In R, how to make dots transparent while using scale_size in ggplot2?

Question

This equation leads from my previous question. I want to plot dots that represent total population and so far I used scale_size to make dots' size relative to its total population.

But, I want to make these dots transparent because the dots are covering the map. I am, however, open to other options as long as the message I am trying to send is clear. enter image description here

# load required packages
library(ggmap)
library(ggplot2)

# query map of Birmingham, AL
al1 <- get_map(location = c(lon = -86.304474, lat = 32.362563), zoom = 11,
       source = "osm", maptype = 'terrain')

al1MAP <- ggmap(al1)+ geom_point(data=quote_bmh, 
          aes(x=IntPtLon, y=IntPtLat, size=TotPop, colour="gold2"),
          colour="gold2") + scale_size(range=c(0,15))

An alternative can be to interpolate the population points using e.g. inverse distance weighted interpolation (`idw` in `gstat`), kriging (e.g. `automap`), or some kernel method (i.e. 2d density). — Paul Hiemstra, Apr 26 '12 at 14:56

Paul Hiemstra · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-17T13:50:29.107

10

To use a uniform transparency, just add alpha = 0.3 to geom_point. alpha can be between 0 and 1, depending on the amount of transparency you want. If you want to make you transparency depend on a variable, just add alpha = var_name to the mapping argument (the aes bit), where var_name is the column name of the variable you want to use for transparency.

edited Jul 17 '12 at 13:50

answered Apr 26 '12 at 14:51

Paul Hiemstra

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Dang that Paul is quick, saw it and went to post and bam he's answered. +1 – Tyler Rinker Apr 26 '12 at 14:53
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Hahah, I first typed the first part of the answer, than edited to add more detail. These kinds of questions are answered far too quickly, so I needed to be fast :). – Paul Hiemstra Apr 26 '12 at 14:54
Wow, you answered so fast that I have to wait ten min to accept your answer. Thanks a lot! – Ken Apr 26 '12 at 14:57
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Great I could help :), good way to spend some time waiting for the EGU poster session to begin :) – Paul Hiemstra Apr 26 '12 at 14:59

score 5 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 26 '12 at 18:04

Another alternative is to use hollow points, e.g. geom_point(shape = 21). That would make the map directly under the point quite readable while making the edges of the points distinctly visible.

(Unfortunately, my employer blocks the Google API, so I can't post the result)

In R, how to make dots transparent while using scale_size in ggplot2?

2 Answers2