Visualization Forum

[trinker]

Maybe this is absorbed into other forums but it seems that data visualization is pretty important. I was wondering if maybe having a separate forum for this would be beneficial?

 

[TheEcologist]

Yes, this seems like a good idea.

 

[Dason]

Only if the only plots that can be posted there are created with ggplot2.

*Please don't hate me forever TE*

 

[TheEcologist]

Only if the only plots that can be posted there are created with ggplot2.

*Please don't hate me forever TE*

Don't worry, nobody is going to stop you if you need training wheels and a lot of soft padding to make graphics Dason.

However, we will be there to help you once you decide to take those training wheels off Dason... you have eared that much!

 

[Dason]

Haha. I use base graphics for the most part but for data exploration I tend to prefer ggplot2.

 

[bryangoodrich]

Haha. I use base graphics for the most part but for data exploration I tend to prefer ggplot2.

lol that's ironic because usually it's the other way around! The problem is that ggplot2 makes it easy to make pretty graphics, but it removes a bit of the control you would otherwise have. If you're a control freak, base is the way to go, but it can clearly take more time to make the graph. I got too complacent with lattice and ggplot2. That, and TheEcologist has shown us how amazing base can be (seriously, that 3D rotating graph sold me lol)

 

[bryangoodrich]

You have my vote in for a visualization forum. It's actually a big topic that deserves its own attention, regardless of how you go about making graphics. I'm sure R will dominate the conversation, though.

 

[Dason]

lol that's ironic because usually it's the other way around! The problem is that ggplot2 makes it easy to make pretty graphics, but it removes a bit of the control you would otherwise have. If you're a control freak, base is the way to go, but it can clearly take more time to make the graph. I got too complacent with lattice and ggplot2. That, and TheEcologist has shown us how amazing base can be (seriously, that 3D rotating graph sold me lol)

The faceting and the ability to easily modify colors and points based on groups makes exploration pretty nice I think. But I like having a little more control when it comes time to make a final graph.

 

[bryangoodrich]

I can agree to that, but usually lattice is faster, and I find its faceting to be easier to manage, but ggplot does seem to be easier to handle with its scales than lattice. There's also the fact ggplot has a great syntax to use. I refuse to do lattice panels. That approach just pisses me off lol

 

[Dason]

All of that + I know a lot more ggplot than lattice + ... I'm from Iowa State and the R course I took was taught by one of Hadley's advisors so...... yeah.

But I do prefer base to make my final plots if I'm not being too lazy.

 

[jpkelley]

I asked about such a Visualization forum when I was but a noob. So, that's a +15 from me. Amazing how I gave myself the authority to vote 15 times. I only do this because I've spent all day screwing with wireframe plots for visualized selection surfaces. My computer barely made it out alive.

That said, has ggplot2 implemented a 3D surface plotting function, or is that still the territory of rgl, etc.?

Again, +15.

 

[bryangoodrich]

If it already doesn't, I believe Hadley mentioned something about 3D plotting in ggplot in his recent webinar that talks about the upcoming changes in that package.

 

[trinker]

Yeah you should check out the beta version of ggplot2. There's a link to it in the R news and updates thread I posted a few weeks back.

 

[TheEcologist]

I asked about such a Visualization forum when I was but a noob. So, that's a +15 from me. Amazing how I gave myself the authority to vote 15 times. I only do this because I've spent all day screwing with wireframe plots for visualized selection surfaces. My computer barely made it out alive.

That said, has ggplot2 implemented a 3D surface plotting function, or is that still the territory of rgl, etc.?

Again, +15.

Again, the folly of ggplot (lattice and ect) is layed bare. If you would have spent half the time fooling around with the lovely lady that is r-base graphics you would have had zero problems.

A tip, start R and repress the urge to load any package... now type ?trans3d

I have just given you the pick axe of 3d plotting, with it you can create any 3d object and plot it on a 2d graph.

Now if you need more help, like a tutorial to use trans3d, just shout and I'll give a quick example.

embrace freedom,

TE