Network Timeline Analysis

The Network Timeline allows you to view Network nodes and links visually, arranged chronologically against a timeline. This allows you to explore and analyse the Network from the perspective of time, to analyse the sequence of events from early indicators to post-event consequences.

As you explore the network, you can refine and edit the network by creating, editing, merging or deleting nodes and links.

A timeline requires at least one type of entity or link to have temporal data (DateTime field or feature) in order to arrange the content against the timeline.

Any node or link that are linked together and have a temporal attribute (DateTime field or feature), can be plotted on the timeline.

Select the Timeline tab to change to the Timeline view.

A Network Timeline is empty until you add your first node.

Select the Show Timeline icon to add an entity to a new Network Timeline.

This icon is displayed in the Actions column in Table view or from within the Graph view.

Alternatively, you can start a Timeline using the Select Node Type option. See Timeline Node Selection.

To add a single node to an existing timeline from the Network Table, hold the SHIFT key down as you select the Add to Timeline icon .

To add multiple nodes to an existing timeline from the Network Table:

• select checkbox next to the nodes

• from the multiple Actions menu select the Add to Timeline icon .

  Result: The Add Nodes to a grouped line is displayed.

  

• Select Add Separately, to add each entity on a separate line in the Timeline

• To group the selected entities into one line on the Timeline (they can be ungrouped later),

  • enter a name for the group, and

  • select Add to grouped line.

Alternatively, you can add nodes/links to the Timeline by right clicking on a node or link on the Graph. See Timeline Graph.

The Network Timeline tab has four areas:

1. Nodes and Links - to show and hide the nodes and links displayed in the graph

2. Timeline Overview - to provide a high-level summary of the timeline and to control the timeframe displayed in the Timeline Graph

3. Node Selection - to select the nodes displayed on the graph (adding, removing, sorting and grouping)

4. Timeline Graph - displays a visual representation of nodes and links against the selected nodes within the selected timeframe and provides options for controlling the display.

5. Timeline Templates - allows you create and/or load timeline templates.

Following is a brief description and quick demo of each area.

The types of links and temporal nodes shown in the timeline are shown in the Nodes and Links area at the top left of the pane.

Click the node/link to hide them on the timeline, and click again to view them.

When a node/link is hidden, the disabled icon is shown.

The Timeline Overview provides a high-level summary of the timeline and allows you to control the timeframe displayed in the Timeline Graph.

• Adjust the timeframe using the selection frame, mouse wheel or calendar dialog

• Create a snapshot view providing two different timeframe views by right clicking on the timeframe and selecting Take Snapshot

• Reset the timeframe by right clicking and selecting Cancel Zoom

See Timeline Overview.

The Timeline Node Selection allows you to select, sort, group and remove entity nodes from the Timeline Graph.

See Timeline Node Selection

The Timeline Graph is the visual display of the timeline. Right clicking on the nodes or links displays a shortcut menu allowing you to add nodes/links to the timeline, to a graph, display locations on a map or show the linked documents.

See Timeline Graph.

The Timeline Templates allow you to save and load timeline templates.

A Timeline Template allows you to have pre-selected Node Types, e.g. *all the Event, *all the Document, etc.

See Timeline Templates.