1. A method for rendering graphical objects on a display, the method comprising: rendering each of a plurality of graphical objects within respective layers, the plurality of graphical objects including first, second and third graphical objects, the second graphical object being directly linked to the first graphical object and the third graphical object being directly linked to the second graphical object; receiving user input manipulating one of the graphical objects in a manner that affects a directly linked graphical object; and re-rendering the manipulated graphical object and the directly linked graphical object without re-rendering graphical objects that are not directly linked to the manipulated graphical object, wherein the first graphical object is rendered in a first layer including a first connection point, the first graphical object is rendered prior to rendering the second graphical object and the second graphical object is rendered prior to rendering the third graphical object; wherein the method further comprises: prior to rendering the second graphical object, receiving user input initiating creation of the second graphical object beginning from the first connection point, the second graphical object comprising a connector having a first end connected to the first connection point and a second end opposite the first end; receiving user input identifying a terminal location of the second end of the connector; in response to receiving the user input identifying a terminal location of the second end of the connector, presenting on the display a set of representations of graphical objects for use as the third graphical object; and receiving user input including a selection of a representation of the third graphical object from the set of graphical objects, the third graphical object being rendered in a second layer including a second connection point, and wherein the second graphical object is linked to the first graphical object at the first connection point and to the third graphical object at the second connection point.