[R] Problems creating a PNG file for a dendrogram: "Error in plot.window(...) : need finite 'xlim' values"

[Bill.Venables at csiro.au]

I very much doubt your first example does work.  the value of plot() is NULL which if you plot again will give the error message you see in your second example.

What where you trying to achieve doing

p <- plot(hc)
plot(p)             ### this one is trying to plot NULL

?

Here is an example (such as you might have given, according to the posting guide):

> x <- matrix(rnorm(500*5), 500, 5)
> dc <- as.dist(1-cor(x))
> hc <- hclust(dc)
> p <- plot(hc)
> plot(p)
Error in plot.window(...) : need finite 'xlim' values
In addition: Warning messages:
1: In min(x) : no non-missing arguments to min; returning Inf
2: In max(x) : no non-missing arguments to max; returning -Inf
3: In min(x) : no non-missing arguments to min; returning Inf
4: In max(x) : no non-missing arguments to max; returning -Inf
> 

Look familiar? This is why:

> p
NULL
> 


-----Original Message-----
From: r-help-bounces at r-project.org [mailto:r-help-bounces at r-project.org] On Behalf Of Richard Vlasimsky
Sent: Wednesday, 12 January 2011 10:01 AM
To: r-help at r-project.org
Subject: [R] Problems creating a PNG file for a dendrogram: "Error in plot.window(...) : need finite 'xlim' values"


Has anyone successfully created a PNG file for a dendrogram?

I am able to successfully launch and view a dendrogram in Quartz.  However, the dendrogram is quite large (too large to read on a computer screen), so I am trying to save it to a file (1000x4000 pixels) for viewing in other apps.  However, whenever I try to initiate a PNG device, I get a "need finitite 'xlim' values" error. 



Here is some example code to illustrate my point:

cor.matrix <- cor(mydata,method="pearson",use="pairwise.complete.obs");
distance <- as.dist(1.0-cor.matrix);
hc <- hclust(distance);
p <- plot(hc);
plot(p);
#This works!  Plot is generated in quartz no problem.


#Now, try this:
png(filename="delme.png",width=4000,height=1000);
cor.matrix <- cor(mydata,method="pearson",use="pairwise.complete.obs");
distance <- as.dist(1.0-cor.matrix);
hc <- hclust(distance);
p <- plot(hc);
plot(p);
#Error in plot.window(...) : need finite 'xlim' values
#In addition: Warning messages:
#1: In min(x) : no non-missing arguments to min; returning Inf
#2: In max(x) : no non-missing arguments to max; returning -Inf
#3: In min(x) : no non-missing arguments to min; returning Inf
#4: In max(x) : no non-missing arguments to max; returning -Inf 

This is the exact same code, only a prior call to png() causes the seemingly unrelated xlim to fail.  Why is this?

Thanks,
Richard Vlasimsky
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