Generating　meaningful　layout　of　iStar　models　is　a　challenging　task,　which　currently　requires　significant　manual　efforts.　However,　it　is　time-consuming　when　dealing　with　large-scale　iStar　modeling,　rising　the　need　of　having　an　automatic　iStar　layout　tool.　Previously,　we　have　proposed　an　algorithm　for　laying　out　iStar　SD　models　and　have　implemented　a　corresponding　prototype　tool.　In　this　paper,　we　report　our　ongoing　empirical　work　which　aims　to　evaluate　the　effectiveness　and　usability　of　the　prototype　tool.　In　particular,　we　present　a　research　design　which　is　applied　to　compare　manual　layout　and　automatic　layout　in　terms　of　efficiency　and　model　comprehensibility.　Based　on　such　a　design,　we　are　planning　to　carry　out　empirical　studies　accordingly　in　the　near　future.