Tangling and Untangling Trees on Point-Sets

We study a question that lies at the intersection of classical research subjects in Topological Graph Theory and Graph Drawing: Computing a drawing of a graph with a prescribed number of crossings on a given set S of points, while ensuring that its curve complexity (i.e., maximum number of bends per edge) is bounded by a constant. We focus on trees: Let T be a tree, ϑ(T) be its thrackle number, and χ be any integer in the interval [0,ϑ(T)]. In the tangling phase we compute a topological linear embedding of T with ϑ(T) edge crossings and a constant number of spine traversals. In the untangling phase we remove edge crossings without increasing the spine traversals until we reach χ crossings. The computed linear embedding is used to construct a drawing of T on S with χ crossings and constant curve complexity. Our approach gives rise to an O(n²)-time algorithm for general trees and an O(n log n)-time algorithm for paths. We also adapt the approach to compute RAC drawings, i.e. drawings where the angles formed at edge crossings are π/2.