How to make grouped layout in igraph?

Question

In igraph, after applying a modularization algorithm to find graph communites, i would like to draw a network layout which clearly makes visible the distinct communities and their connections. Something like "group attributes layout" in Cytoscape: i want to show the members of each group/community close to each other, and keep some distance between groups/communities. I couldn't find any function in igraph providing this feature out of the box. While posting this question i have already found out a simple d.i.y solution, i going to post it as an answer. But i am wondering if there is any better possibility, or more elaborated solution?

Answer 1

Inspired on Antoine's suggestion, I created this function:

edge.weights <- function(community, network, weight.within = 100, weight.between = 1) {
bridges <- crossing(communities = community, graph = network)
weights <- ifelse(test = bridges, yes = weight.between, no = weight.within)
return(weights) 
}

The function does the same; just put your community object in the community slot, your graph in the network one. I would left the weight.between = 1 and tune the weight.within value.

Then transfer the weights to the weight slot in the nodes:

E(graph)$weight <- edge.weights(community, graph)

Finally use a layout algorithm that uses weights like layout_with_fr (the new name of fruchterman.reingold in igraph 1.0.1).

I use the Zachary's karate club network as example.

library(igraph)
library(igraphdata)
#I load the network
data(karate)
#for reproducible purposes
set.seed(23548723)
karateLayout <- layout_with_fr(karate)
par(mar = c(0,0,2,0))
plot(karate, vertex.size = 10, vertex.color = "steelblue4", edge.width = 1, 
vertex.label = NA, edge.color = "darkgrey", layout = karateLayout,
main = "Zachary's karate club network" )

I detect the communities by multi-level optimization of modularity with the cluster_louvain function:

Communitykarate <- cluster_louvain(karate)

The next it's a personal preference over the defaults:

prettyColors <- c("turquoise4", "azure4", "olivedrab","deeppink4")
communityColors <- prettyColors[membership(Communitykarate)]

The graph with the communities highlighted using colors is:

plot(x = Communitykarate, y = karate, edge.width = 1, vertex.size = 10, 
vertex.label = NA, mark.groups = NULL, layout = karateLayout, col = communityColors,
main = "Communities in Zachary's karate club network",
edge.color = c("darkgrey","tomato2")crossing(Communitykarate, karate) + 1])

Now, the meaning why this question exist.

E(karate)$weight <- edge.weights(Communitykarate, karate)
# I use the original layout as a base for the new one
karateLayoutA <- layout_with_fr(karate, karateLayout)
# the graph with the nodes grouped
plot(x = Communitykarate, y = karate, edge.width = 1, vertex.size = 10, 
mark.groups = NULL, layout = karateLayoutA, vertex.label = NA, col = communityColors, 
c("darkgrey","tomato2")[crossing(Communitykarate, karate) + 1],
main = "Communities in Zachary's karate club network (grouped)")

If you try with more weight you will have have:

E(karate)$weight <- edge.weights(Communitykarate, karate, weight.within = 1000)
karateLayoutB <- layout_with_fr(karate, karateLayout)
plot(x = Communitykarate, y = karate, edge.width = 1, vertex.size = 10,
 mark.groups = NULL, layout = karateLayoutB, vertex.label = NA, col = communityColors, 
c("darkgrey","tomato2")[crossing(Communitykarate, karate) + 1],
main = "Communities in Zachary's karate club network (grouped)")