I changed it to: property_map<graph_traits<Graph>::vertex_descriptor, Topology::point_type> positionMap; minstd_rand gen; Topology rect_top(gen, -25, -25, 25, 25); random_graph_layout(graph, positionMap, rect_top); so that it would conform w/ the description here <http://www.boost.org/doc/libs/1_51_0/libs/graph/doc/random_layout.html> that says: IN/OUT: PositionMap position The property map that stores the position of each vertex. The type PositionMap must be a model of Lvalue Property Map such that the vertex descriptor type of Graph is convertible to its key type. Its value type must be Topology::point_type, representing the coordinates of the vertex. Now I get the error message: 1>c:\program files (x86)\boost\boost_1_51\boost\graph\properties.hpp(222) : error C2039: 'type' : is not a member of 'boost::vertex_property_type<G>' 1> with 1> [ 1> G=unsigned int 1> ] 1> c:\program files (x86)\boost\boost_1_51\boost\graph\properties.hpp(233) : see reference to class template instantiation 'boost::detail::vertex_property_map<Graph,PropertyTag>' being compiled 1> with 1> [ 1> Graph=unsigned int, 1> PropertyTag=boost::rectangle_topology<>::point_type 1> ] I think what I really need is a comprehensible example. All that I've found in the way of an example is here <http://www.boost.org/doc/libs/1_42_0/libs/graph/test/layout_test.cpp> . But it contains so much Boost-specific jargony things that it's not really good for a beginner to look at and get the sense of how things work. Do you have any such examples up your sleeve? -- View this message in context: http://boost.2283326.n4.nabble.com/Trouble-w-fruchterman-reingold-tp4636494p... Sent from the Boost - Users mailing list archive at Nabble.com.