scientific-plotting

Create and validate publication-quality scientific figures in Python using Matplotlib and SciencePlots.

3|1|Updated Mar 7, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/Plusero/agentic-research-skills --skill scientific-plotting-plusero
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: scientific-plotting
Source: https://github.com/Plusero/agentic-research-skills/tree/main/resources/skills/scientific-plotting
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/Plusero/agentic-research-skills --skill scientific-plotting-plusero

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires matplotlib, SciencePlots.

What problem does it solve? Producing figures that meet journal formatting requirements (IEEE, Nature) is tedious: styles, sizes, labels, legends, and vector exports all need manual tuning, and visual defects like overlapping labels or clipped text are easy to miss. This Skill enforces a consistent construction and validation workflow so every figure is publication-ready. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Venue-aware styling: Applies SciencePlots style combinations (science, ieee, nature, notebook, grayscale) matched to the target venue. - Construction rules: Enforces axis labels with units, per-series legends, explicit figure sizes for single- or double-column layouts, and grayscale-safe series differentiation. - Visual validation: Runs the script, inspects the PNG preview for overlaps and boundary violations, and checks the PDF/SVG at 400% zoom for raster artifacts. - Use Case: You have simulation results for an IEEE Transactions paper. Ask for a double-column figure and receive a runnable Python script plus PDF and PNG outputs styled with ['science', 'ieee'] at 7.16 inches wide. ## Quick Start Plot my experiment results as an IEEE-style double-column figure with labeled axes, a legend, and both PDF and PNG outputs.

Frequently Asked Questions about scientific-plotting

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I create publication-quality plots in Python with Matplotlib?

Use Matplotlib together with the SciencePlots library, starting scripts with `import scienceplots` and applying `plt.style.context(['science'])`. Set explicit figure sizes, label all axes with units, add legends per series, and export PDF or SVG plus a PNG preview.

What figure size should I use for IEEE journal papers?

Use 3.5 by 2.6 inches for a single-column figure and 7.16 by 3.5 inches for a double-column figure. Combine the `science` and `ieee` styles from SciencePlots to match IEEE Transactions formatting conventions.

Does SciencePlots require a LaTeX installation?

SciencePlots requires LaTeX for styles that set `text.usetex=True`. If LaTeX is unavailable, wrap plotting in `plt.rc_context({"text.usetex": False})` and note the substitution in the output.

How do I make Matplotlib figures readable in grayscale?

Distinguish each series by at least two of color, marker, and line style, especially when a figure has more than four series. You can also apply the `grayscale` style from SciencePlots when grayscale output is explicitly requested.

Why does tight_layout cause clipping in Matplotlib figures?

tight_layout can emit warnings or leave clipped labels when the layout cannot be resolved automatically. Replace it with explicit `subplots_adjust` values and re-verify the exported PNG at its final dimensions.