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4DModeller
What 4DModeller is
4DModeller is a free Linux package for spatio-temporal statistical modelling, covering problems from micro to global scales. It expects tabular data containing a response or measured value, spatial coordinates, a time index, and optional covariates; values may change or remain constant over time. The package combines visualization, finite element mesh construction, Bayesian hierarchical modelling, and tools for evaluating model output. Its Bayesian approach is based on INLA and inlabru, and users can specify priors when selecting model hyperparameters. The project provides an R package, Shiny apps, and R Markdown notebook tutorials, including guidance for reshaping raw data into model-ready form. Setup requires a recent R version plus INLA and fdmr installed from GitHub. On Ubuntu 20.04, some systems may need compiler tools and extra dependency libraries. It is released under GPL version 3 or later, with support handled through GitHub issues.
Who it suits
4DModeller suits Linux users with organized tabular datasets containing spatial coordinates, time indices, and values. It is intended for analysts using R and Bayesian or finite-element workflows.
What it does well
- Free plan
- Supports spatial and temporal models
- Includes visualization and mesh building
- Bayesian modelling uses INLA and inlabru
- Provides Shiny and R Markdown tools
What to know first
- Requires a recent R version
- INLA and fdmr install from GitHub
- Ubuntu systems may need extra build libraries
- Expects structured tabular input
Verdict
4DModeller brings data preparation, visualization, Bayesian modelling, mesh creation, and assessment into one free R-oriented package. Installation and data-structure requirements make it most suitable for users already prepared to work in its documented workflow.
Facts from 4DModeller's own pages
- Bayesian analysis
- Yes · 4dmodeller.github.io, 23 Sept 2026
- Bayesian modelling
- Its Bayesian hierarchical modelling is based on INLA and inlabru. · 4dmodeller.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Data
- It expects tabular datasets with spatial coordinates, time indices, and values that change or remain constant over time. · 4dmodeller.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Data format
- The tutorial says model input should be a data frame with a response, spatial coordinates, a time index, and covariate columns when applicable. · 4dmodeller.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Data import formats
- Tabular datasets with spatial coordinates, time indices, and values; specific file formats are not stated. · 4dmodeller.github.io, 23 Sept 2026
- Data preparation
- The data preprocessing tutorial describes transforming raw data into the format needed to run a Bayesian hierarchical model with fdmr. · 4dmodeller.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- both · 4dmodeller.github.io, 23 Sept 2026
- Developers
- The page names Gareth Jones as author and maintainer and lists Xueqing Yin, John Aiken, and Jonathan Bamber as authors. · 4dmodeller.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Features
- The package includes data visualization, finite element mesh building, Bayesian hierarchical modelling, and model evaluation and assessment tools. · 4dmodeller.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · 4dmodeller.github.io, 23 Sept 2026
- Inference integrations
- Its Bayesian hierarchical modelling is based on INLA and inlabru. · 4dmodeller.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The quickstart requires a recent R installation and gives instructions to install INLA and the fdmr package from GitHub. · 4dmodeller.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The project is designed for users who have organized their data into tabular datasets with spatial coordinates, time indices, and values. · 4dmodeller.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The package is licensed under GPL (>= 3). · 4dmodeller.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Linux requirement
- For Ubuntu 20.04, the installation page says some systems may need build tools and additional libraries for dependencies. · 4dmodeller.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Linux support
- The installation page discusses Ubuntu 20.04 and notes that some Linux systems need additional compiler and library packages. · 4dmodeller.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Mesh building
- It includes tools for building finite element meshes for model calculations. · 4dmodeller.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Model evaluation
- It includes tools for evaluating and assessing model output. · 4dmodeller.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Modelling
- It supports spatially distributed, temporally dependent statistical models using tabular data with spatial coordinates, time indices and measured values. · 4dmodeller.github.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Priors
- The project describes specifying priors to help select model hyperparameters. · 4dmodeller.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- 4DModeller is a spatio-temporal modelling package for problems ranging from micro to global scales. · 4dmodeller.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Scripting support
- Yes · 4dmodeller.github.io, 23 Sept 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to its GitHub issues page to report bugs or raise issues. · 4dmodeller.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
- Visualization
- The package includes data visualization tools. · 4dmodeller.github.io, 12 Oct 2026
Where 4DModeller stands on Freedom251
- Statistical Analysis Software#66 of 106