latex-illustrator

name	latex-illustrator
description	Skill for seamlessly integrating images into LaTeX documents. Handles graphicx package management, figure environments, captioning, labeling, and ensuring correct relative paths for assets generated by other skills (like r-plotter).

LaTeX Illustrator Skill

When to use this skill

ALWAYS use this skill when the user requests:

• To insert an image into a LaTeX document.
• To "orchestrate" or "integrate" visualizations generated by other tools (e.g., R, Python) into a report.
• To manage the figures or images directory structure in a LaTeX project.
• To fix LaTeX compilation errors related to images (undefined control sequence \includegraphics, file not found, etc.).

1. Prerequisites

Ensure the LaTeX document has the necessary packages. Check the preamble for:

\usepackage{graphicx}
\usepackage{float} % Optional, for [H] placement
\usepackage{subcaption} % Optional, for subfigures

If missing, add them.

2. Integration Protocol

1. Locate the Image:

   • Identify the path of the image to be inserted (e.g., images/plot.png).
   • Ensure the path is relative to the main .tex file being compiled.

2. Determine Placement:

   • Inline: For simple illustrations or minimal disruption.

     \begin{center}
         \includegraphics[width=0.8\textwidth]{images/plot.png}
     \end{center}
     

   • Floating Figure (Recommended for formal documents):

     \begin{figure}[H] % Use [h], [t], [b], or [H] (requires float package)
         \centering
         \includegraphics[width=0.7\textwidth]{images/plot.png}
         \caption{Description of the image \label{fig:unique_label}}
     \end{figure}
     

3. Coordination with r-plotter:

   • This skill "calls" r-plotter to generate the asset if it doesn't exist.
   • Once r-plotter confirms the file creation, latex-illustrator generates the LaTeX snippet.

4. Handling Multiple Visualizations:

   • For comparing multiple plots (e.g., alternatives), use a grid of subfigures.
   • Scaling: For a 2x2 grid, use width=0.4\textwidth for the subfigure. If the images are too large/tall, reduce to 0.3\textwidth or 0.22\textwidth per row.
   • Spacing: Use \hfill between subfigures in the same row and \vspace{1em} (or similar) between rows.

5. Verification:

   • Run pdflatex to ensure the image is found and rendered correctly.
   • Check the log for LaTeX Warning: File '...' not found.

3. Best Practices

• Relative Paths: Always use paths relative to the main .tex file.
• Scaling for Grids:
  • 2 images per row: 0.45\textwidth
  • 3 images per row: 0.3\textwidth
  • 4 images per row: 0.22\textwidth
• Avoid Overflows: If the solbox or environment has padding, reduce widths by an additional 5-10%.
• Captions: Use \caption* for unnumbered captions in solutions if preferred.

4. Example Workflow

1. User: "Put the graph of x^2 in the document."
2. Agent (r-plotter): Generates images/x_squared.png.
3. Agent (latex-illustrator): Inserts:

   \begin{figure}[h]
       \centering
       \includegraphics[width=0.6\textwidth]{images/x_squared.png}
       \caption{Graph of $f(x)=x^2$}
   \end{figure}
   

4. Agent: Compiles and verifies.