qtpaintgui(): Rapidly Generating Interactive Graphics in R

• Activity Number: 354
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Tuesday, August 3, 2010 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Computing
• Author(s): Marie Vendettuoli*+ and Michael Lawrence and Hadley Wickham and Dianne Cook and Heike Hofmann
• Companies: Iowa State University and Genentech and Rice University and Iowa State University and Iowa State University
• Keywords: R ; gui ; graphs ; data visualization

Abstract

Scientists have found R an invaluable tool in quantitative analysis of large datasets. Complementing quantitative analysis are graphical techniques, which allow researchers to quickly explore data, validate models and identify novel relationships. Barriers to integration of both approaches within R are the relatively slow speed at which base graphics render images and an inability to interact with generated images. We introduce qtpaintgui(), an extension of the qtpaint package, as a tool to aid researchers in rapid generation of interactive and animated graphics. qtpaintgui() provides a point & click interface, graphics follow good principles for graphing, and resulting images are easily reproducible. The GUI reduces time needed to generate graphics, offers novel features of interaction and animation,and provides opportunity for self-directed acquisition of command-line techniques.