Relationship

Hive plot

Positions network nodes on attribute-defined axes and connects their links.

Diagram
Relationship
Structure

What it answers

How do connections relate to node attributes?

Shape: Nodes on radial axes with curved links
What it shows: Between-type links and attribute-based structure.

Example

The question

How are links spread between suppliers, factories and customers?

Supply links on three axes (hive plot)

Three axes for suppliers, factories and customers; each dot is one, placed further out the more orders it handles, and curves join linked pairs. Links spread evenly with no single dominant hub.

Illustrative data. It belongs to no company.

When to use it

Use it when

Comparing networks with explicit attribute-based layout.

Avoid it when

When axis assignment has no analytical meaning.

How to read it

Read each radial axis definition and position before following links.

Note

Specify axis assignment and position rules.

The data you need

Layout: Two linked tables
Fields: Edges: Source,Target; Nodes: NodeID,AxisGroup,Position
One row is: One relationship in the edge table; one axis assignment and position per node. What is the grain?
Rules: Every edge endpoint must exist in Nodes. Define how attributes determine axis and position.
Optional: Separate Nodes table: NodeID,Label,Type. Include isolated nodes there.
Preparation: Resolve node identities and endpoint joins; define direction and duplicate/self-link handling. Aggregate weights only under a stated relationship or flow definition.
Units: Unweighted links encode presence. Weights need a unit; flow shares divide by stated source, destination or network totals, not an assumed common denominator.

Two linked tables, joined by a shared key column.

Worked example

NodeA is on Input axis at 1; B on Output at 2; edgeA-B joins them. Position comes from supplied attributes, not simulated distance.

Nodes: NodeID	AxisGroup	Position
A	Input	1
B	Output	2
Edges: Source	Target
A	B

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