NetDraw

NetDraw is a graphical network visualization and editing tool commonly used in social network analysis. It is designed to create, view, and modify graph structures such as sociograms, with an emphasis on representing relationships and attributes in a visual form. NetDraw is most often distributed as part of the UCINET software package, Analytic Technologies’ suite for social network analysis, and has been included with UCINET in many of its releases since the early development of the program.

NetDraw supports both directed and undirected graphs, as well as two‑mode networks, and provides a range of layout options to position nodes automatically. Users can also manually adjust node positions for clearer presentation. The program allows mapping of node attributes to visual properties such as color, size, and shape, and can reflect edge properties like thickness or color to convey relationship strength. Labels can be added or hidden as needed, and users can focus on subgraphs or apply filters to simplify complex networks. NetDraw can import data from UCINET data formats and export visualizations to common image formats for publication.

In practice, NetDraw is used to complement the analytical capabilities of UCINET, helping researchers produce publication‑quality network diagrams that illustrate structural patterns, clusters, and attribute distributions. It remains a staple in many social science workflows, particularly in educational settings and projects that rely on UCINET for data preparation and analysis.

Limitations and context: NetDraw is considered a relatively legacy visualization tool by current standards. While it remains useful for straightforward network drawings and academic teaching, it offers fewer interactive features and scalability for very large networks compared with modern visualization platforms such as Gephi or Cytoscape. Its strengths lie in integration with UCINET and the familiarity it provides to users of that suite.