The graphical plans aren't "internal". They're done in the presentation layer (usually Management Studio) from the XML.
If you want to copy that functionality to a different application, you'll have to write code for it. It's not something SQL Server does, it's something applications do.
- Gus "GSquared", RSVP, OODA, MAP, NMVP, FAQ, SAT, SQL, DNA, RNA, UOI, IOU, AM, PM, AD, BC, BCE, USA, UN, CF, ROFL, LOL, ETC
Property of The Thread
"Nobody knows the age of the human race, but everyone agrees it's old enough to know better." - Anon