How can I get matplotlib plots as emf or wmf files that are usable as vector graphics in MS Office (Word and PowerPoint)?
I've tried exporting to svg and converting to emf using both Inkscape and LibreOffice Draw, but both of those options seem to cause image quality loss resulting in raster images.
I've also tried exporting to pdf and converting to emf/wmf, but that has the same issue.
Here is my solution to create WMF and SVG. You can install Inkscape and use the following class, 'SaveAndClosePlot' creates SVG and then by using the Inkscape it converted to WMF. TestPlot function can be customized for your need.
import os
from pathlib import Path
from ConfigParserM import logging
import subprocess
from matplotlib import pyplot as plt
class SVG_WMF_Plot:
def __init__(self):
self.__folderNameGraph = 'Graphs'
self.__WMF_SVGSaving = True
self.__inkScapePath = "C://Program Files//inkscape//inkscape.exe"
self.__figureDPI = 500
def getRootDirectory(self):
try:
return Path(os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath('__file__')))
except Exception as e:
logging.exception(e)
raise
def getAddressTo(self, Main=None, FolderName=None, FileName=None, Extension=None):
try:
if Main is None:
Main = self.getRootDirectory()
if FolderName:
Path1 = Path(Main) / Path(FolderName)
else:
Path1 = Path(Main)
if not os.path.exists(Path1):
os.makedirs(Path1)
if FileName:
if Extension:
File_Address = Path1 / Path(FileName + "." + Extension)
else:
File_Address = Path1 / Path(FileName)
else:
File_Address = Path1
return File_Address
except Exception as e:
logging.exception(e)
raise
def TestPlot(self):
try:
fig, ax1 = plt.subplots()
x = [1, 2]
y = [1, 2]
F1 = 'test'
ax1.plot(x, y)
self.SaveAndClosePlot(folderName=self.__folderNameGraph, fileName=F1)
except Exception as e:
logging.exception(e)
raise
def SaveAndClosePlot(self, folderName, fileName):
try:
Address = self.getAddressTo(FolderName=self.__folderNameGraph + f"\{folderName}", FileName=fileName, Extension="jpg")
plt.savefig(Address, format='jpg', dpi=self.__figureDPI, bbox_inches='tight')
if self.__WMF_SVGSaving:
Address = self.getAddressTo(FolderName=self.__folderNameGraph + f"\{folderName}", FileName=fileName, Extension="svg")
plt.savefig(Address, format='svg', dpi=self.__figureDPI, bbox_inches='tight')
# add removing SVG if needed
AddressWMF = self.getAddressTo(FolderName=self.__folderNameGraph + f"\{folderName}", FileName=fileName, Extension="wmf")
subprocess.call([self.__inkScapePath, str(Address.resolve()), '--export-wmf', str(AddressWMF.resolve())])
plt.clf()
plt.close()
except Exception as e:
logging.exception(e)
raise
To save figures as .emf
file in matplotlib using Linux, try the following:
.svg
and then convert it to .emf
via an Inkscape subprocess call.
For example: import numpy as np
import subprocess
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
x = np.arange(2,50,step=2)
y = x**2
plt.plot(x,y)
plt.savefig('y_is_x^2.svg', format='svg', bbox_inches='tight')
subprocess.call('inkscape y_is_x^2.svg -M y_is_x^2.emf',shell=True)
You can then insert the .emf
figure as a picture in MS Word or PowerPoint. The quality is near .svg
. Be warned though, large .svg
files may not work.
If you love us? You can donate to us via Paypal or buy me a coffee so we can maintain and grow! Thank you!
Donate Us With