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Labella.js

"Labels should be beautiful."

If you try to place labels for points on a timeline (or any 1D space), one common problem is the labels often overlap. How about making the labels push each other. Use the force, jedi-style.

Play with interactive demo to learn more
See examples: up | down | left | right | with text
Read the instructions on this page or API reference.

Moreover, if you are looking for a ready-to-use timeline component with Labella's smart labeling instead of building your own timeline from scratch, check out d3Kit-timeline

Install

npm install labella --save

bower install labella --save

Import to your project

Choice 1. Global

Adding this library via <script> tag is the simplest way. By doing this, labella is available in the global scope.

<script src="labella.min.js"></script>

Choice 2: AMD

If you use requirejs, Labella.js support AMD out of the box.

require(['path/to/labella'], function(labella) {
  // do something
});

Choice 3: node.js / browserify

Labella.js also supports usage in commonjs style.

var labella = require('path/to/labella');

Example

// idealPos: The most preferred position for each label
// width:    The width of each label
var nodes = [
  new labella.Node(1, 50), // idealPos, width
  new labella.Node(2, 50),
  new labella.Node(3, 50),
  new labella.Node(3, 50),
  new labella.Node(3, 50),
];

var force = new labella.Force()
  .nodes(nodes)
  // Listen when the nodes' positions are updated.
  .on('end', function(){
    // The rendering is independent from this library.
    // User can use canvas, svg or any library to draw the labels.
    // There is also a built-in helper labella.Renderer for this purpose. See the examples
    draw(force.nodes());
  })
  // Run simulation at most 100 rounds. It may end earlier if equillibrium is reached.
  .start(100);

Author

Krist Wongsuphasawat / @kristw

nathanielw/labella.js