The invention includes a method and apparatus for displaying a graphical representation of a graph including nodes and edges. A layout of the graph is determined. The layout of the graph is determined by determining respective positions of each of the nodes and edges within the layout. The position of each node is determined using a first model and, optionally, a second force model, wherein the first force model comprises a substantially linear repulsive force in a first region, a substantially exponential repulsive force in a second region, and an attractive force in a third region. In one embodiment, the position of each edge may be determined using the first force model. A graphical representation of the layout is generated. The graphical representation of the layout is displayed to one or more users.