# ORC Layout: Adaptive GUI Layout with OR-Constraints

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/1912.07827 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/1912.07827/

## Key facts

- Cited by 6 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 17 Dec 2019.

## Built on by (most cited first, 6 of 6)

- [ILuvUI: Instruction-tuned LangUage-Vision modeling of UIs from Machine Conversations](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2310.04869/) (2023)
- [EyeFormer: Predicting Personalized Scanpaths with Transformer-Guided Reinforcement Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2404.10163/) (2024)
- [ReverseORC: Reverse Engineering of Resizable User Interface Layouts with OR-Constraints](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2202.11523/) (2022)
- [Graph4GUI: Graph Neural Networks for Representing Graphical User Interfaces](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2404.13521/) (2024)
- [ControlGUI: Guiding Generative GUI Exploration through Perceptual Visual Flow](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2502.03330/) (2025)
- [StructLayoutFormer:Conditional Structured Layout Generation via Structure Serialization and Disentanglement](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2510.26141/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

We propose a novel approach for constraint-based graphical user interface (GUI) layout based on OR-constraints (ORC) in standard soft/hard linear constraint systems. ORC layout unifies grid layout and flow layout, supporting both their features as well as cases where grid and flow layouts individually fail. We describe ORC design patterns that enable designers to safely create flexible layouts that work across different screen sizes and orientations. We also present the ORC Editor, a GUI editor that enables designers to apply ORC in a safe and effective manner, mixing grid, flow and new ORC layout features as appropriate. We demonstrate that our prototype can adapt layouts to screens with different aspect ratios with only a single layout specification, easing the burden of GUI maintenance. Finally, we show that ORC specifications can be modified interactively and solved efficiently at runtime.