MatpLaTeX: Simplifying Figure Integration in LaTeX with Matplotlib
Are you tired of spending precious time adjusting figure settings for your LaTeX documents? Do you struggle with matching font styles and sizes between your figures and your manuscript? Look no further – MatpLaTeX is here to simplify the integration of Matplotlib figures into your LaTeX documents.
Installation
To get started with MatpLaTeX, you’ll need a few requirements:
- Python 3.10 or higher (earlier versions may be supported upon request)
- Matplotlib 3.5 or higher
- beartype package
You can install MatpLaTeX using pip:
pip install matplatex
Basic Usage
Saving a figure with MatpLaTeX is a breeze. Simply use the matplatex.save() function, passing in your Matplotlib figure and the desired filename:
matplatex.save(fig, "myfig")
This will generate two files: myfig.pdf containing the graphics and myfig.pdf_tex containing the surrounding text in LaTeX format.
To include the figure in your LaTeX document, add the following line to your preamble:
\newsavebox\figurebox
Then, use the following command to insert the figure into your document, adjusting the width as needed:
\def\figurewidth{}
\input{myfig.pdf_tex}
Any LaTeX commands such as \small or \textbf{} that you apply to the text will be correctly rendered.
More Options
If you prefer using different commands instead of \figurebox and \figurewidth, you can easily customize them. Simply pass the boxname or widthcommand keyword arguments to the matplatex.save() function.
Limitations
It’s important to note a few limitations of MatpLaTeX:
- Characters that require escaping in LaTeX must also be escaped in the plot.
Why Choose MatpLaTeX?
You might be wondering why you should choose MatpLaTeX over alternatives like adjusting plot settings in a matplotlib style sheet, using tikzplotlib, or using pgfplots directly.
MatpLaTeX offers a unique solution that complements these tools. While matplotlib style sheets require recreating every figure when making changes, MatpLaTeX allows for immediate adjustments without the need to regenerate the figure. Tikzplotlib, on the other hand, is suitable for simple figures but may struggle with complex or data-rich plots. MatpLaTeX fills this gap by providing accurate recreation of more complex figures. As for using pgfplots directly, if you prefer working with Python, MatpLaTeX offers a more familiar and comfortable environment.
So, if you’re someone who values attention to detail and seamless integration of figures into your LaTeX documents, MatpLaTeX is the right choice for you.
Conclusion
MatpLaTeX is a powerful tool that simplifies the integration of Matplotlib figures into LaTeX documents. With its easy installation process, straightforward usage, and customization options, it provides a seamless solution to match the text and graphics in your documents. While bearing some limitations, MatpLaTeX offers a unique approach that complements other tools, making it a valuable addition to your workflow.
If you’re eager to enhance the quality of your LaTeX documents and streamline your figure integration process, give MatpLaTeX a try. Happy typesetting!
References
- MatpLaTeX Repository: https://github.com/johashei/matplatex
- Matplotlib Documentation: https://matplotlib.org/
- LaTeX Project: https://www.latex-project.org/
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