ComfyUI auto nodes layout

a ComfyUI extension that applies an improved node layout algorithm to ComfyUI workflows, primarily for better visualization

this serves as a working prototype of the proof-of-concept detailed in Comfy-Org/ComfyUI#1547

description

while ComfyUI includes a 1-click auto-arrange feature based on LiteGraph.js’s default arrange() method, which organizes nodes by dependency levels, i find its wire orientation often leads to visual clutter

for better visualization, my goal is to ensure all connections are clearly visible, indicating their direction, flow, and specific node attachments

given my limited understanding, it appears most (if not all) ComfyUI workflows can be classified as directed acyclic graphs; this suggests that more advanced graph drawing algorithms could be applied; specifically, i’m focusing on hierarchical graph drawing, which seems particularly well-suited for directed acyclic graphs.

credit: this approach was inspired by this comment

disclaimer: this reflects a personal preference, and it often produces larger graphs

[!IMPORTANT]

it’s recommended to remove ‘ReRoute’ nodes from your ComfyUI workflows prior to applying the layout

Here’s why:

Directed acyclic graphs, like ComfyUI workflows, are typically structured with clear start and end nodes. Layout algorithms for such graphs operate by assigning a ‘column’ or ‘rank’ to each node, creating a layered visual hierarchy.

‘ReRoute’ nodes disrupt this column assignment. Their presence can lead to misaligned nodes and a less intuitive, harder-to-read layout.

You can re-introduce ‘ReRoute’ nodes after the layout has been applied. This allows you to manage any wires that might be intercepted or partially obscured by other nodes in the newly optimized arrangement.

It’s worth noting that since ComfyUI workflows are inherently oriented from left to right, the concept of ‘depth’ is more accurately described as a ‘column’ or ‘rank’ within this hierarchical context.

how to use

[!WARNING]

As per issue #8 changes to graph not visible until Undo + Redo. I struggle to reproduce this bug with my machine, if u have any additional information please share in #8

Installation: via ComfyUI Manager for ease of use, or clone this repository manually using git if you’re developing (no additional requirements needed)

Using:

Finalize your workflow, then remove any Reroute nodes from your graph (you can add them back afterward if needed)

Access the layout options by either:

Right-clicking on the canvas, or

Navigating to the top menu bar: Extensions > 📍 auto nodes layout

Choose your preferred layout algorithm from the available options

Customize the spacing between columns and nodes by adjusting the settings in ComfyUI settings

implementation details

the principle is to use an external library to compute all nodes position, then retrieve back to LiteGraph.js

requirements: ComfyUI version ≥ 0.12.3

implemented algorithms:

Dagre layout from https://github.com/dagrejs/dagre

ELK ‘layered’ layout from https://github.com/kieler/elkjs

2 options to control layout density:

horizontal spacing between columns

vertical spacing between nodes in same column

TODO

[ ] apply layout to only a subset of nodes instead of whole graph

[ ] webcola layout: experimental, still exploring optimal settings

[ ] find more layout algorithm, in JS preferably

example

using noisy latent composition example

(the empty black rectangle box is browser viewport)

original workflow:

remove groups because nodes gonna be placed very differently

LiteGraph.js default auto-arrange:

Dagre.js layout:

ELK.js ‘layered’ layout:

extra

other possible graph layout in JS (but unsatisfying to me nor suitable for DAG):

ELK: https://eclipse.dev/elk/reference/algorithms.html

WebCOLA: https://github.com/tgdwyer/WebCola

Cytoscape: https://blog.js.cytoscape.org/2020/05/11/layouts/#choice-of-layout

AVSDF: https://github.com/iVis-at-Bilkent/avsdf-base

CoSE: https://github.com/iVis-at-Bilkent/cose-base

Graphology: https://graphology.github.io/standard-library/layout.html

Springy: https://github.com/dhotson/springy