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rpdfgraphicsplotpng

Save a plot as PNG and PDF only by one call to the plot function in R

I would like to have a plot in both pdf and png formats:

pdf("test.pdf")
plot(sin, -pi, 2*pi)
dev.off()

png("test.png")
plot(sin, -pi, 2*pi)
dev.off()

But, I am searching for a trick (preferably, not by loading a new package) in which plot function only be called once:

#no plot in pdf!
pdf("test1.pdf"); png("test1.png")
plot(sin, -pi, 2*pi)
dev.off(); dev.off()

Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Solution

  • You can use dev.copy() for your purpose. For instance:

    pdf("test.pdf")
a<-dev.cur()
png("test.png")
dev.control("enable")
plot(sin, -pi, 2*pi)
dev.copy(which=a)
dev.off()
dev.off()

    You take note of the pdf device through dev.cur and then copy the plot from the png device to the pdf one.