Version Compatibility

Reference examples tested with: matplotlib 3.8+, numpy 1.26+, ggplot2 3.5+, ggrastr 1.0+, ragg 1.2+

Before using code patterns, verify installed versions match. If versions differ:

• Python: pip show matplotlib then help(matplotlib.figure.Figure.savefig); introspect matplotlib.rcParams if a key is renamed
• R: packageVersion('ggplot2') then ?ggsave

If code throws ImportError, AttributeError, or TypeError, introspect the installed package and adapt the example to match the actual API rather than retrying.

Publication-Ready Figure Export

"Export this figure for the journal" -> Save the plot so each part of it survives production: vector structure stays crisp, the dense data layer stays a reasonable file size, text stays editable, and color survives the print conversion.

• Python: fig.savefig('fig.pdf', dpi=600) with publication rcParams set
• R: ggsave('fig.pdf', width=89, units='mm', device=cairo_pdf)

The Load-Bearing Idea: A Figure Is Four Layers

A publication figure is not one object; it is four superimposed layers, and export means giving each the representation it needs: