vis

⚠️ This project is not maintained anymore! Please go to https://github.com/visjs

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Quick Overview

Vis.js is a dynamic, browser-based visualization library. It is designed to handle large amounts of dynamic data and enables users to manipulate and interact with the data. The library consists of multiple components for creating network diagrams, timelines, graphs, and more.

Pros

Highly interactive and customizable visualizations
Supports large datasets with smooth performance
Multiple visualization types (networks, timelines, graphs)
Active community and regular updates

Cons

Learning curve can be steep for complex visualizations
Documentation could be more comprehensive
Some users report occasional performance issues with very large datasets
Limited built-in styling options, requiring custom CSS for advanced designs

Code Examples

Creating a basic timeline:

var container = document.getElementById('visualization');
var items = new vis.DataSet([
  {id: 1, content: 'Item 1', start: '2023-01-01'},
  {id: 2, content: 'Item 2', start: '2023-01-03'}
]);
var options = {};
var timeline = new vis.Timeline(container, items, options);

Creating a network diagram:

var nodes = new vis.DataSet([
  {id: 1, label: 'Node 1'},
  {id: 2, label: 'Node 2'}
]);
var edges = new vis.DataSet([
  {from: 1, to: 2}
]);
var container = document.getElementById('mynetwork');
var data = {
  nodes: nodes,
  edges: edges
};
var options = {};
var network = new vis.Network(container, data, options);

Creating a 2D graph:

var container = document.getElementById('visualization');
var items = [
  {x: '2023-01-01', y: 30},
  {x: '2023-01-02', y: 50},
  {x: '2023-01-03', y: 40}
];
var dataset = new vis.DataSet(items);
var options = {
  start: '2023-01-01',
  end: '2023-01-03'
};
var graph2d = new vis.Graph2d(container, dataset, options);

Getting Started

Include Vis.js in your project:

<script src="https://unpkg.com/vis-network/standalone/umd/vis-network.min.js"></script>

Create a container element in your HTML:

<div id="mynetwork"></div>

Initialize a visualization (e.g., a network):

var nodes = new vis.DataSet([
  {id: 1, label: 'Node 1'},
  {id: 2, label: 'Node 2'}
]);
var edges = new vis.DataSet([
  {from: 1, to: 2}
]);
var container = document.getElementById('mynetwork');
var data = {
  nodes: nodes,
  edges: edges
};
var options = {};
var network = new vis.Network(container, data, options);

This will create a simple network visualization with two connected nodes.

Competitor Comparisons

vis-network

3,042

:dizzy: Display dynamic, automatically organised, customizable network views.

Pros of vis-network

More focused and specialized for network visualization
Actively maintained with regular updates and bug fixes
Better documentation and examples for network-specific features

Cons of vis-network

Limited to network visualization, lacking other chart types
Smaller community and fewer third-party extensions
Steeper learning curve for non-network visualizations

Code Comparison

vis-network:

var nodes = new vis.DataSet([
  {id: 1, label: 'Node 1'},
  {id: 2, label: 'Node 2'}
]);
var edges = new vis.DataSet([
  {from: 1, to: 2}
]);
var container = document.getElementById('mynetwork');
var data = {nodes: nodes, edges: edges};
var options = {};
var network = new vis.Network(container, data, options);

vis:

var container = document.getElementById('visualization');
var data = {
  nodes: [{id: 1, label: 'Node 1'}, {id: 2, label: 'Node 2'}],
  edges: [{from: 1, to: 2}]
};
var options = {};
var network = new vis.Network(container, data, options);

The code comparison shows that vis-network has a more structured approach to data management with separate DataSet objects for nodes and edges, while vis uses a simpler data structure. Both libraries use similar initialization patterns for creating network visualizations.

plotly.js

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Open-source JavaScript charting library behind Plotly and Dash

Pros of plotly.js

More comprehensive and feature-rich library for creating interactive charts and graphs
Extensive documentation and community support
Built-in support for 3D visualizations and scientific plotting

Cons of plotly.js

Larger file size and potentially slower load times
Steeper learning curve due to more complex API
May be overkill for simple visualization needs

Code Comparison

vis:

var nodes = new vis.DataSet([
  {id: 1, label: 'Node 1'},
  {id: 2, label: 'Node 2'}
]);
var edges = new vis.DataSet([
  {from: 1, to: 2}
]);

plotly.js:

var trace = {
  x: [1, 2, 3],
  y: [4, 5, 6],
  type: 'scatter'
};
var data = [trace];
Plotly.newPlot('myDiv', data);

Summary

plotly.js offers a more comprehensive set of features and better documentation, making it suitable for complex visualizations. However, vis is lighter and easier to use for simpler network graphs and timelines. The choice between the two depends on the specific project requirements and the level of complexity needed in the visualizations.

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More powerful and flexible for creating custom, interactive visualizations
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Better performance for handling large datasets and complex visualizations

Cons of D3

Steeper learning curve, especially for beginners
Requires more low-level coding for basic charts and graphs
Less out-of-the-box functionality for common visualization types

Code Comparison

D3 example:

d3.select("body")
  .selectAll("p")
  .data([4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42])
  .enter()
  .append("p")
  .text(function(d) { return "I'm number " + d + "!"; });

Vis example:

var dataset = new vis.DataSet([
  {id: 1, content: 'item 1', start: '2013-04-20'},
  {id: 2, content: 'item 2', start: '2013-04-14'}
]);
var timeline = new vis.Timeline(container, dataset, options);

D3 offers more granular control over DOM manipulation and data binding, while Vis provides higher-level abstractions for specific visualization types like timelines. D3 is more versatile but requires more code for basic visualizations, whereas Vis offers simpler implementation for supported chart types.

Chart.js

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Pros of Chart.js

Simpler API and easier to get started for basic charts
Lighter weight and faster rendering for common chart types
Better mobile responsiveness out of the box

Cons of Chart.js

Less flexibility for complex or custom visualizations
Fewer chart types and data visualization options
Limited interactivity and animation capabilities

Code Comparison

Chart.js example:

new Chart(ctx, {
    type: 'bar',
    data: {
        labels: ['Red', 'Blue', 'Yellow'],
        datasets: [{
            label: 'My Dataset',
            data: [12, 19, 3]
        }]
    }
});

vis example:

var nodes = new vis.DataSet([
    {id: 1, label: 'Node 1'},
    {id: 2, label: 'Node 2'},
    {id: 3, label: 'Node 3'}
]);
var edges = new vis.DataSet([
    {from: 1, to: 2},
    {from: 1, to: 3}
]);
var network = new vis.Network(container, {nodes: nodes, edges: edges});

The code examples highlight the simplicity of Chart.js for basic charts, while vis offers more complex network visualization capabilities. Chart.js is focused on traditional charts, whereas vis provides a wider range of visualization types, including networks and timelines.

three.js

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JavaScript 3D Library.

Pros of three.js

More comprehensive 3D rendering capabilities
Larger community and ecosystem
Better performance for complex 3D scenes

Cons of three.js

Steeper learning curve
Heavier library size
Less suitable for simple 2D visualizations

Code Comparison

three.js example:

const scene = new THREE.Scene();
const camera = new THREE.PerspectiveCamera(75, window.innerWidth / window.innerHeight, 0.1, 1000);
const renderer = new THREE.WebGLRenderer();
renderer.setSize(window.innerWidth, window.innerHeight);
document.body.appendChild(renderer.domElement);

vis example:

const container = document.getElementById('visualization');
const data = new vis.DataSet([
  {id: 1, content: 'Item 1', start: '2023-01-01'},
  {id: 2, content: 'Item 2', start: '2023-01-03'}
]);
const options = {};
const timeline = new vis.Timeline(container, data, options);

three.js is focused on 3D graphics and offers more advanced rendering capabilities, while vis is better suited for simpler 2D data visualizations and timelines. three.js has a larger community and more extensive documentation, but it may be overkill for basic visualization needs. vis is easier to get started with for simple charts and graphs but lacks the 3D capabilities of three.js.

echarts

60,384

Apache ECharts is a powerful, interactive charting and data visualization library for browser

Pros of ECharts

More comprehensive and feature-rich charting library
Better performance for large datasets and complex visualizations
Extensive documentation and community support

Cons of ECharts

Steeper learning curve due to its extensive API
Larger file size, which may impact load times for simpler projects

Code Comparison

ECharts:

var myChart = echarts.init(document.getElementById('main'));
var option = {
    xAxis: {type: 'category', data: ['Mon', 'Tue', 'Wed']},
    yAxis: {type: 'value'},
    series: [{data: [120, 200, 150], type: 'line'}]
};
myChart.setOption(option);

Vis:

var container = document.getElementById('visualization');
var data = new vis.DataSet([
    {x: 'Mon', y: 120},
    {x: 'Tue', y: 200},
    {x: 'Wed', y: 150}
]);
var graph2d = new vis.Graph2d(container, data);

ECharts offers a more declarative approach with a single configuration object, while Vis uses separate objects for data and visualization. ECharts provides more built-in chart types and customization options out of the box, whereas Vis focuses on simplicity and ease of use for basic visualizations.

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README

vis.js (deprecated!)

:exclamation: This project is not maintained anymore! (See Issue #4259 for details)
We welcome you to use the libraries from the visjs community from now on.

Vis.js is a dynamic, browser based visualization library. The library is designed to be easy to use, handle large amounts of dynamic data, and enable manipulation of the data. The library consists of the following components:

DataSet and DataView. A flexible key/value based data set. Add, update, and remove items. Subscribe on changes in the data set. A DataSet can filter and order items, and convert fields of items.
DataView. A filtered and/or formatted view on a DataSet.
Graph2d. Plot data on a timeline with lines or barcharts.
Graph3d. Display data in a three dimensional graph.
Network. Display a network (force directed graph) with nodes and edges.
Timeline. Display different types of data on a timeline.

The vis.js library was initially developed by Almende B.V.

Install

Install via npm:

npm install vis

Install via bower:

bower install vis

Link via cdnjs: https://cdnjs.com/libraries/vis

Or download the library from the github project: https://github.com/almende/vis.git.

Load

To use a component, include the javascript and css files of vis in your web page:

<!DOCTYPE HTML>
<html>
<head>
  <script src="vis/dist/vis.min.js"></script>
  <link href="vis/dist/vis.min.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
</head>
<body>
  <script type="text/javascript">
    // ... load a visualization
  </script>
</body>
</html>

or load vis.js using require.js. Note that vis.css must be loaded too.

require.config({
  paths: {
    vis: 'path/to/vis/dist',
  }
});
require(['vis'], function (math) {
  // ... load a visualization
});

A timeline can be instantiated as:

var timeline = new vis.Timeline(container, data, options);

Where container is an HTML element, data is an Array with data or a DataSet, and options is an optional object with configuration options for the component.

Example

A basic example on loading a Timeline is shown below. More examples can be found in the examples directory of the project.

<!DOCTYPE HTML>
<html>
<head>
  <title>Timeline basic demo</title>
  <script src="vis/dist/vis.min.js"></script>
  <link href="vis/dist/vis.min.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />

  <style type="text/css">
    body, html {
      font-family: sans-serif;
    }
  </style>
</head>
<body>
<div id="visualization"></div>

<script type="text/javascript">
  var container = document.getElementById('visualization');
  var data = [
    {id: 1, content: 'item 1', start: '2013-04-20'},
    {id: 2, content: 'item 2', start: '2013-04-14'},
    {id: 3, content: 'item 3', start: '2013-04-18'},
    {id: 4, content: 'item 4', start: '2013-04-16', end: '2013-04-19'},
    {id: 5, content: 'item 5', start: '2013-04-25'},
    {id: 6, content: 'item 6', start: '2013-04-27'}
  ];
  var options = {};
  var timeline = new vis.Timeline(container, data, options);
</script>
</body>
</html>

Build

To build the library from source, clone the project from github

git clone git://github.com/almende/vis.git

The source code uses the module style of node (require and module.exports) to organize dependencies. To install all dependencies and build the library, run npm install in the root of the project.

cd vis
npm install

Then, the project can be build running:

npm run build

To automatically rebuild on changes in the source files, once can use

npm run watch

This will both build and minify the library on changes. Minifying is relatively slow, so when only the non-minified library is needed, one can use the watch-dev script instead:

npm run watch-dev

Custom builds

The folder dist contains bundled versions of vis.js for direct use in the browser. These bundles contain all the visualizations and include external dependencies such as hammer.js and moment.js.

The source code of vis.js consists of commonjs modules, which makes it possible to create custom bundles using tools like Browserify or Webpack. This can be bundling just one visualization like the Timeline, or bundling vis.js as part of your own browserified web application.

Note that hammer.js version 2 is required as of v4.

Prerequisites

Before you can do a build:

Install node.js and npm on your system: https://nodejs.org/
Install the following modules using npm: browserify, babelify, and uglify-js:

[sudo] npm install -g browserify babelify uglify-js

Download or clone the vis.js project:

git clone https://github.com/almende/vis.git

Install the dependencies of vis.js by running npm install in the root of the project:

cd vis
npm install

Examples of custom builds

Example 1: Bundle only a single visualization type

For example, to create a bundle with just the Timeline and DataSet, create an index file named custom.js in the root of the project, containing:

exports.DataSet = require('./lib/DataSet');
exports.Timeline = require('./lib/timeline/Timeline');

Then create a custom bundle using browserify, like:

browserify custom.js -t [ babelify --presets [es2015] ] -o dist/vis-custom.js -s vis

This will generate a custom bundle vis-custom.js, which exposes the namespace vis containing only DataSet and Timeline. The generated bundle can be minified using uglifyjs:

uglifyjs dist/vis-custom.js -o dist/vis-custom.min.js

The custom bundle can now be loaded like:

<!DOCTYPE HTML>
<html>
<head>
  <script src="dist/vis-custom.min.js"></script>
  <link href="dist/vis.min.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
</head>
<body>
  ...
</body>
</html>

Example 2: Exclude external libraries

The default bundle vis.js is standalone and includes external dependencies such as hammer.js and moment.js. When these libraries are already loaded by the application, vis.js does not need to include these dependencies itself too. To build a custom bundle of vis.js excluding moment.js and hammer.js, run browserify in the root of the project:

browserify index.js -t [ babelify --presets [es2015] ] -o dist/vis-custom.js -s vis -x moment -x hammerjs

This will generate a custom bundle vis-custom.js, which exposes the namespace vis, and has moment.js and hammer.js excluded. The generated bundle can be minified with uglifyjs:

uglifyjs dist/vis-custom.js -o dist/vis-custom.min.js

The custom bundle can now be loaded as:

<!DOCTYPE HTML>
<html>
<head>
  <!-- load external dependencies -->
  <script src="http://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/moment.js/2.17.1/moment.min.js"></script>
  <script src="http://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/hammer.js/2.0.8/hammer.min.js"></script>

  <!-- load vis.js -->
  <script src="dist/vis-custom.min.js"></script>
  <link href="dist/vis.min.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
</head>
<body>
  ...
</body>
</html>

Example 3: Bundle vis.js as part of your (commonjs) application

When writing a web application with commonjs modules, vis.js can be packaged automatically into the application. Create a file app.js containing:

var moment = require('moment');
var DataSet = require('vis/lib/DataSet');
var Timeline = require('vis/lib/timeline/Timeline');

var container = document.getElementById('visualization');
var data = new DataSet([
  {id: 1, content: 'item 1', start: moment('2013-04-20')},
  {id: 2, content: 'item 2', start: moment('2013-04-14')},
  {id: 3, content: 'item 3', start: moment('2013-04-18')},
  {id: 4, content: 'item 4', start: moment('2013-04-16'), end: moment('2013-04-19')},
  {id: 5, content: 'item 5', start: moment('2013-04-25')},
  {id: 6, content: 'item 6', start: moment('2013-04-27')}
]);
var options = {};
var timeline = new Timeline(container, data, options);

The application can be bundled and minified:

browserify app.js -o dist/app-bundle.js -t babelify
uglifyjs dist/app-bundle.js -o dist/app-bundle.min.js

And loaded into a webpage:

<!DOCTYPE HTML>
<html>
<head>
  <link href="node_modules/vis/dist/vis.min.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" />
</head>
<body>
  <div id="visualization"></div>
  <script src="dist/app-bundle.min.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

Example 4: Integrate vis.js components directly in your webpack build

You can integrate e.g. the timeline component directly in you webpack build. Therefor you can e.g. import the component-files from root direcory (starting with "index-").

import { DataSet, Timeline } from 'vis/index-timeline-graph2d';

var container = document.getElementById('visualization');
var data = new DataSet();
var timeline = new Timeline(container, data, {});

To get this to work you'll need to add some babel-loader-setting to your webpack-config:

module: {
  module: {
    rules: [{
      test: /node_modules[\\\/]vis[\\\/].*\.js$/,
      loader: 'babel-loader',
      query: {
        cacheDirectory: true,
        presets: [ "babel-preset-es2015" ].map(require.resolve),
        plugins: [
          "transform-es3-property-literals", // #2452
          "transform-es3-member-expression-literals", // #2566
          "transform-runtime" // #2566
        ]
      }
    }]
  }
}

There is also an demo-project showing the integration of vis.js using webpack.

Test

To test the library, install the project dependencies once:

npm install

Then run the tests:

npm run test

License

Vis.js is dual licensed under both

The Apache 2.0 License

and

The MIT License

Vis.js may be distributed under either license.

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Quick Overview

Pros

Cons

Code Examples

Getting Started

Competitor Comparisons

Pros of vis-network

Cons of vis-network

Code Comparison

Pros of plotly.js

Cons of plotly.js

Code Comparison

Summary

Pros of D3

Cons of D3

Code Comparison

Pros of Chart.js

Cons of Chart.js

Code Comparison

Pros of three.js

Cons of three.js

Code Comparison

Pros of ECharts

Cons of ECharts

Code Comparison

Convert designs to code with AI

README

vis.js (deprecated!)

Install

Load

Example

Build

Custom builds

Prerequisites

Examples of custom builds

Example 1: Bundle only a single visualization type

Example 2: Exclude external libraries

Example 3: Bundle vis.js as part of your (commonjs) application

Example 4: Integrate vis.js components directly in your webpack build

Test

License

Top Related Projects

Convert designs to code with AI

NPM DownloadsLast 30 Days