This paper reports on a method to improve the automated layout of schematic diagrams
by widening the search space examined by the system. In search-based layout methods
there are typically a number of parameters that control the search algorithm which do
not affect the fitness function, but nevertheless have an impact on the final layout. We
explore how varying three parameters (grid spacing, the starting distance of allowed
node movement and the number of iterations) affects the resultant diagram in a hill-
climbing layout system. Using an iterative process, we produce diagram layouts that are
significantly better than those produced by ad-hoc parameter settings
