Penrose's diagrammatic notation

I am interested in creating a diagrammatic notation editor. Any ideas about how I can do this? What about using Adobe flash, or Mathematica?

 

I would like to create something that can:
* generate diagrams based on symbolic input (e.g. tensor/matrix/spinor notation)
* visually manipulate diagrams through a GUI (e.g. connecting indices using some kind of grid structure; quantities differentiated are circled, etc)

Mathematica could, initially, handle the necessary calculations. At this stage, I still have to find a program (or a set of programs) to do the rest. I hope to (eventually) create a self contained program.

More advanced ideas:
* The algebra of knots ("The Road to Reality", Penrose, 2004; pg. 944) could be incorporated.
* Tensor algebra, for example, could be supported, graphically and symbolically.
* Output to symbols based on the visual manipulation of the diagrams (graph theoretic and combinatorial ideas would probably be needed)
* Incorporating tablet PC pen recognition (Very advanced)

This is an admittedly ambitious project. I have a gut feel that it can be done. It may take a long time to get this project up and running. Slight (computer friendly) modifications made to the original notation may be needed.

 

Thank you for the extremely useful link. Circuit diagrams! Good suggestion. Wow, you've given me much food for thought.

I'll get back to this topic once I've investigated these things.

All the best with your project.