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Mixed Subfigures: Plots and Diagrams

from tikzfigure import TikzFigure, arrows, styles

Mixed Subfigures: Combining Plots and Diagrams

Section titled “Mixed Subfigures: Combining Plots and Diagrams”

Create sophisticated figures that combine axis-based plots with custom TikZ diagrams (nodes, paths, shapes). Mix them freely in grid layouts.

Side-by-Side: Plot and Diagram

Section titled “Side-by-Side: Plot and Diagram”

The simplest case: an axis-based plot next to a TikZ diagram.

fig = TikzFigure(rows=1, cols=2)


# Left: Axis with plot
ax = fig.subfigure_axis(
    xlabel="x",
    ylabel="y",
    width=0.5,
)
ax.add_plot(
    [0, 1, 2],
    [0, 1, 4],
    label="$y=x^2$",
    marker="o",
)
ax.set_legend()


# Right: TikZ diagram with nodes and paths
diagram = fig.subfigure(width=0.5)
A = diagram.node(
    0,
    2,
    label="A",
    content="A",
    shape="circle",
    fill="cyan!40",
)
B = diagram.node(
    3,
    2,
    label="B",
    content="B",
    shape="circle",
    fill="cyan!40",
)
C = diagram.node(
    0,
    0,
    label="C",
    content="C",
    shape="circle",
    fill="cyan!40",
)
D = diagram.node(
    3,
    0,
    label="D",
    content="D",
    shape="circle",
    fill="cyan!40",
)
diagram.draw([A, B], arrows=arrows.forward)
diagram.draw([A, C], arrows=arrows.forward)
diagram.draw([B, D], arrows=arrows.forward)
diagram.draw([C, D], arrows=arrows.forward)
diagram.draw(
    [A, D],
    arrows=arrows.forward,
    options=[styles.dashed],
    bend_left=20,
    color="gray",
)


fig.show()

Show Tikz code 
print(fig)
\begin{tikzpicture}
    \begin{scope}[xshift=0.0cm, yshift=0.0cm]
            \begin{axis}[width=7.0cm, xlabel=x, ylabel=y, grid=major, legend pos=north east]
                \addplot[marker=o] coordinates {(0,0) (1,1) (2,4)};
                \legend{$y=x^2$}
            \end{axis}
    \end{scope}
    \begin{scope}[xshift=8.5cm, yshift=0.0cm]
            \node[shape=circle, fill=cyan!40] (A) at ({0}, {2}) {A};
            \node[shape=circle, fill=cyan!40] (B) at ({3}, {2}) {B};
            \node[shape=circle, fill=cyan!40] (C) at ({0}, {0}) {C};
            \node[shape=circle, fill=cyan!40] (D) at ({3}, {0}) {D};
            \draw[->] (A) to (B);
            \draw[->] (A) to (C);
            \draw[->] (B) to (D);
            \draw[->] (C) to (D);
            \draw[dashed, ->, color=gray, bend left=20] (A) to (D);
    \end{scope}
\end{tikzpicture}

Key API: - fig.subfigure_axis() — Create an axis-based subplot - fig.subfigure() — Create a bare TikZ diagram subplot - Both return objects you can populate with plots or drawings

2×2 Grid: Mix Freely

Section titled “2×2 Grid: Mix Freely”

Create a 2×2 grid with plots and diagrams in any arrangement.

fig = TikzFigure(rows=2, cols=2)


# Top-left: Linear plot
ax1 = fig.subfigure_axis(
    xlabel="x",
    ylabel="y",
    width=0.45,
)
ax1.add_plot(
    [0, 1, 2, 3],
    [0, 1, 2, 3],
    label="Linear",
    marker="o",
)
ax1.set_legend()


# Top-right: Quadratic plot
ax2 = fig.subfigure_axis(
    xlabel="x",
    ylabel="y",
    width=0.45,
)
ax2.add_plot(
    [0, 1, 2, 3],
    [0, 1, 4, 9],
    label="Quadratic",
    marker="s",
)
ax2.set_legend()


# Bottom-left: Diagram - simple flowchart
flowchart = fig.subfigure(width=0.45, height=5)
start = flowchart.node(
    1.5,
    3,
    label="start",
    content="Start",
    shape="circle",
    fill="green!40",
)
process = flowchart.node(
    1.5,
    1.5,
    label="process",
    content="Process",
    shape="rectangle",
    fill="yellow!40",
)
end = flowchart.node(
    1.5,
    0,
    label="end",
    content="End",
    shape="circle",
    fill="red!40",
)
flowchart.draw([start, process], arrows=arrows.forward)
flowchart.draw([process, end], arrows=arrows.forward)


# Bottom-right: Diagram - network
network = fig.subfigure(width=0.45, height=5)
center = network.node(
    1.5,
    1.5,
    label="center",
    content="Hub",
    shape="circle",
    fill="purple!40",
    minimum_size="15pt",
)
n1 = network.node(
    0.5,
    2.5,
    label="n1",
    content="Node 1",
    shape="circle",
    fill="cyan!40",
)
n2 = network.node(
    2.5,
    2.5,
    label="n2",
    content="Node 2",
    shape="circle",
    fill="cyan!40",
)
n3 = network.node(
    0.5,
    0.5,
    label="n3",
    content="Node 3",
    shape="circle",
    fill="cyan!40",
)
n4 = network.node(
    2.5,
    0.5,
    label="n4",
    content="Node 4",
    shape="circle",
    fill="cyan!40",
)
network.draw([center, n1], options=[styles.thick])
network.draw([center, n2], options=[styles.thick])
network.draw([center, n3], options=[styles.thick])
network.draw([center, n4], options=[styles.thick])


fig.show()

Show Tikz code 
print(fig)
\begin{tikzpicture}
    \begin{scope}[xshift=0.0cm, yshift=0.0cm]
            \begin{axis}[width=6.3cm, xlabel=x, ylabel=y, grid=major, legend pos=north east]
                \addplot[marker=o] coordinates {(0,0) (1,1) (2,2) (3,3)};
                \legend{Linear}
            \end{axis}
    \end{scope}
    \begin{scope}[xshift=7.8cm, yshift=0.0cm]
            \begin{axis}[width=6.3cm, xlabel=x, ylabel=y, grid=major, legend pos=north east]
                \addplot[marker=s] coordinates {(0,0) (1,1) (2,4) (3,9)};
                \legend{Quadratic}
            \end{axis}
    \end{scope}
    \begin{scope}[xshift=0.0cm, yshift=-8.0cm]
            \node[shape=circle, fill=green!40] (start) at ({1.5}, {3}) {Start};
            \node[shape=rectangle, fill=yellow!40] (process) at ({1.5}, {1.5}) {Process};
            \node[shape=circle, fill=red!40] (end) at ({1.5}, {0}) {End};
            \draw[->] (start) to (process);
            \draw[->] (process) to (end);
    \end{scope}
    \begin{scope}[xshift=7.8cm, yshift=-8.0cm]
            \node[shape=circle, fill=purple!40, minimum size=15pt] (center) at ({1.5}, {1.5}) {Hub};
            \node[shape=circle, fill=cyan!40] (n1) at ({0.5}, {2.5}) {Node 1};
            \node[shape=circle, fill=cyan!40] (n2) at ({2.5}, {2.5}) {Node 2};
            \node[shape=circle, fill=cyan!40] (n3) at ({0.5}, {0.5}) {Node 3};
            \node[shape=circle, fill=cyan!40] (n4) at ({2.5}, {0.5}) {Node 4};
            \draw[thick] (center) to (n1);
            \draw[thick] (center) to (n2);
            \draw[thick] (center) to (n3);
            \draw[thick] (center) to (n4);
    \end{scope}
\end{tikzpicture}

Flowchart with Data Comparison

Section titled “Flowchart with Data Comparison”

Combine an algorithm flowchart with performance data.

fig = TikzFigure(rows=2, cols=1)


# Top: Convergence comparison
ax = fig.subfigure_axis(
    xlabel="Iteration",
    ylabel="Error",
    width=0.9,
)
x = [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
ax.add_plot(
    x,
    [1.0, 0.5, 0.25, 0.125, 0.06, 0.03],
    label="Fast",
    marker="o",
)
ax.add_plot(
    x,
    [1.0, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5],
    label="Slow",
    marker="s",
)
ax.set_legend()


# Bottom: Algorithm flowchart
flowchart = fig.subfigure(width=0.9, height=7)


# Build flowchart nodes
start = flowchart.node(
    2,
    4.5,
    label="start",
    content="Initialize",
    shape="circle",
    fill="green!40",
)
input_node = flowchart.node(
    2,
    3.5,
    label="input",
    content="Set Parameters",
    shape="rectangle",
    fill="cyan!40",
)
check_iter = flowchart.node(
    2,
    2.5,
    label="check_iter",
    content="Iterations < Max?",
    shape="diamond",
)
compute = flowchart.node(
    4,
    2.5,
    label="compute",
    content="Compute Step",
    shape="rectangle",
    fill="yellow!40",
)
check_conv = flowchart.node(
    4,
    1.5,
    label="check_conv",
    content="Converged?",
    shape="diamond",
)
output = flowchart.node(
    2,
    0.5,
    label="output",
    content="Output Result",
    shape="rectangle",
    fill="cyan!40",
)
end = flowchart.node(
    2,
    -0.5,
    label="end",
    content="End",
    shape="circle",
    fill="red!40",
)


# Draw paths
flowchart.draw([start, input_node], arrows=arrows.forward)
flowchart.draw(
    [input_node, check_iter],
    arrows=arrows.forward,
)
flowchart.draw(
    [check_iter, compute],
    arrows=arrows.forward,
    label="yes",
)
flowchart.draw([compute, check_conv], arrows=arrows.forward)
flowchart.draw(
    [check_iter, output],
    arrows=arrows.forward,
    label="no",
)
flowchart.draw(
    [check_conv, compute],
    arrows=arrows.forward,
    label="no",
    bend_left=30,
)
flowchart.draw(
    [check_conv, output],
    arrows=arrows.forward,
    label="yes",
)
flowchart.draw([output, end], arrows=arrows.forward)


fig.show()

Show Tikz code 
print(fig)
\begin{tikzpicture}
    \begin{scope}[xshift=0.0cm, yshift=0.0cm]
            \begin{axis}[width=12.6cm, xlabel=Iteration, ylabel=Error, grid=major, legend pos=north east]
                \addplot[marker=o] coordinates {(0,1.0) (1,0.5) (2,0.25) (3,0.125) (4,0.06) (5,0.03)};
                \addplot[marker=s] coordinates {(0,1.0) (1,0.9) (2,0.8) (3,0.7) (4,0.6) (5,0.5)};
                \legend{Fast, Slow}
            \end{axis}
    \end{scope}
    \begin{scope}[xshift=0.0cm, yshift=-8.0cm]
            \node[shape=circle, fill=green!40] (start) at ({2}, {4.5}) {Initialize};
            \node[shape=rectangle, fill=cyan!40] (input) at ({2}, {3.5}) {Set Parameters};
            \node[shape=diamond] (check_iter) at ({2}, {2.5}) {Iterations < Max?};
            \node[shape=rectangle, fill=yellow!40] (compute) at ({4}, {2.5}) {Compute Step};
            \node[shape=diamond] (check_conv) at ({4}, {1.5}) {Converged?};
            \node[shape=rectangle, fill=cyan!40] (output) at ({2}, {0.5}) {Output Result};
            \node[shape=circle, fill=red!40] (end) at ({2}, {-0.5}) {End};
            \draw[->] (start) to (input);
            \draw[->] (input) to (check_iter);
            \draw[->] (check_iter) to (compute);
            \draw[->] (compute) to (check_conv);
            \draw[->] (check_iter) to (output);
            \draw[->, bend left=30] (check_conv) to (compute);
            \draw[->] (check_conv) to (output);
            \draw[->] (output) to (end);
    \end{scope}
\end{tikzpicture}

State Machine Diagram with Benchmark Data

Section titled “State Machine Diagram with Benchmark Data”

Show a state machine alongside benchmark timing data.

fig = TikzFigure(figsize=(10, 5), rows=1, cols=2)


# Left: Timing benchmark
ax = fig.subfigure_axis(
    xlabel="Input Size",
    ylabel="Time (ms)",
    width=0.5,
)
sizes = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50]
time_state1 = [5, 10, 15, 20, 25]
time_state2 = [2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
time_state3 = [1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3]
ax.add_plot(
    sizes,
    time_state1,
    label="State 1",
    marker="o",
    plot_style="solid",
)
ax.add_plot(
    sizes,
    time_state2,
    label="State 2",
    marker="s",
    plot_style="dashed",
)
ax.add_plot(
    sizes,
    time_state3,
    label="State 3",
    marker="^",
    plot_style="dotted",
)
ax.set_legend()


# Right: State machine diagram
states = fig.subfigure(width=0.5, height=6)


# Create state nodes
s1 = states.node(
    0.5,
    2,
    label="s1",
    content="State 1",
    shape="circle",
    fill="red!40",
    minimum_size="12pt",
)
s2 = states.node(
    2,
    2,
    label="s2",
    content="State 2",
    shape="circle",
    fill="yellow!40",
    minimum_size="12pt",
)
s3 = states.node(
    3.5,
    2,
    label="s3",
    content="State 3",
    shape="circle",
    fill="green!40",
    minimum_size="12pt",
)


# Draw transitions
states.draw([s1, s2], arrows=arrows.forward, label="a")
states.draw([s2, s3], arrows=arrows.forward, label="b")
states.draw(
    [s2, s1],
    arrows=arrows.forward,
    label="c",
    bend_left=20,
)
states.draw(
    [s3, s1],
    arrows=arrows.forward,
    label="d",
    bend_left=-20,
)
states.draw(
    [s1, s1],
    arrows=arrows.forward,
    label="loop",
    bend_right=30,
    color="blue",
)


fig.show()

Show Tikz code 
print(fig)
\begin{tikzpicture}
    \begin{scope}[xshift=0.0cm, yshift=0.0cm]
            \begin{axis}[width=7.0cm, xlabel=Input Size, ylabel=Time (ms), grid=major, legend pos=north east]
                \addplot[marker=o, plot style=solid] coordinates {(10,5) (20,10) (30,15) (40,20) (50,25)};
                \addplot[marker=s, plot style=dashed] coordinates {(10,2) (20,3) (30,4) (40,5) (50,6)};
                \addplot[marker=^, plot style=dotted] coordinates {(10,1) (20,1.5) (30,2) (40,2.5) (50,3)};
                \legend{State 1, State 2, State 3}
            \end{axis}
    \end{scope}
    \begin{scope}[xshift=8.5cm, yshift=0.0cm]
            \node[shape=circle, fill=red!40, minimum size=12pt] (s1) at ({0.5}, {2}) {State 1};
            \node[shape=circle, fill=yellow!40, minimum size=12pt] (s2) at ({2}, {2}) {State 2};
            \node[shape=circle, fill=green!40, minimum size=12pt] (s3) at ({3.5}, {2}) {State 3};
            \draw[->] (s1) to (s2);
            \draw[->] (s2) to (s3);
            \draw[->, bend left=20] (s2) to (s1);
            \draw[->, bend left=-20] (s3) to (s1);
            \draw[->, color=blue, bend right=30] (s1) to (s1);
    \end{scope}
\end{tikzpicture}

Tips and Tricks

Section titled “Tips and Tricks”

Coordinate Systems: - Both axes and diagrams use their own coordinate systems - Axes: determined by data (x/y limits) - Diagrams: you control node positions directly (e.g., node(0, 2, ...) places at position (0, 2))

Dimensions: - Use height to control vertical space: subfigure(width=0.45, height=6) - Both axis and diagram subfigures respect width/height parameters

Styling: - Node fills: fill="cyan!40", fill="red!20", etc. - Shapes: "circle", "rectangle", "diamond", etc. - Path styling can use arrows.forward, arrows.both, styles.dashed, styles.thick, etc. - Bends: bend_left=20, bend_right=30 for curved paths

Mixing in Grids: - Call subfigure_axis() and subfigure() in any order - They auto-fill left-to-right, top-to-bottom - Both types render correctly in pgfplots groupplot environment