Hexagonal Rayshading

olympus_hex.R

library(LaCroixColoR)
library(sf)
library(fasterize)
library(rayshader)
library(raster)
library(exactextractr)
library(rayrender)

# load raster into R
elevation <- raster("Olympus_Mons_ortho-image.tif")

# make hexagonal grid
hexbin_vec <- st_make_grid(st_as_sfc(st_bbox(elevation)), cellsize = 25, square = FALSE)

# get mean raster values for each hexagon
values <- exact_extract(elevation, hexbin_vec, "mean")

# turn it into a simple feature and give it values
hexbin_vec <- st_sf(geom=hexbin_vec)
hexbin_vec$elevation <- values

# turn hexbin into raster
hexbins <- fasterize(hexbin_vec,
                     elevation,
                     field = "elevation",
                     fun="sum")

# and the raster into a rayrender!
elevation_matrix <- raster_to_matrix(hexbins)

elevation_matrix %>%
  height_shade(texture = lacroix_palette("Pamplemousse", 256)) %>%
  add_shadow(ray_shade(elevation_matrix, zscale=2, sunaltitude=25, sunangle=315), 0.3) %>%
  plot_3d(elevation_matrix, zscale = 0.3, shadow = FALSE, fov = 0, theta = -45, baseshape = "hex")

render_highquality(filename = "hexagons_highres.png", 
                   samples=500, 
                   lightdirection = c(60,120, 240),
                   lightaltitude=c(90,25, 12),
                   lightintensity=c(100, 500, 450),
                   lightcolor = c("white", "#FF9956", "#FF79E7"),
                   progress=TRUE,
                   parallel=TRUE)

Image can be found here:

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2008/02/Olympus_Mons_ortho-image

🚀 Output as shared on tweet.