Fullpage picture in two column layout

Question

I'd like to insert a picture (figure) into a document which is using a two-column layout. However, I want it to take one whole page and not be centered on one of the columns. Currently if I add a [p] modifier to the figure, the whole image lands on the last page, instead in the middle of the document.

How can I force one page to switch back to a single-column layout and insert a single big picture there?

Answer 1

Use the figure* environment. So instead of

\begin{figure}[ht] % I typically use ht \centering ... \end{figure} 

you should use

\begin{figure*}[ht] \centering ... \end{figure*} 

This also works for tables (i.e. table*). Hope this helps! Consider this link for more information