Matlabfigexporter 0.0.2

Export Matplotlib figures directly to editable native MATLAB .fig files using the MATLAB Engine API.

Matlabfigexporter

Export Matplotlib figures directly to editable native MATLAB .fig files using the MATLAB Engine API.

Overview

Matlabfigexporter is a lightweight Python package that allows you to export Matplotlib figures as native MATLAB .fig files.

Unlike PNG, SVG, PDF, or EPS exports, the generated .fig file remains fully editable in MATLAB. Titles, axes, legends, labels, and other plot elements can be modified using MATLAB's Figure Editor.

The package is designed for researchers, engineers, students, and scientists who work with both Python and MATLAB.

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Features

• Export Matplotlib figures directly to native MATLAB .fig
• Familiar Matplotlib-style API
• Editable figures in MATLAB
• Automatic detection of the MATLAB Engine
• Automatic MATLAB Engine installation attempt (if supported)
• Lightweight and easy to use
• Open source
• Windows support (tested)
• Tested with MATLAB R2026

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Installation

Install from PyPI:

pip install Matlabfigexporter

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Requirements

• Python 3.8+
• MATLAB installed
• MATLAB Engine for Python

If the MATLAB Engine is not available, Matlabfigexporter will attempt to install it automatically when first imported. If automatic installation is unsuccessful, a clear error message is displayed with instructions for manual installation.

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Quick Start

from Matlabfigexporter import plt

x = [1, 2, 3, 4]
y = [1, 4, 9, 16]

plt.figure(figsize=(6,4))
plt.plot(x, y, linewidth=2, label="y = x²")

plt.title("Example Figure")
plt.xlabel("X")
plt.ylabel("Y")
plt.legend()
plt.grid(True)

plt.savefig("example.fig")

Open the figure in MATLAB:

openfig("example.fig")

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Why use Matlabfigexporter?

Normally, Matplotlib exports figures as image or vector formats:

• PNG
• JPG
• SVG
• PDF
• EPS

These formats are not editable as MATLAB figures.

Matlabfigexporter creates a native MATLAB .fig that can be opened and modified just like figures created inside MATLAB.

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Typical Use Cases

• Scientific publications
• Engineering reports
• Signal processing
• Control systems
• Machine learning visualization
• Optical communication research
• Data analysis
• Academic research
• MATLAB/Python interoperability

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Example Workflow

Matplotlib
      │
      ▼
Matlabfigexporter
      │
      ▼
Native MATLAB .fig
      │
      ▼
Open & Edit in MATLAB

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Compatibility

Component	Status
Windows	✅ Tested
Linux	Planned
macOS	Planned
MATLAB R2026	✅ Tested

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Project Structure

Matlabfigexporter/
│
├── src/
├── examples/
├── tests/
├── README.md
├── LICENSE
└── pyproject.toml

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Roadmap

Planned improvements include:

• Linux support
• macOS support
• Additional Matplotlib artist support
• Improved compatibility with future MATLAB releases
• More examples and documentation
• Automated testing

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Contributing

Contributions, feature requests, and bug reports are welcome.

If you find a bug or have an idea for an improvement, please open an issue or submit a pull request.

GitHub Issues:

https://github.com/adityak1911/Matlabfigexporter/issues

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Citation

If this package is useful in your research, consider citing the GitHub repository or linking to the PyPI project.

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Author

Aditya Kumar

GitHub:

https://github.com/adityak1911/Matlabfigexporter

PyPI:

https://pypi.org/project/Matlabfigexporter/

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License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.

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Support

If you encounter any issues or have suggestions for new features, please open an issue on GitHub.

Feedback and contributions are always appreciated.