Py2Tikz 0.0.1

A Python library for generating LaTeX pgfplots/tikz code.

LatexPlotGenerator

Author: Patrik Dennis Version: v0.0.1

Overview

LatexPlotGenerator is a utility class for generating LaTeX code to create publication-ready plots. It automatically creates:

1. A filecontents* environment block containing the table data (space-delimited).
2. A tikzpicture environment with an axis block and one or more \addplot[...] commands.

The end result is a self-contained LaTeX snippet that you can include in your document by simply uploading the .tex file in for instance Overleaf and then writing \input{filename.text}.

Key Features

• Data input: Accepts pandas.DataFrame, Python dict, numpy.ndarray, or a list-of-lists.
• Configurable axis options: Title, labels, legend position, grid, figure size, axis limits, etc.
• Multiple plot lines: Each plot line can have its own legend entry and styling options.
• Easy customization: Additional TikZ or pgfplots options can be passed as keyword arguments.

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Installation

1. Ensure Python 3.x is installed.
2. Install the necessary Python libraries if they are not already available:

   pip install numpy pandas
   

3. Place pytikz.py in your project directory (or install it as part of your Python environment).

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Basic Usage

from pytikz import LatexPlotGenerator
import pandas as pd

# 1. Prepare your data (e.g., as a pandas DataFrame)
data = pd.DataFrame({
    "x": [0, 1, 2, 3, 4],
    "y": [0, 1, 4, 9, 16],
    "z": [0, 2, 3, 6, 10]
})

# 2. Create an instance of LatexPlotGenerator
generator = LatexPlotGenerator(
    data=data,
    data_filename="mydata.dat",
    latex_filename="myfigure.tex",
)

# 3. Configure the axis
generator.set_title("My Awesome Plot")
generator.set_labels("X-axis", "Y-axis")
generator.set_legend("north east")
generator.set_grid("grid", "major")
generator.set_figsize("8cm", "6cm")

# 4. Add one or more plot lines
generator.add_plot_line(table_x="x", table_y="y", legend="Quadratic", mark="o")
generator.add_plot_line(table_x="x", table_y="z", legend="Random Values", mark="*", color="red", thick=True)

# 5. (Optional) Adjust axis limits
generator.set_xmin(0)
generator.set_xmax(5)
generator.set_ymin(0)
generator.set_ymax(20)

# 6. Generate and save the LaTeX code
generator.save()

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Constructor

LatexPlotGenerator(
    data,
    data_filename,
    latex_filename,
    header=None
)

Parameters

• data: pd.DataFrame | dict | np.ndarray | list of lists
• data_filename: str
• latex_filename: str
• header: list of str (required for array or list-of-lists)

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Methods

set_title(title)

Sets the plot’s title.

set_labels(xlabel, ylabel)

Sets axis labels.

set_legend(legend_pos)

Sets legend position.

set_grid(option, value)

Sets grid options.

set_figsize(width, height)

Sets figure width and height.

set_xmin(xmin), set_xmax(xmax), set_ymin(ymin), set_ymax(ymax)

Set axis limits.

add_plot_line(table_x, table_y, legend, comment="", **line_options)

Adds a line to the plot.

generate_data_block()

Returns the LaTeX filecontents* block.

generate_tikz_picture()

Returns the tikzpicture block.

generate_latex_code()

Returns the full LaTeX code.

save()

Writes the LaTeX code to file.

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Data Requirements

• DataFrame: uses columns as headers.
• dict: keys are headers, values are columns.
• array/list-of-lists: must provide header.

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Example LaTeX Output

\begin{filecontents*}{mydata.dat}
x y
0 0
1 1
2 4
3 9
4 16
\end{filecontents*}

\begin{figure}[H]
\centering
\begin{tikzpicture}
\centering
  \begin{axis}[
      title={My Awesome Plot},
      xlabel={X-axis},
      ylabel={Y-axis},
      legend pos=north east,
      grid=major,
      width=8cm,
      height=6cm,
      xmin=0,
      xmax=5,
      ymin=0,
      ymax=20,
    ]
    \addplot[mark=o] table [x=x, y=y, col sep=space]{mydata.dat};
    \addlegendentry{Quadratic};

  \end{axis}
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{figure}

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Contributing

1. Fork the repository.
2. Create a new branch.
3. Test your changes.
4. Submit a pull request.

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Happy plotting!