Overview#
A senior analyst is briefing a task force commander on a terrorism financing network. The case involves 340 entities across nine countries, dozens of financial flows, and a cluster of shell companies that sit at the centre of the operation. A spreadsheet would take an hour to explain. An interactive 3D graph, with nodes coloured by risk level, edges animated to show fund direction, and communities visually grouped by jurisdiction, communicates the entire network structure in under two minutes.
The Graph Visualisation Engine transforms complex network data into interactive, real-time visual experiences that enable rapid pattern discovery, anomaly detection, and relationship exploration. The WebGL-powered renderer supports graphs with 150,000+ nodes at smooth frame rates directly in the browser, with 12 advanced layout algorithms and full 3D visualisation available alongside conventional 2D views.
Key Features#
- High-performance WebGL rendering of graphs with 150,000+ nodes and tens of thousands of edges at smooth frame rates
- 12 layout algorithms including force-directed, hierarchical, circular, geographic, radial, grid, community detection, spectral, timeline, bipartite, treemap, and 3D force-directed
- Adaptive level-of-detail optimisation automatically adjusting rendering detail based on zoom level and performance
- Interactive exploration tools including smooth zoom and pan, node selection, lasso selection, neighbourhood expansion, and full-text search
- Data-driven visual encoding mapping properties to colours, sizes, shapes, and opacity with 20+ built-in colour schemes
- Real-time streaming updates rendering new nodes and edges as they arrive through WebSocket connections with smooth animations
- Multi-user collaboration features including shared views, live cursors, annotation layers, and synchronised viewport control
- 3D graph visualisation with orbit navigation, fly-through exploration, and VR/AR headset support through WebXR
- Edge bundling and label decluttering for readable visualisation of dense networks
- Customisable node shapes including circles, squares, diamonds, icons, and custom images
- Animated edge particles showing directional flow for transaction and communication visualisation
- Automatic legend generation based on active visual encoding configurations
- View snapshot and sharing capabilities for team communication and evidence documentation
- Touch-optimised rendering for tablet and mobile device exploration
- Keyboard shortcuts and gesture controls optimising analyst workflows
Use Cases#
- Criminal Network Mapping: Law enforcement visualises suspects, associates, locations, and communications with timeline filtering and evidence annotation for major investigations
- Financial Fraud Detection: Analysts explore transaction networks with risk-based colour encoding and real-time streaming to detect suspicious patterns as they emerge
- Threat Intelligence Analysis: Cybersecurity teams visualise indicators of compromise with geographic mapping and community clustering to identify attack campaigns
- Executive Briefing: Investigation teams create polished 3D visualisations and annotated graph views for stakeholder presentations and case summaries
Integration#
- Browser-based deployment requiring no plugins, with WebGL 2.0 acceleration and Canvas 2D fallback
- Connects with the Neo4j graph analysis layer and PostgreSQL data store through typed APIs with real-time WebSocket subscriptions
- Compatible with investigation platforms through embeddable JavaScript components and React integration
- Role-based access controls for visualisation configuration and annotation management
- Complete audit trail of all annotation and view modification actions
- Responsive design supporting desktop, tablet, and mobile platforms
- Accessibility features including colorblind-safe colour schemes
Open Standards#
- GEXF 1.3 (Graph Exchange XML Format): Graph data can be exported as GEXF 1.3 XML, enabling interoperability with external tools such as Gephi and Cytoscape for further analysis.
- GraphQL: All graph queries, mutations, and real-time subscriptions are exposed through a typed GraphQL API, allowing clients to retrieve exactly the node and edge data they need.
- RFC 6455 (WebSocket Protocol): Real-time node and edge streaming, live cursors, and multi-user synchronised viewports are delivered over RFC 6455 WebSocket connections.
- openCypher (Cypher Query Language): The Neo4j graph analysis layer is queried using the openCypher Cypher query language, supporting parameterised path traversal and pattern matching.
- WebGL 2.0 (Khronos Group): The browser renderer uses WebGL 2.0 GPU acceleration to achieve smooth frame rates on graphs with 150,000 or more nodes, with a Canvas 2D fallback for unsupported devices.
- WebXR Device API (W3C): Three-dimensional graph views support VR and AR headset exploration via the W3C WebXR Device API, requiring no additional browser plugins.
- W3C WCAG 2.2: Colourblind-safe colour schemes and accessible visual encoding configurations are provided in line with W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2.
Last Reviewed: 2026-02-23 Last Updated: 2026-04-14