Question

Need draw a graph with dot/graphviz like this image:

The texts can be above arrows, like graphviz does it. But how to achieve the T-layout? Need make a cluster for the top row?

Answer 1

This is one possibility using rank=same for a subgraph:

digraph g {
    node[shape=point, width=0.2];
    {
        rank=same;
        p1 -> n [label="text1"];
        n -> p2 [label="text2"];
    }
    n -> p3 [label="text3", dir=back];
    n[label="node", shape=rect, style=rounded];
}

You could also use a left-right layout instead of top-down.

An other possibility is to disable the effect of some edges using constraint=false:

digraph g {
    node[shape=point, width=0.2];
    p1 -> n [label="text1", constraint=false];
    n -> p2 [label="text2", constraint=false];
    n -> p3 [label="text3", dir=back];
    n[label="node", shape=rect, style=rounded];
}

The result is the same.