Day 6: 30-days to learn rgl, plotly, and gganimate - Create an interactive 3D plot with rgl that uses various viewpoints or angles to simulate rotation

Step 1: Install and Load the rgl Package

Ensure that you have the rgl package installed and loaded in your R environment.

# Install rgl if not already installed

if (!require("rgl")) install.packages("rgl")

# Load the rgl package

library(rgl)

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Step 2: Prepare a Dataset

For demonstration purposes, create or use a sample 3D dataset (e.g., random points in 3D space).

# Sample dataset with random 3D points

set.seed(123)

n <- 100

x <- rnorm(n)

y <- rnorm(n)

z <- rnorm(n)

colors <- rainbow(n)

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Step 3: Create a Basic 3D Plot

Use plot3d() to create a basic 3D scatter plot.

# Create a 3D scatter plot

plot3d(x, y, z, col = colors, size = 5, type = 's', xlab = "X-axis", ylab = "Y-axis", zlab = "Z-axis")

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Step 4: Enhance the Plot with Customization

Add customizations like grid lines, labels, and lighting for better visualization.

# Add grid lines

grid3d("x")

grid3d("y")

grid3d("z")

# Enhance lighting

light3d(specular = "white")

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Step 5: Set Up Rotation Parameters

Define a sequence of angles to rotate the plot and simulate a continuous rotation.

# Define rotation parameters

angles <- seq(0, 360, by = 5) # 5-degree increments

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Step 6: Rotate the Plot Programmatically

Use a loop to rotate the plot around a specific axis (e.g., the z-axis).

# Rotate around the z-axis

for (angle in angles) {

  view3d(theta = angle, phi = 30) # Rotate theta; phi is the vertical angle

  Sys.sleep(0.1)                 # Pause for 0.1 seconds for smooth transition

}

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Step 7: Export the Visualization

Save the interactive 3D plot as an HTML widget or image file for sharing or further use.

# Save as an interactive HTML file

rglwidget() %>% htmlwidgets::saveWidget("3D_plot_rotation.html")

# Save as a static image (PNG)

rgl.snapshot("3D_plot_rotation.png")

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Step 8: Test and Adjust

• Experiment with different rotation axes (x, y, or z) by modifying view3d() parameters.
• Adjust the speed of rotation using Sys.sleep().

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Outcome

By the end of this exercise, you will have an interactive 3D plot that smoothly rotates, providing a dynamic visualization of the data. You can integrate this plot with tools like plotly or embed it into web presentations for a polished output.