Reading and writing images with R: Generating high quality output

Abstract

This chapter presents how to read and write images with R in vector and raster formats. Different packages providing procedures for input and output are available. For vector formats, the package grImport is used. It provides functions for reading vector images and also for manipulation. In the case of raster images, the main packages available for input are: pixmap, png, rtiff, ReadImages, EBImage and bmp. These packages, and additionally the jpeg library, are used for writing in raster formats. In order to write an image in vector formats, some devices as postscript, pdf, and svg can be used. The new support for rendering raster formats in R is also presented in this chapter. The main advantages of using this new support is the better scaling, faster rendering, and smaller graphics files.