plot_mlna: Multilevel Network Visualization

In cograph: Analysis and Visualization of Complex Networks

Multilevel Network Visualization

Description

Visualizes multilevel/multiplex networks where multiple layers are stacked in a 3D perspective view. Each layer contains nodes connected by solid edges (within-layer), while dashed lines connect nodes between adjacent layers (inter-layer edges). Each layer is enclosed in a parallelogram shell giving a pseudo-3D appearance.

Usage

plot_mlna(
  model,
  layer_list = NULL,
  community = NULL,
  layout = "horizontal",
  layer_spacing = 4,
  layer_width = 8,
  layer_depth = 4,
  skew_angle = 25,
  node_spacing = 0.7,
  colors = NULL,
  shapes = NULL,
  edge_colors = NULL,
  within_edges = TRUE,
  between_edges = TRUE,
  between_style = 2,
  show_border = TRUE,
  legend = TRUE,
  legend_position = "topright",
  curvature = 0.15,
  node_size = 3,
  minimum = 0,
  scale = 1,
  show_labels = TRUE,
  nodes = NULL,
  label_abbrev = NULL,
  ...
)

mlna(
  model,
  layer_list = NULL,
  community = NULL,
  layout = "horizontal",
  layer_spacing = 4,
  layer_width = 8,
  layer_depth = 4,
  skew_angle = 25,
  node_spacing = 0.7,
  colors = NULL,
  shapes = NULL,
  edge_colors = NULL,
  within_edges = TRUE,
  between_edges = TRUE,
  between_style = 2,
  show_border = TRUE,
  legend = TRUE,
  legend_position = "topright",
  curvature = 0.15,
  node_size = 3,
  minimum = 0,
  scale = 1,
  show_labels = TRUE,
  nodes = NULL,
  label_abbrev = NULL,
  ...
)

Arguments

model	A tna object, weight matrix, or cograph_network.
layer_list	Layers can be specified as: A list of character vectors (node names per layer) A string column name from nodes data (e.g., "layer") NULL to auto-detect from columns named: layer, layers, groups, etc. NULL with community specified for algorithmic detection
community	Community detection method to use for auto-layering. If specified, overrides layer_list. See detect_communities for available methods: "louvain", "walktrap", "fast_greedy", "label_prop", "infomap", "leiden".
layout	Node layout within layers: "horizontal" (default) spreads nodes horizontally, "circle" arranges nodes in an ellipse, "spring" uses force-directed placement based on within-layer connections.
layer_spacing	Vertical distance between layer centers. Default 2.5.
layer_width	Horizontal width of each layer shell. Default 5.
layer_depth	Depth of each layer (for 3D effect). Default 2.5.
skew_angle	Angle of perspective skew in degrees. Default 25.
node_spacing	Node placement ratio within layer (0-1). Default 0.7. Higher values spread nodes closer to the layer edges.
colors	Vector of colors for each layer. Default auto-generated.
shapes	Vector of shapes for each layer. Default cycles through "circle", "square", "diamond", "triangle".
edge_colors	Vector of edge colors by source layer. If NULL (default), uses darker versions of layer colors.
within_edges	Logical. Show edges within layers (solid lines). Default TRUE.
between_edges	Logical. Show edges between adjacent layers (dashed lines). Default TRUE.
between_style	Line style for between-layer edges. Default 2 (dashed). Use 1 for solid, 3 for dotted.
show_border	Logical. Draw parallelogram shells around layers. Default TRUE.
legend	Logical. Whether to show legend. Default TRUE.
legend_position	Position for legend. Default "topright".
curvature	Edge curvature for within-layer edges. Default 0.15.
node_size	Size of nodes. Default 2.5.
minimum	Minimum edge weight threshold. Edges below this are hidden. Default 0.
scale	Scaling factor for spacing parameters. Use scale > 1 for high-resolution output (e.g., scale = 4 for 300 dpi). This multiplies layer_spacing, layer_width, and layer_depth to maintain proper proportions at higher resolutions. Default 1.
show_labels	Logical. Show node labels. Default TRUE.
nodes	Node metadata. Can be: NULL (default): Use existing nodes data from cograph_network Data frame: Must have label column for matching; if labels column exists, uses it for display text Display priority: labels column > label column (identifiers).
label_abbrev	Label abbreviation: NULL (none), integer (max chars), or "auto" (adaptive based on node count).
...	Additional parameters (currently unused).

Value

Invisibly returns NULL.

See plot_mlna.

Examples

## Not run: 
# Create multilevel network
set.seed(42)
nodes <- paste0("N", 1:15)
m <- matrix(runif(225, 0, 0.3), 15, 15)
diag(m) <- 0
colnames(m) <- rownames(m) <- nodes

# Define 3 layers
layers <- list(
  Macro = paste0("N", 1:5),
  Meso = paste0("N", 6:10),
  Micro = paste0("N", 11:15)
)

# Basic usage
plot_mlna(m, layers)

# Customized
plot_mlna(m, layers,
     layer_spacing = 2.5,
     layer_width = 5,
     between_style = 2,  # dashed
     minimum = 0.1)

# Circle layout within layers
plot_mlna(m, layers, layout = "circle")

## End(Not run)
## Not run: 
nodes <- paste0("N", 1:9)
m <- matrix(runif(81, 0, 0.3), 9, 9)
diag(m) <- 0
colnames(m) <- rownames(m) <- nodes
layers <- list(L1 = nodes[1:3], L2 = nodes[4:6], L3 = nodes[7:9])
mlna(m, layers)

## End(Not run)

cograph documentation built on April 1, 2026, 1:07 a.m.