ggsem: Launch ggsem Shiny Application

In ggsem: Interactive Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Multi-Group Path Diagrams

Launch ggsem Shiny Application

Description

Main function to launch the ggsem Shiny application for interactive network and structural equation modeling visualization. The app can be started with pre-existing objects or used to create visualizations from scratch.

Usage

ggsem(
  object = NULL,
  model_obj = NULL,
  model = NULL,
  metadata = NULL,
  type = "sem",
  session = "sem",
  center_x = NULL,
  center_y = NULL,
  width = NULL,
  height = NULL,
  random_seed = NULL,
  group_id = NULL,
  group_level = NULL
)

Arguments

object	Optional visualization object. Supported types include: - For SEM: 'lavaan', 'qgraph' (from semPaths), 'sem_graph' (tidySEM), 'MxRAMModel' (OpenMx), 'mplusObject', 'grViz' (diagrammeR) - For networks: 'igraph', 'network', 'qgraph'
model_obj	Optional model object to accompany visualization objects. Required for some object types like 'sem_graph' (tidySEM) for SEM visualizations.
model	Same with model_obj
metadata	Path to a saved RDS file containing a previous ggsem workflow session or RDS-read object. When provided, the app will load this session data instead of creating a new one.
type	Type of analysis: 'sem' for structural equation modeling or 'network' for network analysis. Default is 'sem'.
session	Initial session type (element type) when app launches. Either 'point', 'line', 'annotation', 'loop', 'sem' or 'network'. Default is 'sem'.
center_x	X-coordinate for the center of the visualization. If NULL, defaults to 0.
center_y	Y-coordinate for the center of the visualization. If NULL, defaults to 0.
width	Width of the visualization area. If NULL, defaults to 25.
height	Height of the visualization area. If NULL, defaults to 25.
random_seed	Random seed for reproducibility of layouts. If NULL, uses current time in milliseconds.
group_id	Identifier for grouping in multi-group models
group_level	Level for grouping in multi-group models as in original data file or model object

Details

The ggsem Shiny application provides an interactive interface for: - Visualizing and customizing SEM path diagrams - Creating and modifying network visualizations - Adjusting node/edge aesthetics, layouts, and annotations - Exporting high-quality publication-ready graphics

When starting with an object, the app will pre-load the visualization and allow further customization. When starting without an object, users can upload data or use built-in examples.

Value

Launches a Shiny application. Does not return a value.

Supported Object Types

SEM Objects:

• lavaan: Fitted lavaan models

• qgraph: semPaths objects from lavaan models

• sem_graph: tidySEM objects

• MxRAMModel: OpenMx models

• mplusObject: Mplus models

• grViz: diagrammeR objects from lavaanPlot

Network Objects:

• igraph: igraph network objects

• network: network package objects

• qgraph: qgraph network objects

Examples

## Not run: 
# Launch app without pre-existing objects
ggsem()

# Launch app with a lavaan model
library(lavaan)
model <- ' visual  =~ x1 + x2 + x3
           textual =~ x4 + x5 + x6
           speed   =~ x7 + x8 + x9 '
fit <- cfa(model, data = HolzingerSwineford1939)
ggsem(object = fit)

# Launch app with an igraph network
library(igraph)
g <- make_ring(10)
ggsem(object = g, type = "network", session = "network")

# Launch app with custom dimensions
ggsem(object = g, type = "network", center_x = 10, center_y = 10, width = 30, height = 30)


# Launch app with no input
ggsem()

## End(Not run)

ggsem documentation built on Oct. 16, 2026, 1:06 a.m.