Neuron Layouts

Layouts are used to organize neurons spatially in a Simbrain network window. They can be applied in several ways:

  1. To arrange a group of free neurons by selecting them and choosing a layout from the right-click context menu or the Edit > Layout menu
  2. To specify the layout for a neuron group when creating it
  3. To rearrange existing neurons in a neuron group using the group’s property dialog

The initial position for a layout corresponds to the last position clicked on screen, or the center of the selected neurons if no position has been set.

Grid Layout

Neurons are laid out in a grid pattern, beginning at an initial position and proceeding left-to-right, top-to-bottom.

  • Horizontal Spacing: Distance between neurons from left to right
  • Vertical Spacing: Distance between neurons from top to bottom
  • Auto Columns: If true, the number of columns is set automatically to create a square or nearly-square grid. If false, you can manually specify the number of columns
  • Number of Columns: Number of columns in the grid when Auto Columns is disabled

When Auto Columns is enabled with more than 3 neurons, the number of columns is automatically set to the square root of the total number of neurons. For 3 or fewer neurons, 2 columns are used for better visual appearance.

Line Layout

Neurons are laid out in a single line, either horizontal or vertical.

  • Orientation: Whether neurons are arranged horizontally or vertically (options: Horizontal, Vertical)
  • Spacing: Distance between adjacent neurons

Hexagonal Grid Layout

Neurons are laid out in a hexagonal grid pattern, with alternating rows offset to create a honeycomb appearance. This layout is particularly useful for self-organizing maps and spatial topologies.

  • Horizontal Spacing: Distance between neurons from left to right
  • Vertical Spacing: Distance between neurons from top to bottom
  • Auto Columns: If true, the number of columns is set automatically to create a square or nearly-square grid. If false, you can manually specify the number of columns
  • Number of Columns: Number of columns in the grid when Auto Columns is disabled

In hexagonal layouts, alternating rows are offset by half the horizontal spacing to create the hexagonal pattern.