inset_element function

Create an inset to be added on top of the previous plot

The standard approach of patchwork is to place plots next to each other based on the provided layout. However, it may sometimes be beneficial to place one or several plots or graphic elements freely on top or below another plot. The inset_element() function provides a way to create such insets and gives you full control over placement.

inset_element(
  p,
  left,
  bottom,
  right,
  top,
  align_to = "panel",
  on_top = TRUE,
  clip = TRUE,
  ignore_tag = FALSE
)

Arguments

• p: A grob, ggplot, patchwork, formula, raster, nativeRaster, or gt object to add as an inset
• left, bottom, right, top: numerics or units giving the location of the outer bounds. If given as numerics they will be converted to npc units.
• align_to: Specifies what left, bottom, etc should be relative to. Either 'panel' (default), 'plot', or 'full'.
• on_top: Logical. Should the inset be placed on top of the other plot or below (but above the background)?
• clip: Logical. Should clipping be performed on the inset?
• ignore_tag: Logical. Should autotagging ignore the inset?

Returns

A inset_path object

Examples

library(ggplot2)
p1 <- ggplot(mtcars) + geom_point(aes(mpg, disp))
p2 <- ggplot(mtcars) + geom_boxplot(aes(gear, disp, group = gear))

# Basic use
p1 + inset_element(p2, 0.6, 0.6, 1, 1)

# Align to the full area instead
p1 + inset_element(p2, 0, 0.6, 0.4, 1, align_to = 'full')

# Grobs and other objects can be added as insets as well
p1 + inset_element(grid::circleGrob(), 0.4, 0.4, 0.6, 0.6)

if (requireNamespace('png', quietly = TRUE)) {
  logo <- system.file('help', 'figures', 'logo.png', package = 'patchwork')
  logo <- png::readPNG(logo, native = TRUE)
  p1 + inset_element(logo, 0.8, 0.8, 1, 1, align_to = 'full')
}

# Just as expected insets are still amenable to changes after the fact
p1 +
  inset_element(p2, 0.6, 0.6, 1, 1) +
  theme_classic()

# Tagging also continues to work as expected
p1 +
  inset_element(p2, 0.6, 0.6, 1, 1) +
  plot_annotation(tag_levels = '1')

# but can be turned off, like for wrapped plots
p1 +
  inset_element(p2, 0.6, 0.6, 1, 1, ignore_tag = TRUE) +
  plot_annotation(tag_levels = '1')