plot_model: Plots a DAG in ggplot style using a causal model input

In CausalQueries: Make, Update, and Query Binary Causal Models

Plots a DAG in ggplot style using a causal model input

Description

Creates a plot of a DAG using ggplot functionality and a Sugiyama layout from igraph. Unmeasured confounds (<->) are indicated then these are represented as curved dotted lines. Users can control node sizes and colors as well as coordinates and label behavior. Other modifications can be made by adding additional ggplot layers.

Usage

plot_model(
  model = NULL,
  x_coord = NULL,
  y_coord = NULL,
  labels = NULL,
  title = "",
  textcol = "white",
  textsize = 3.88,
  shape = 16,
  nodecol = "black",
  nodesize = 12,
  parse = FALSE,
  strength = 0.3
)

Arguments

model	A causal_model object generated from make_model
x_coord	A vector of x coordinates for DAG nodes. If left empty, coordinates are randomly generated
y_coord	A vector of y coordinates for DAG nodes. If left empty, coordinates are randomly generated
labels	Optional labels for nodes
title	String specifying title of graph
textcol	String specifying color of text labels
textsize	Numeric, size of text labels
shape	Indicates shape of node. Defaults to circular node.
nodecol	String indicating color of node that is accepted by ggplot's default palette
nodesize	Size of node.
strength	Degree of curvature of curved arcs

Value

A ggplot object.

Examples

## Not run: 
model <- make_model('X -> K -> Y')

# Simple plot
model |> plot_model()

# Adding additional layers
model |> plot_model() +
  ggplot2::coord_flip()

# Adding labels
model |>
  plot_model(
    labels = c("A long name for a \n node", "This", "That"),
    nodecol = "white",
    textcol = "black")

# Math labels: add parse = TRUE
make_model() |>
  plot_model(
    labels = c("alpha^2", "beta[1]"),
    parse = TRUE,
    textcol  = "black", nodecol = "white")

# Mixed math text labels: add parse = TRUE
make_model() |>
  plot_model(
      labels = c('alpha ~ "class"', 'beta ~ "class"'),
      parse = TRUE,
      textcol  = "black", nodecol = "white",)

# Adding math title after graph creation
make_model() |>
  plot_model() +
  ggplot2::labs(title = expression(paste(Gamma, " graph")))

## End(Not run)

# DAG with unobserved confounding and shapes and position control
make_model('Z -> X -> Y; X <-> Y') |>
  plot(x_coord = 1:3, y_coord = 1:3, shape = c(15, 16, 16))

# Sometimes clipping of nodes or labels arises and can be dealt with thus:
make_model() |>
  plot_model() +
  ggplot2::coord_cartesian(clip = "off")

CausalQueries documentation built on Jan. 29, 2026, 5:07 p.m.