ggtroll.R

# not needed
# library(ggplot2)

# disclaimer: this code is from 15 years ago...
# (kind of impressed it still runs!)

# example data
x <- seq(0, 10, len = 100)
y1 <- jitter(sin(x), 1000)
y2 <- 0.5*jitter(cos(x), 1000)

# custom colors
greyDark <- grey(0.5)
greyLight <- grey(0.9)
myColors <- c( "#E41A1C", "#377EB8")
palette(myColors)

# example using base graphics
old.par <- par()
par(cex=1, bty = "n",fg = greyDark, col.lab = "black",
    xpd = FALSE, mar = old.par$mar + c(1,2,1,3), mgp=c(1.8, 0.5, 0),  
    col="black")

plot(x, y1, new=TRUE, t="n") # plots nothing, needed to find the  dimensions

lims <- par("usr")
subGrid1 <- axTicks(1) + mean(diff(axTicks(1)))/2 # position of the grid sub-divisions
subGrid2 <- axTicks(2) + mean(diff(axTicks(2)))/2

plot(x, y1, col=1, xlab = "x",  ylab = "value", xaxt = "n", yaxt =  
       "n", pch=16, cex=0.8,
     panel.first = {
       rect(lims[1], lims[3], lims[2], lims[4],bord = NA,  col =  
              greyLight); # grey background
       segments(axTicks(1),lims[3], axTicks(1), lims[4], col = "white" ,  
                lwd=1.2); # main grid
       segments(lims[2], axTicks(2),lims[3], axTicks(2), col = "white" ,  
                lwd=1.2);
       segments(subGrid1,lims[3], subGrid1, lims[4], col = "white" ,  
                lwd=0.5); # secondary grid
       segments(lims[2], subGrid2,lims[3], subGrid2, col = "white" ,  
                lwd=0.5);
       axis(1, lty = "solid", lwd = 1, col = greyDark, col.axis =  
              greyDark, tcl=-0.4, cex.axis = 0.8); # axis
       axis(2, lty = "solid", lwd = 1, col = greyDark, col.axis =  
              greyDark, las=1, tcl=-0.4, cex.axis = 0.8);})

par(bty="o")
box(col="white", lwd=3) # draws in white over the axes

points(x, y2, col = 2, cex=0.8, pch=16) # some more plotting as usual

par(xpd = TRUE) # legend is outside
legend(1.1*max(x), mean(y1), pch=16, col=1:2, c("one", "two"),  
       bty="n", title="variable")
title(main = "ggplot theme with base graphics")

par(old.par)