What is text to figure?

Text to figure is LabFig's mode for generating a scientific figure from a plain-language description. You describe the concept — a pathway, workflow, or model — and the text to figure engine produces a clean, publication-ready scientific figure with the panels, labels, and arrows already arranged. For the bigger picture, read our primer on what AI for scientific figures is .

How do I write a good text to figure prompt?

Name the key components and how they connect, then add the figure type and any style preference — e.g. 'a left-to-right workflow', 'a catalytic cycle', or 'Nature style'. A few clear sentences give text to figure the most to work with; you can refine the scientific figure on the canvas, so you don't need to specify every detail up front. The starter prompts above are good templates.

Can it draw chemical structures, equations, or molecular formulas correctly?

It handles schematic-level chemistry well — reaction cycles, pathways, labeled mechanisms — and renders common notation cleanly. For exact structures or precise equations, generate the layout first and fine-tune the specific labels and symbols on the Vector Canvas before export.

What if the first draft is wrong — can I iterate?

Yes. Edit the prompt and regenerate, or keep the draft and refine it on the vector canvas : move panels, rewrite labels, recolor, or select a single region and regenerate just that part with a new instruction. You can also upscale and polish the figure before export, or start from a PDF with PDF to figure .

Which disciplines does text to figure support?

Text to figure works across biology, chemistry, materials, medicine, physics, and machine learning, among others — anywhere a concept can be described in words and shown as a scientific figure of a pathway, workflow, model, or apparatus diagram.

How many credits does one generation cost?

Text-to-image generations use a small number of credits each, and new researchers get free credits to start. See the pricing page for current credit costs and plans.