40 KiB
Constellation Analyzer - UX Analysis & Recommendations
Date: 2025-10-09 Analyst: Claude (UX/UI Design Specialist) Application Version: 0.1.0
Executive Summary
Constellation Analyzer has a solid foundation with multi-document workspace, customizable types, and essential graph editing features. However, there are significant opportunities to improve discoverability, workflow efficiency, and user guidance. This analysis identifies 28 actionable UX improvements across 6 categories.
Key Findings:
- Strong core functionality but lacks visual feedback and user guidance
- Missing keyboard shortcuts and bulk operations slow down power users
- No undo/redo creates fear of mistakes
- Layout tools missing for professional-looking graphs
- Limited analysis/visualization features for actual constellation analysis
- Accessibility gaps that limit usability
1. CRITICAL MISSING FEATURES
These features significantly impact core usability and should be prioritized.
1.1 Undo/Redo System
Priority: CRITICAL
Problem: Users fear making mistakes because there's no way to reverse actions. This creates anxiety and slows down exploration.
Why It's Needed:
- Accidental deletions are permanent
- Users can't experiment freely with layout
- Error recovery requires manual reconstruction
- Industry-standard expectation for any editor
Implementation:
- Add history stack to workspace store (max 50 actions)
- Track: node add/delete/move, edge add/delete/edit, type changes
- Keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+Z (undo), Ctrl+Y / Ctrl+Shift+Z (redo)
- Show undo/redo buttons in toolbar with disabled state
- Display action description on hover ("Undo: Delete Actor")
Design Pattern:
[Toolbar]
[Undo ↶] [Redo ↷] | [Add Actor] ...
History Stack:
- Move Person Actor (250, 300) → (350, 400)
- Add Relation: Collaborates
- Delete Actor: System XYZ
1.2 Keyboard Shortcuts
Priority: CRITICAL
Problem: Users must reach for mouse for every action, slowing down power users significantly.
Why It's Needed:
- Professional users expect keyboard efficiency
- Reduces repetitive strain from mouse use
- Faster workflow for frequent operations
- Current keyboard support is extremely limited
Implementation:
Document Management:
- Ctrl+N: New Document
- Ctrl+O: Document Manager
- Ctrl+S: Export Current Document
- Ctrl+W: Close Current Tab
- Ctrl+Tab: Next Document
- Ctrl+Shift+Tab: Previous Document
Graph Editing:
- Delete/Backspace: Delete selected (already works)
- Ctrl+A: Select All
- Ctrl+D: Duplicate Selected
- Escape: Deselect All / Close Panels
- Ctrl+Z: Undo
- Ctrl+Y: Redo
Node Creation (Quick Add):
- P: Add Person
- O: Add Organization
- S: Add System
- C: Add Concept
View:
- F: Fit View to Content
- Ctrl+0: Reset Zoom (100%)
- Ctrl++: Zoom In
- Ctrl+-: Zoom Out
- G: Toggle Grid
Selection:
- Shift+Click: Multi-select
- Ctrl+Click: Add/Remove from selection
UI Enhancement:
- Add keyboard shortcuts to menu items (already partially done)
- Add "Keyboard Shortcuts" menu item or modal (? key)
- Show tooltip hints on buttons ("Add Person (P)")
1.3 Visual Feedback for Interactions
Priority: CRITICAL
Problem: Users don't receive clear feedback about actions, system state, or what's happening.
Why It's Needed:
- Users unsure if actions succeeded
- No loading states for file operations
- No success/error notifications
- Confusing when nothing appears to happen
Implementation:
Toast Notifications:
// Add toast notification system
- Success: "Document exported successfully"
- Error: "Failed to import file: Invalid format"
- Info: "Viewport restored to saved position"
- Warning: "Unsaved changes will be lost"
Position: Top-right corner
Duration: 3-5 seconds
Dismissible: Yes (X button)
Max visible: 3 stacked
Loading Indicators:
- File import/export operations
- Workspace operations
- Large graph rendering
Action Feedback:
- Node created: Brief highlight animation
- Edge created: Pulse animation
- Item deleted: Fade out animation
- Item updated: Subtle flash
Visual States:
- Hover states on all interactive elements (improve existing)
- Active/selected states (already exists, enhance)
- Disabled states for unavailable actions
- Focus indicators for keyboard navigation
1.4 Search and Filter
Priority: HIGH
Problem: In complex graphs with many nodes, users can't find specific actors or relations quickly.
Why It's Needed:
- Large graphs become difficult to navigate
- Can't find specific nodes by name
- No way to filter by type
- Can't identify all instances of a relation type
Implementation:
Search Panel (Collapsible Sidebar):
┌─────────────────────────┐
│ 🔍 Search & Filter │
├─────────────────────────┤
│ Search: [_____________] │
│ │
│ Filter by Actor Type: │
│ ☑ Person │
│ ☑ Organization │
│ ☐ System │
│ ☑ Concept │
│ │
│ Filter by Relation: │
│ ☑ Collaborates │
│ ☐ Reports To │
│ ☑ Depends On │
│ ☑ Influences │
│ │
│ Results: 12 actors │
│ [Clear Filters] │
└─────────────────────────┘
Features:
- Real-time search as user types
- Search matches: node label, description, type
- Highlight matching nodes on canvas
- Click result to focus/center on node
- Filter visibility (dim/hide non-matching)
- Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+F to open search
Visual Feedback:
- Matching nodes: highlight with glow
- Non-matching nodes: reduce opacity to 30%
- Search result count indicator
1.5 Bulk Selection and Operations
Priority: HIGH
Problem: Users can only operate on one item at a time, making large-scale edits tedious.
Why It's Needed:
- Repositioning multiple related nodes
- Deleting multiple actors at once
- Changing type for multiple items
- Grouping related items
Implementation:
Selection Methods:
- Shift+Click: Add to selection
- Ctrl+Click: Toggle selection
- Click-drag on empty canvas: Rectangle selection box
- Ctrl+A: Select all nodes
Bulk Operations:
When 2+ nodes selected, show floating toolbar:
┌────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [3 selected] │
│ [Delete] [Group] [Align] [Distribute] [Change Type ▼] │
└────────────────────────────────────┘
Operations:
- Delete selected: Remove all with confirmation
- Change type: Dropdown to change all to same type
- Align: Left/Right/Top/Bottom/Center
- Distribute: Evenly space horizontally/vertically
- Group: Visual grouping indicator
Visual:
- Selected nodes: blue outline + handles
- Selection box: dashed blue rectangle
- Selection count badge
2. WORKFLOW IMPROVEMENTS
Enhance common tasks and user efficiency.
2.1 Quick Add Panel with Preview
Priority: HIGH
Problem: Users can't see what actor types look like before adding, and the toolbar takes up significant space.
Why It's Needed:
- Visual preview helps users choose correct type
- Current implementation requires trial-and-error
- Toolbar could be collapsible to save space
Implementation:
Toolbar Enhancement:
[▼ Add Actor] [Relation: Collaborates ▼] [Layout ▼] [View ▼]
When "Add Actor" clicked, show dropdown with previews:
┌──────────────────────────────┐
│ Person [●] Individual │ ← Hover shows full description
│ Organization [●] Company │
│ System [●] Technical │
│ Concept [●] Abstract │
├──────────────────────────────┤
│ + Customize Actor Types... │
└──────────────────────────────┘
Features:
- Visual color indicator
- Truncated description
- Hover tooltip with full details
- Quick access to configuration
- Click item OR drag onto canvas
2.2 Smart Connection Suggestions
Priority: MEDIUM
Problem: When creating relations, users might miss logical connections or create incompatible relationships.
Why It's Needed:
- Helps users discover relationship patterns
- Prevents logical errors
- Speeds up graph construction
- Provides intelligent assistance
Implementation:
Suggestion System:
- When hovering over node handle: Show valid targets with subtle highlight
- After creating connection: "Similar actors you might want to connect:"
- Based on patterns: If Person→Organization exists, suggest other Persons
Visual Feedback:
User hovers on Person handle:
→ All Organizations slightly highlight (compatible types)
→ All existing Persons dim (already connected)
→ Show tooltip: "Drag to create Collaborates relation"
Configuration:
- Optional feature (enable/disable in settings)
- Type-based connection rules (configure in type settings)
- Pattern learning (suggest based on existing graph)
2.3 Layout Algorithms
Priority: HIGH
Problem: Users must manually position every node, which is tedious and produces inconsistent results.
Why It's Needed:
- Professional-looking graphs require good layout
- Manual positioning is time-consuming
- Difficult to achieve balanced composition
- Standard feature in graph editors
Implementation:
Layout Menu:
[Layout ▼]
├─ Force-Directed (Organic)
├─ Hierarchical (Top-Down)
├─ Hierarchical (Left-Right)
├─ Circular
├─ Grid
├─ Tree
├─ Radial
└─ ───────────────
└─ Align Selected
├─ Align Left
├─ Align Right
├─ Align Top
├─ Align Bottom
├─ Align Center Horizontal
└─ Align Center Vertical
└─ Distribute Selected
├─ Distribute Horizontally
└─ Distribute Vertically
Features:
- One-click auto-layout
- Preserve manual adjustments (optional)
- Animate layout transitions
- Undo-able layout changes
- Settings per layout type (spacing, direction)
Use Cases:
- Initial graph organization
- Re-organize after adding many nodes
- Create presentation-ready layouts
- Align nodes for clarity
2.4 Duplicate and Clone
Priority: MEDIUM
Problem: Creating similar actors requires re-entering all properties manually.
Why It's Needed:
- Common workflow: create similar actors
- Reduces repetitive data entry
- Faster graph construction
- Standard editor feature
Implementation:
Methods:
- Context menu: "Duplicate Actor"
- Keyboard: Ctrl+D (when node selected)
- Drag with Ctrl held: Clone while dragging
Behavior:
- Creates new node near original (+20px offset)
- Copies all properties (label, type, description, metadata)
- Appends " (Copy)" to label
- Enters edit mode immediately for renaming
- Does NOT duplicate relations (only node properties)
Optional Enhancement:
- "Duplicate with Relations" option
- Duplicate entire subgraph (selection + relations)
2.5 Templates and Patterns
Priority: MEDIUM
Problem: Users recreate common graph patterns repeatedly. Current template only copies types, not graph structure.
Why It's Needed:
- Common constellation patterns (org charts, system diagrams)
- Saves time on repetitive structures
- Ensures consistency across documents
- Onboarding for new users
Implementation:
Template Types:
- Type Templates (Current): Actor/Relation types only
- Structure Templates (NEW): Pre-built graph patterns
Structure Templates:
File > New from Template
├─ Blank Document
├─ Organization Hierarchy
├─ System Dependencies
├─ Stakeholder Map
├─ Process Flow
└─ Custom Templates...
Template Manager:
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Template Manager │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Available Templates: │
│ • Organization Hierarchy │
│ • System Dependencies │
│ • Custom Template 1 │
│ │
│ [Create Template from Current] │
│ [Import Template] │
│ [Export Template] │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
Features:
- Save current graph as template
- Template preview thumbnails
- Share templates (export/import)
- Community template library (future)
2.6 Properties Panel Improvements
Priority: MEDIUM
Problem: Double-clicking to edit is not discoverable, properties panel is modal and blocks view.
Why It's Needed:
- Better discoverability of editing
- Non-modal editing allows viewing context
- More efficient property editing
- Better use of screen space
Implementation:
Persistent Side Panel:
┌─────────────────────────┐
│ Actor Properties [X] │
├─────────────────────────┤
│ Label: [John Doe ] │
│ │
│ Type: [Person ▼] │
│ │
│ Description: │
│ ┌─────────────────────┐ │
│ │Team lead for proj...│ │
│ │ │ │
│ └─────────────────────┘ │
│ │
│ Metadata: │
│ [+ Add Field] │
│ │
│ Connected Relations: 3 │
│ • Collaborates → Jane │
│ • Reports To → Alice │
│ • Influences → Project │
│ │
│ [Delete Actor] │
└─────────────────────────┘
Features:
- Docked to right side (resizable)
- Stays open while editing graph
- Shows selected item properties
- Quick relation overview
- Live updates as you type
- Collapsible when not needed
Toggle:
- Keyboard: Ctrl+I (Inspector)
- Button in toolbar
- Auto-show on double-click (optional)
2.7 Rich Text in Descriptions
Priority: LOW
Problem: Descriptions are plain text only, limiting documentation quality.
Why It's Needed:
- Complex actors need formatted documentation
- Links to external resources
- Lists and structured information
- Better readability
Implementation:
- Markdown editor for descriptions
- Support: bold, italic, lists, links, code blocks
- Live preview in properties panel
- Rendered markdown in node tooltip (optional)
- Keep plain text as fallback
3. DISCOVERABILITY ISSUES
Help users find and understand features.
3.1 Onboarding Tutorial
Priority: HIGH
Problem: New users don't know how to use the application or what features exist.
Why It's Needed:
- Zero guidance for first-time users
- Many features hidden in context menus
- No explanation of constellation analysis
- Reduces support burden
Implementation:
First-Time Welcome:
┌──────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Welcome to Constellation Analyzer! │
├──────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Create visual analyses of actors │
│ and their relationships. │
│ │
│ [Take Interactive Tour] │
│ [View Quick Start Guide] │
│ [Start with Blank Document] │
│ │
│ ☐ Don't show this again │
└──────────────────────────────────────┘
Interactive Tour (Step-by-step):
- "Add your first actor by clicking here..."
- "Drag to reposition actors..."
- "Create relations by dragging from handles..."
- "Double-click to edit properties..."
- "Right-click for more options..."
- "Organize with tabs and documents..."
Help System:
- "?" button in top-right corner
- Help menu with documentation links
- Contextual tooltips on first use
- Keyboard shortcut reference (? key)
3.2 Empty State Improvements
Priority: MEDIUM
Problem: Empty documents show blank canvas with no guidance.
Why It's Needed:
- Users don't know what to do first
- Blank canvas is intimidating
- Missed opportunity for onboarding
Implementation:
Empty Document State:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ 🌟 Start Your Analysis │
│ │
│ Your canvas is empty. Get started: │
│ │
│ [Add First Actor] [Import] │
│ [Use Template] │
│ │
│ Tip: Right-click anywhere to see │
│ quick add menu │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘
Features:
- Centered helpful message
- Primary action buttons
- Contextual tips
- Fades out when first node added
- Different message for each document state
3.3 Feature Discovery Tooltips
Priority: MEDIUM
Problem: Many features are hidden in context menus and keyboard shortcuts.
Why It's Needed:
- Context menus require discovery via right-click
- Keyboard shortcuts are invisible
- Users don't explore features
- Reduces feature usage
Implementation:
Enhanced Tooltips:
- Show on all interactive elements
- Include keyboard shortcuts
- Progressive disclosure (more info on hover)
- One-time feature callouts for new features
Tooltip Examples:
[Add Actor Button]
→ "Add new actor to canvas (Right-click canvas for quick add)"
[Relation Dropdown]
→ "Select relation type for new connections (Or edit after creating)"
[Document Tab]
→ "Right-click for more options (Rename, Duplicate, Export...)"
First-Time Callouts:
← 💡 Try right-clicking on empty space!
← 💡 Did you know? Press Ctrl+F to search
3.4 Status Bar
Priority: LOW
Problem: No information about current graph state, selection, or zoom level.
Why It's Needed:
- Users want to know graph statistics
- Useful context for navigation
- Professional editor expectation
- Shows system state
Implementation:
Bottom Status Bar:
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 12 Actors • 8 Relations • 3 selected • Zoom: 75% • [⚙] │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Information Displayed:
- Node count by type (hover for breakdown)
- Relation count by type
- Current selection count
- Zoom level (clickable to reset)
- Dirty state indicator
- Settings/preferences quick access
4. INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
Improve organization and structure.
4.1 Panel Organization
Priority: MEDIUM
Problem: UI gets cluttered with multiple panels, tabs, and menus competing for attention.
Why It's Needed:
- Better use of screen space
- Reduce cognitive load
- Professional tool appearance
- Scalability for new features
Implementation:
Layout Reorganization:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Logo | Constellation Analyzer [? ⚙ ×] │ ← Header
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ File Edit View Layout Help │ ← Menu Bar
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Doc1 Doc2 [+] [Tools] │ ← Tabs + Tools Toggle
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ [<] [Tools Panel] | Canvas | [Props] │ ← Main Area
│ - Add Actor | | Panel │
│ - Relation Type | | [>] │
│ - Search | | │
│ - Layout | GRAPH | │
│ [Collapsible] | EDITOR | │
│ | | │
│ | | │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 12 Actors • 8 Relations • Zoom: 100% │ ← Status Bar
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Features:
- Collapsible left panel for tools
- Collapsible right panel for properties
- More canvas space when panels collapsed
- Remember panel states per user
- Drag to resize panels
4.2 View Modes and Focus Mode
Priority: LOW
Problem: Canvas can feel cluttered, no way to focus on just the graph.
Why It's Needed:
- Presentations require clean view
- Screenshots for documentation
- Focus during analysis
- Reduce distractions
Implementation:
View Menu:
View
├─ Focus Mode (F11)
│ → Hides all UI except canvas
├─ Presentation Mode
│ → Hides editing tools, read-only
├─ ───────────────
├─ Show/Hide Grid
├─ Show/Hide MiniMap
├─ Show/Hide Toolbar
├─ Show/Hide Properties
└─ ───────────────
└─ Reset Layout
Focus Mode:
- Hide: Header, menu, tabs, toolbar, panels
- Show: Canvas only + minimal controls
- Overlay controls appear on hover
- Press Escape or F11 to exit
4.3 Document Organization
Priority: MEDIUM
Problem: All documents in flat list, no way to organize or group related documents.
Why It's Needed:
- Users work on multiple projects
- Related documents should be grouped
- Current tabs get overwhelming with many docs
- No project-level organization
Implementation:
Document Groups/Projects:
File > Document Manager
┌────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Documents [+] │
├────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 📁 Project Alpha │
│ ├─ System Overview │
│ ├─ Stakeholder Map │
│ └─ Dependencies │
│ │
│ 📁 Client Beta │
│ └─ Org Structure │
│ │
│ 📄 Untitled 1 │
│ 📄 Quick Notes │
└────────────────────────────────────┘
Features:
- Create project folders
- Drag documents into folders
- Collapse/expand folders
- Folder colors/icons
- Filter/search documents
Alternative: Tags instead of folders
- Tag documents with multiple labels
- Filter by tag
- More flexible than hierarchy
5. VISUAL AND INTERACTION ENHANCEMENTS
Improve aesthetics and interaction quality.
5.1 Node Visual Enhancements
Priority: MEDIUM
Problem: Nodes are functional but visually basic, limited customization.
Why It's Needed:
- Visual distinction helps understanding
- Professional appearance
- Express information through design
- Better screenshots for reports
Implementation:
Node Customization Options:
Node Type Configuration:
├─ Shape: □ Rectangle / ○ Circle / ◇ Diamond / ⬢ Hexagon
├─ Size: Small / Medium / Large
├─ Icon: [Select from library]
├─ Border: Width, Style, Color
├─ Shadow: Enable/Disable
└─ Badge Position: Top-right / Bottom-right
Visual Features:
- Icons from Material Icons library
- Configurable shapes per type
- Gradients and shadows
- Image avatars (optional)
- Custom CSS classes
Per-Node Overrides:
- Change individual node appearance
- Highlight important nodes
- Visual emphasis (glow, pulse)
5.2 Edge Visual Enhancements
Priority: MEDIUM
Problem: Edges are basic, limited distinction between types, hard to follow in dense graphs.
Why It's Needed:
- Multiple edge types need visual distinction
- Dense graphs become confusing
- Direction and flow unclear
- Professional visualization
Implementation:
Edge Customization:
Relation Type Configuration:
├─ Arrow Style: → ⇒ ➜ ↣
├─ Line Style: Solid / Dashed / Dotted / Curved / Straight
├─ Width: Thin / Medium / Thick
├─ Label Position: Center / Source / Target / Above / Below
├─ Animated: Flow animation for emphasis
└─ Bidirectional: ↔ arrow style
Visual Features:
- Animated flow (optional)
- Label background for readability
- Smart label positioning (avoids overlap)
- Edge bundling for dense graphs
- Curved vs straight edges
Interaction:
- Click edge to highlight path
- Hover to show source→target info
- Double-width invisible hitbox for easier clicking
5.3 Color Themes and Customization
Priority: LOW
Problem: Fixed color scheme, no dark mode, no accessibility options.
Why It's Needed:
- Different users prefer different themes
- Dark mode reduces eye strain
- Accessibility (color blindness, contrast)
- Professional branding options
Implementation:
Theme Options:
Settings > Appearance
├─ Theme: Light / Dark / Auto (system)
├─ Accent Color: [Color picker]
├─ Canvas Background: White / Gray / Custom
├─ High Contrast Mode
└─ Color Blind Safe Palette
Dark Mode:
- Dark canvas background
- Light text and nodes
- Adjusted colors for visibility
- Reduce blue light
Accessibility:
- High contrast mode
- Color blind safe palettes (Deuteranopia, Protanopia, Tritanopia)
- Pattern fills in addition to colors
- Configurable font sizes
5.4 Animation and Transitions
Priority: LOW
Problem: Some interactions are abrupt, no smooth transitions.
Why It's Needed:
- Smooth transitions feel professional
- Help users track changes
- Reduce jarring experience
- Modern UI expectation
Implementation:
Animated Actions:
- Node add: Fade in + scale up
- Node delete: Scale down + fade out
- Layout change: Smooth position transitions
- Panel open/close: Slide animation
- Tab switch: Fade transition
- Selection: Smooth highlight appearance
Performance:
- Disable animations for large graphs (>100 nodes)
- Settings to reduce motion (accessibility)
- Use CSS transforms for performance
5.5 Graph Minimap Enhancements
Priority: LOW
Problem: Minimap is basic, could provide more information and control.
Why It's Needed:
- Better orientation in large graphs
- Quick navigation
- Overview of graph structure
- Professional feature
Implementation:
Enhanced Minimap:
- Click to jump to area
- Drag viewport rectangle
- Show node labels (optional)
- Highlight selected nodes
- Cluster visualization
- Toggle visibility
Alternative Views:
- Tree/Hierarchy view
- List view (all nodes)
- Grid view (thumbnails)
6. ANALYSIS AND INSIGHTS
Features specific to constellation analysis.
6.1 Graph Metrics and Analysis
Priority: MEDIUM
Problem: Application is for "analysis" but provides no analytical tools.
Why It's Needed:
- Identify central actors
- Find isolated components
- Measure relationship density
- Quantitative insights
Implementation:
Analysis Panel:
View > Analysis
┌─────────────────────────────────┐
│ Graph Metrics [↻] │
├─────────────────────────────────┤
│ Actors: 24 │
│ Relations: 31 │
│ Density: 0.27 │
│ Avg Connections: 2.58 │
│ │
│ Most Connected Actors: │
│ 1. Alice (8 connections) │
│ 2. Bob (6 connections) │
│ 3. Charlie (5 connections) │
│ │
│ Isolated Actors: 3 │
│ Components: 2 │
│ │
│ [Export Report] │
└─────────────────────────────────┘
Metrics:
- Node degree (connections per node)
- Centrality measures (betweenness, closeness)
- Graph density
- Connected components
- Clustering coefficient
- Shortest paths
Visualizations:
- Heat map by connection count
- Highlight central nodes
- Show communities/clusters
- Path highlighting
6.2 Filtering and Layers
Priority: MEDIUM
Problem: Complex graphs become cluttered, can't focus on subset of information.
Why It's Needed:
- Large graphs are overwhelming
- Need to focus on specific aspects
- Progressive disclosure of complexity
- Different views for different audiences
Implementation:
Layer System:
View > Layers
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ ☑ All Actors │
│ ├─ ☑ Persons │
│ ├─ ☑ Organizations │
│ ├─ ☐ Systems │
│ └─ ☑ Concepts │
│ │
│ ☑ All Relations │
│ ├─ ☑ Collaborates │
│ ├─ ☐ Reports To │
│ ├─ ☑ Depends On │
│ └─ ☐ Influences │
└─────────────────────────────┘
Features:
- Toggle visibility by type
- Fade vs hide
- Filter combinations
- Save filter presets
- "Show only selected + neighbors"
Use Cases:
- Hide systems, show only people
- Show only hierarchy relations
- Focus on specific subgraph
- Simplify for presentations
6.3 Path Finding and Highlighting
Priority: LOW
Problem: Can't visualize paths or chains of relationships.
Why It's Needed:
- Understanding influence chains
- Tracing dependencies
- Finding shortest paths
- Relationship exploration
Implementation:
Path Tools:
Right-click node > Find Paths
├─ Highlight All Connections
├─ Find Path to Another Actor...
├─ Show Incoming Relations
└─ Show Outgoing Relations
Features:
- Select two nodes, show shortest path
- Highlight all paths between nodes
- Show neighborhood (n-hops away)
- Animate path traversal
- Path length metrics
Visual:
- Highlight path nodes and edges
- Dim non-path elements
- Show path direction with animation
- Display path length
6.4 Comparison Mode
Priority: LOW
Problem: Can't compare different versions or alternative scenarios.
Why It's Needed:
- Before/after analysis
- Compare alternative structures
- Version comparison
- Decision support
Implementation:
Comparison View:
View > Compare Documents
┌────────────────────┬────────────────────┐
│ Document A │ Document B │
│ │ │
│ [Current] │ [Version 2] │
│ │ │
│ Differences: │ │
│ + 3 actors added │ │
│ - 1 actor removed │ │
│ ~ 2 relations │ │
│ changed │ │
└────────────────────┴────────────────────┘
Features:
- Side-by-side view
- Highlight differences
- Show added/removed/changed items
- Diff report
- Merge changes
6.5 Comments and Annotations
Priority: LOW
Problem: Can't add notes or discuss specific parts of the graph.
Why It's Needed:
- Collaborative review
- Document insights
- Remember context
- Asynchronous feedback
Implementation:
Annotation System:
Right-click > Add Comment
┌─────────────────────────┐
│ 💬 Comment │
├─────────────────────────┤
│ This relationship needs │
│ verification... │
│ │
│ - User, 2 hours ago │
│ │
│ [Reply] [Resolve] │
└─────────────────────────┘
Features:
- Attach comments to nodes/edges
- General canvas comments
- Thread replies
- Resolve/unresolve
- Comment visibility toggle
- Export with comments
7. ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS
Make the application usable for all users.
7.1 Keyboard Navigation
Priority: HIGH
Problem: Limited keyboard support beyond basic shortcuts.
Why It's Needed:
- Accessibility requirement
- Power user efficiency
- Motor disability support
- Screen reader compatibility
Implementation:
Full Keyboard Support:
Navigation:
- Tab: Move focus through UI elements
- Arrow Keys: Move focus between nodes
- Enter: Select/Edit focused element
- Space: Toggle selection
- Escape: Cancel/Close
Node Operations:
- Tab to node → Enter to select
- Arrow keys to move selection
- Delete to remove
- E to edit properties
Visual Focus:
- Clear focus indicators (outline)
- Focus trap in modals
- Skip navigation links
- Focus restoration after actions
7.2 Screen Reader Support
Priority: HIGH
Problem: No ARIA labels, semantic HTML, or screen reader announcements.
Why It's Needed:
- Legal requirement (WCAG 2.1 AA)
- Users with visual impairments
- Essential for accessibility
- Professional application standard
Implementation:
ARIA Labels:
<button aria-label="Add Person actor">Person</button>
<div role="graph" aria-label="Constellation graph with 12 actors">
<div role="node" aria-label="Person: John Doe, 3 connections">
<div role="edge" aria-label="Collaborates relationship from John to Jane">
Live Regions:
<div aria-live="polite" aria-atomic="true">
Actor "John Doe" added to graph
</div>
Keyboard Announcements:
- Action feedback
- Error messages
- State changes
- Navigation context
7.3 High Contrast Mode
Priority: MEDIUM
Problem: Low contrast makes UI hard to see for users with vision impairments.
Why It's Needed:
- Accessibility requirement
- Low vision support
- Bright environment use
- Aging population
Implementation:
High Contrast Theme:
- Black on white or white on black
- Minimum 7:1 contrast ratio (WCAG AAA)
- Bold borders on all elements
- No color-only information
- Pattern fills for node types
Settings:
Accessibility Settings:
☑ High Contrast Mode
☑ Bold Text
☑ Large Focus Indicators
☑ Reduce Motion
IMPLEMENTATION PRIORITY MATRIX
Phase 1: Critical Foundation (2-3 weeks)
- Undo/Redo System
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- Visual Feedback (Toasts, Loading)
- Search and Filter
- Bulk Selection
Why First: Core usability blockers that affect every user interaction.
Phase 2: Workflow Enhancement (2-3 weeks)
- Layout Algorithms
- Properties Panel Improvements
- Onboarding Tutorial
- Empty State Improvements
- Graph Metrics
Why Second: Improves daily workflows and user productivity.
Phase 3: Professional Features (3-4 weeks)
- Panel Organization
- Node Visual Enhancements
- Edge Visual Enhancements
- Duplicate and Clone
- Templates and Patterns
Why Third: Polish and professional-grade features.
Phase 4: Advanced Analysis (2-3 weeks)
- Filtering and Layers
- Path Finding
- Quick Add Panel
- Smart Suggestions
- Comparison Mode
Why Fourth: Advanced features for power users.
Phase 5: Accessibility (2 weeks)
- Full Keyboard Navigation
- Screen Reader Support
- High Contrast Mode
- Focus Mode
Why Fifth: Essential but can be done parallel to other work.
Phase 6: Polish (1-2 weeks)
- Color Themes
- Animation and Transitions
- Status Bar
- Rich Text Descriptions
Why Last: Nice-to-have features that enhance but aren't critical.
METRICS FOR SUCCESS
Track these to measure UX improvements:
Usability Metrics
- Time to create first graph (target: <2 minutes)
- Time to complete common tasks
- Error rate (undo usage as proxy)
- Feature discovery rate
- Keyboard shortcut usage
User Satisfaction
- Task completion rate
- Frustration incidents
- Help documentation access
- User feedback sentiment
Performance Metrics
- Time to first interaction
- Graph render time (target: <100ms for 50 nodes)
- Smooth animations (60fps)
- Memory usage for large graphs
CONCLUSION
Constellation Analyzer has strong bones but needs UX polish to become a professional tool. The highest-impact improvements are:
- Undo/Redo - Removes user fear and enables exploration
- Keyboard Shortcuts - Dramatically improves power user efficiency
- Visual Feedback - Makes system transparent and trustworthy
- Search/Filter - Essential for complex graphs
- Layout Tools - Transforms manual tedium into one-click professionalism
By addressing these priorities in phases, the application will evolve from a functional editor to a delightful, professional constellation analysis tool.
APPENDIX: USER SCENARIOS
Scenario 1: New User First Session
Current Experience:
- Opens app, sees blank canvas
- Uncertain what to do
- Clicks around, finds toolbar
- Adds random nodes
- Can't figure out how to connect them
- Gives up or searches for documentation
Improved Experience:
- Opens app, sees welcome dialog
- Takes quick interactive tour (2 min)
- Starts with template
- Adds nodes using quick shortcuts
- Creates relations with visual feedback
- Saves and shares confidently
Scenario 2: Power User Daily Workflow
Current Experience:
- Creates new document manually
- Clicks to add each node
- Manually positions everything
- Double-clicks each for properties
- Saves, exports manually
Improved Experience:
- Ctrl+N for new document
- Uses keyboard shortcuts (P, O, S)
- Auto-layout with one click
- Bulk edit properties panel
- Ctrl+S to export
- Time saved: 60%
Scenario 3: Presenting Analysis
Current Experience:
- Graph is messy from editing
- UI elements distract from content
- Takes screenshot, crops manually
- Still shows toolbar, tabs
Improved Experience:
- Press F11 for focus mode
- Clean, professional view
- Present live or screenshot
- Audience focuses on content
- Professional appearance achieved
Document Version: 1.0 Last Updated: 2025-10-09 Contact: For questions about this analysis or implementation guidance