Inkscape Extension
Free
Matplotlib Figures Inside Inkscape
Generate matplotlib figures directly within Inkscape — write the plotting code, get an editable vector figure on your canvas, no export-import round trips.
View on GitHub →
Free and open source. Install instructions in the repository README.
Overview
Write matplotlib code in a dialog inside Inkscape and the rendered figure lands on your canvas as native SVG — every axis, label, and line editable. The export-to-PNG-and-reimport cycle that breaks figure workflows disappears.
Why it exists
Chart in code, annotate in vector — the two halves of publication figure-making finally share one canvas.
How to install
- Open the GitHub repository and follow the README — installation is the standard Inkscape route: copy the extension files into your Inkscape
extensionsfolder. - Restart Inkscape; the extension appears under Extensions in the menu.
- Check the README for dependencies (Python packages, API keys, or external binaries where applicable).
When NOT to use this
Requires a working Python environment that Inkscape can reach; complex figures with custom fonts may need a rerun after font tweaks.
Part of a family
This is one of nine open-source Inkscape extensions built by The Augmented Scholar to bring code, AI, and text-to-diagram workflows into vector editing. Browse the full set on the resources page.