Aesthetic mapping with positional z support

This function extends ggplot2::aes() to support positional mapping to the z aesthetic. It maintains full backward compatibility with the original aes() function while enabling the convenient aes(x, y, z) syntax for 3D plots.

Usage

aes(x, y, z, ...)

Arguments

x

Variable to map to x aesthetic (required)

y

Variable to map to y aesthetic (required)

z

Variable to map to z aesthetic (optional)

...

Other aesthetic mappings (color, size, etc.)

Value

An aesthetic mapping object, same as ggplot2::aes()

Details

This function is a lightweight wrapper around ggplot2::aes() that:

• Maintains full backward compatibility with existing 2D plots

• Enables positional z mapping: aes(x_var, y_var, z_var)

• Works with any geom that uses the z aesthetic (contour, raster, 3D plots)

• Passes through all other aesthetics unchanged

See also

aes for the original aesthetic mapping function, coord_3d for 3D coordinate systems

Examples

library(ggplot2)

# 2D plots work like regular ggplot2
ggplot(mtcars, aes(mpg, wt)) + geom_point()


# 3D plots can use positional syntax, or explicitly map to z
# same as: ggplot(mtcars, aes(mpg, wt, z = qsec)) + geom_point() + coord_3d()
ggplot(mtcars, aes(mpg, wt, qsec)) + geom_point() + coord_3d()


# Also works with non-ggcube z-aesthetic geoms
ggplot(mountain, aes(x, y, z)) + geom_contour()