figure_format
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Axis
figure_formaton sub-layerL7_B_output_shape_export(layerl7).
Sub-layer
L7_B_output_shape_export
Axis metadata
Default:
'pdf'Sweepable: False
Status: operational
Operational status summary
Operational: 3 option(s)
Future: 0 option(s)
Options
pdf – operational
Vector PDF figures (matplotlib backend).
Vector graphics that scale without pixelation. Recommended for paper figures where journals require sub-pixel-precise typography. File sizes larger than PNG but renderable at any zoom level.
When to use
Publication-grade plots; LaTeX-rendered figures.
When NOT to use
Web embedding – prefer PNG or SVG.
References
macroforecast design Part 3, L7: ‘every importance op produces (table, figure) pairs; the L7.B sub-layer governs export shape.’
Last reviewed 2026-05-05 by macroforecast author.
png – operational
Raster PNG figures (matplotlib AGG backend).
300dpi-by-default raster images. Smaller than PDF for plot-heavy reports; the natural choice for slides, HTML embeddings, and Markdown documents that render through GitHub / Slack / web viewers.
When to use
Slide / web embedding where vector formats are unnecessary.
References
macroforecast design Part 3, L7: ‘every importance op produces (table, figure) pairs; the L7.B sub-layer governs export shape.’
Last reviewed 2026-05-05 by macroforecast author.
svg – operational
Vector SVG figures (matplotlib SVG backend).
XML-based vector format renderable in browsers. Selectable text and zoom-without-pixelation; useful when the consumer wants to interactively inspect / edit the figure (e.g. via Inkscape) before final publication.
When to use
Web embedding with selectable text; pre-publication editable figures.
References
macroforecast design Part 3, L7: ‘every importance op produces (table, figure) pairs; the L7.B sub-layer governs export shape.’
Last reviewed 2026-05-05 by macroforecast author.