System and method for simplifying a graph'S topology and persevering the graph'S semantics

摘要

In one embodiment, a technique is provided for maintaining semantics of a graph that corresponds to a model of a physical entity. Node data structures are defined, instantiations of which are used to represent primitive nodes and group nodes of the graph. Link data structures are defined, instantiations of which are used to represent primitive links and group links of the graph. A technique for grouping nodes of the graph is provided, which may be used to remove elements from the graph to create a simplified representation. A technique for ungrouping nodes of the graph is provided, which may be used to restore elements to the graph to return to an unsimplified representation.