How to Export Maps

mf_export() exports maps in PNG or SVG formats.
The exported map width/height ratio will match the one of a spatial object.
If width is specified, then height is deduced from the width/height ratio of x, figure margins and title size.
If height is specified, then width is deduced from the width/height ratio of x, figure margins and title size.

Additionally, mf_export() can be used to set a theme, to extend the map space on one or several side of the figure, or to center a map on a specific area.

Simple Export

In this example we only set the width of the exported figure.

library(mapsf)
#> Loading required package: sf
#> Linking to GEOS 3.6.2, GDAL 2.2.3, PROJ 4.9.3
mtq <- mf_get_mtq()
mf_export(x = mtq, filename = "fixed_width.png", width = 500)
mf_map(mtq, add = TRUE)
mf_title(txt = "PNG export: width=500px, height=605px (deduced)")
dev.off()

Note that we have to set add = TRUE to the first layer plotted. Internally, mf_export() start a device (PNG or SVG) with a specific dimension (figure size) and extent (x extent).

Export with a Theme

In this example we use the “dark” theme.

mf_export(x = mtq, filename = "fixed_width_theme.png", 
          width = 500, theme = "dark")
mf_map(mtq, add = TRUE)
mf_title(txt = "PNG export: width=500px, height=611px (deduced)")
dev.off()

Export with Extra Space on the Figure

Here we have added some space on the right side of the plot (50% of x width).

mf_export(x = mtq, filename = "fixed_width_expand.png", 
          width = 500, expandBB = c(0,0,0,.5), theme = "default")
mf_map(mtq, add = TRUE)
mf_title(txt = "PNG export: width=500px, height=427px (deduced)")
dev.off()

Center the Map on a Specific Area

In this export, the map is focused on a specific spatial object. height is fixed and width is deduced.

target <- mtq[5,]
mf_export(x = target, filename = "fixed_height_centered.png", height = 600)
mf_map(mtq, add = TRUE)
mf_shadow(target, add = TRUE)
mf_map(target, add = TRUE)
mf_title(txt = "PNG export: height=600px, width=433px (deduced)")
mf_scale(1, pos = "bottomleft")
dev.off()

Other Parameters

mf_export() can produce SVG figures (with export = "svg") and use other parameters of png() or svg() functions (e.g. res, bg or family).

mf_export(x = mtq, export = "svg", filename = "fixed_width.svg", 
          width = 5, theme = "nevermind", bg = "black")
mf_map(mtq, add = TRUE)
mf_title(txt = "SVG export: bg = 'black'")
dev.off()

Side Effects

If a theme is set before an mf_export() call, the theme is applied to the export.

mf_theme('agolalight')
mf_export(x = mtq, filename = "theme_before.png", width = 200)
mf_map(mtq, add = TRUE)
mf_title(txt = "agolalight")
dev.off()

If a theme is set before or within an mf_export() call, the theme is also applied after the export.

mf_export(x = mtq, filename = "theme_within.png", width = 200, 
          theme = "darkula")
mf_map(mtq, add = TRUE)
mf_title(txt = "darkula")
dev.off()
#> png 
#>   2

mf_map(mtq)
mf_title("Still 'darkula'")

If a theme is set between an mf_export() call and dev.off(), the theme is not applied correctly.