It would be nice if there was a button to bring the user the the right location and zoom level to see the graph (need not be all of it).
Additionally, it would be nice if there was some kind of notice/message for when an empty graph is generated (for the current visibility setting), so that users won't be looking for something that isn't there.

I ended up in a situation where graph seemed to be empty, but since I selected blue chips, I don't think it should be empty.

Steps to reproduce:
1. Reset graph and selection
2. Select Spidertron
3. Set visibility to selection
4. Set visibility to all
5. Clear selection
6. Select Advanced processing units (aka blue chips)
7. Set visibility to selection
->
the graph appears to be empty, but there should be some items.

I try to reproduce your story line. I end up with a graph containing the processing unit.
Generally speeking, i advise to work in "Selection" visibility mode and "Show products" selected. It is easier to add recipe by clicking on product icon in recipe.
If you want to control the position by yourself, you have to uncheck the "Automatic layout on selection change" checkbox in the settings panel. You can do a manual layout of recipe by clicking the layout button in "Graph options" panel.

By "reset graph", I meant "Recompute the layout of the visible recipes", without this the blue chips and its ingredients display as I would expect them.

So the correct steps to reproduce are:
0. Create new world, and switch to graph view
1a. Recompute the layout of the visible recipes
1b. Clear selection
2. Select Spidertron
3. Set visibility to selection
4. Set visibility to all
5. Clear selection
6. Select Processing units (aka blue chips)
7. Set visibility to selection
->
the graph appears to be empty, but there should be some items.

I still think that a zoom button and "empty graph" message would be nice.