Add connection, choose whether the connection runs From this node or To this node, then choose its type and the node at the other end. On a relational canvas, use the Connect tool to draw one visually. In Add connection, focus the type or node selector and type to filter its options. Focus moves into the dialog when it opens; use Tab and Shift+Tab to move through its controls.

Every relationship has:

• an edge type;
• a source node and a different target node;
• optional type properties;
• an optional validity interval when time is active.

Direction matters in Query and on node detail pages. An outgoing relationship starts at the current node; an incoming one ends there.

Work from a detail page

A node detail page shows its type, properties, connections, layouts, rich content, and time actions. A relationship detail page shows the same core sections plus its source and target.

The status badge beside the title shows whether the item is Active or Inactive at the viewed project time. In All time, it says All time because the graph is not projected at a single moment. Connection rows on node detail pages also mark active relationships when project time is active. The Start and End rows in the top-right show the formatted activity period. A relationship’s displayed period is also limited by the active intervals of its source and target.

From a node you can:

• create incoming or outgoing connections while keeping the current node as one endpoint;
• open connected nodes;
• expand long connection lists;
• choose Add spatial layout to name and create an owned layout, then open or delete owned layouts;
• open layouts that reference the node;
• edit properties and notes.

From a relationship you can open either endpoint and any referencing layout.

Change when an item is active

Select the Start and End rows on a node or relationship detail page to edit its activity period. Choose either date to open the project calendar, or use Now to copy the current viewed project time into that boundary. Now is unavailable in All time because there is no current moment to copy.

Use No beginning or No end for an open boundary. All time clears both boundaries. The start must be earlier than the end. Changing activity is different from deletion: historical views can still include the item when it was active.

Caution

There is no hard-delete action for nodes on the current Tables or detail pages. On a relational canvas, Delete removes a node placement but deletes a selected relationship from the graph.