Converts the dataset X to a point pattern
  (an object of class "ppp"; see ppp.object for
  an overview).
This function is normally used to convert an existing point pattern
  dataset, stored in another format, to the "ppp" format.
  To create a new point pattern from raw data such as \(x,y\)
  coordinates, it is normally easier to use the creator function
  ppp.
The function as.ppp is generic, with methods for the
  classes "ppp", "psp", "quad", "matrix",
  "data.frame" and a default method.
The dataset X may be:
an object of class "ppp"
 
an object of class "psp"
 
a point pattern object created by the spatial library
 
an object of class "quad" representing a quadrature scheme
    (see quad.object)
 
a matrix or data frame with at least two columns
 
a structure with entries x, y which are numeric vectors
    of equal length
 
a numeric vector of length 2, interpreted as the coordinates
    of a single point.
 
In the last three cases, we need the second argument W
  which is converted to a window object
  by the function as.owin.
  In the first four cases, W will be ignored.
If X is a line segment pattern (an object of class psp)
  the point pattern returned consists of the endpoints of the segments.
  If X is marked then the point pattern returned will also be
  marked, the mark associated with a point being the mark of the segment
  of which that point was an endpoint.
If X is a matrix or data frame, the first and second columns will
  be interpreted as the \(x\) and \(y\) coordinates respectively.
  Any additional columns will be interpreted as marks.
  
The argument fatal indicates what to do when 
  W is missing and X contains no
  information about the window. If fatal=TRUE, a fatal error
  will be generated; if fatal=FALSE, the
  value NULL is returned.
In the spatial library, a point pattern is represented
  in either of the following formats:
(in spatial versions 1 to 6)
    a structure with entries x, y
    xl, xu, yl, yu
 
(in spatial version 7)
    a structure with entries
    x, y and area,
    where area is a structure with entries
    xl, xu, yl, yu
 
where x and y are vectors of equal length
  giving the point coordinates, and xl, xu, yl,
  yu are numbers giving the dimensions of a rectangular window.
Point pattern datasets can also be created by the function
  ppp.