Show HN: SciFigureAI – AI figure maker for research papers

AI scientific figure maker

AI Scientific Figure Maker for Research Papers

Use this AI scientific figure maker to turn your research idea, paper abstract, or mechanism description into clean figure drafts for papers, posters, grants, and slides.

Describe the scientific figure you need

Estimated 5 credits

Your first draft appears here

Start from the prompt, then continue detailed edits in the workspace.

Text to FigureSketch to FigureEdit ImagePPTX / SVG Export

Product walkthrough

AI scientific figure maker workflow from prompt to export

See the workflow from text input to generated figure draft, with the same workspace ready for revisions and SVG or PPTX export.

1Text prompt

2Figure draft

3Refine & export

Create Your First Figure

Text-to-figure workflow

8 sec product preview

Core capabilities

Create scientific figure drafts from the inputs you already have

Start from text, a rough sketch, or an existing image, then keep refining the result inside the same project.

Text to Figure

Prompt to draft

Describe a mechanism, workflow, or research concept and generate a clean first draft.

Text to Figure

Sketch to Figure

Sketch input

Upload a rough sketch and turn the structure into a more complete scientific visual.

Sketch to Figure

Edit Image

Iterative edit

Bring in a generated or uploaded image, then revise composition and details with follow-up instructions.

Edit Image

PPTX / SVG Export

Export ready

Download previews for free, or use credits to export files for slides and later editing.

PPTX / SVG Export

How it works

From research idea to usable visual draft

SciFigureAI is built for fast visual exploration first, followed by researcher review and refinement.

Describe

Paste an abstract, mechanism, workflow, or visual direction.

Generate

Create a figure draft in the project workspace and keep the result in context.

Edit

Use follow-up prompts or uploaded references to revise the selected image.

Export

Use the result in presentations, manuscripts, and review workflows.

Inspiration

Scientific Figure Inspiration examples generated with SciFigureAI

Browse draft-ready scientific figure examples across mechanism diagrams, graphical abstracts, workflows, and research visuals. Copy a prompt, keep the useful structure, and adapt the content to your project.

Graphical abstract example showing nanoparticle delivery

Lipid nanoparticles delivering mRNA into immune cells with antigen expression...

Create a clean graphical abstract showing lipid nanoparticles delivering mRNA into immune cells and triggering antigen expression. Use a white background, simple arrows, minimal embedded text, and a polished research-paper visual style.

Mechanism diagram example for tumor immune response

CAR-T cells recognizing tumor cells and activating immune killing...

Create a mechanism diagram showing CAR-T cells recognizing tumor cells, binding through engineered receptors, releasing cytotoxic molecules, and reducing tumor burden. Keep labels concise and arrange the process left to right.

Protocol workflow example for organoid experiment

Stepwise organoid culture workflow from sample collection to imaging...

Create a protocol workflow figure for organoid culture: tissue sample collection, cell isolation, matrix embedding, growth factor treatment, maturation, staining, and microscopy imaging. Use numbered stages and clean lab iconography.

Materials science figure showing crystal lattice

Crystal lattice and metallic nanostructure with annotated features...

Create a materials science figure showing a crystal lattice and metallic nanostructure, with annotated grain boundaries, lattice planes, and nanoscale features. Use a clean academic style suitable for a research presentation.

Chemistry reaction mechanism scientific figure

Organic reaction pathway with electron movement and intermediate states...

Create an organic chemistry reaction mechanism figure showing reactants, key intermediates, electron movement arrows, transition states, and final product formation. Keep the figure readable with minimal decorative elements.

Scientific concept figure for quantum wave particle duality

Electron wave-particle duality through a double-slit experiment...

Create a scientific concept visualization of quantum wave-particle duality, showing an electron passing through a double-slit setup, wave interference, and detection points on a screen. Keep the layout educational and uncluttered.

Mechanism diagram example for synaptic plasticity signaling

Synaptic plasticity signaling with neurotransmitter release and receptor trafficking...

Create a neuroscience mechanism diagram showing synaptic plasticity signaling: presynaptic neurotransmitter release, postsynaptic calcium influx, CaMKII activation, AMPA receptor trafficking, and synaptic strengthening. Use a white background, concise labels, clear arrows, and a polished research-paper style.

Data workflow example for single-cell genomics atlas generation

Single-cell genomics workflow from tissue sample to annotated cell-type atlas...

Create a single-cell genomics data workflow figure showing tissue sampling, single-cell capture, sequencing, clustering, gene expression summaries, and an annotated cell-type atlas. Use clean arrows, readable labels, and a publication-ready visual style.

Graphical abstract example for microbiome host metabolism

Gut microbiota metabolites influencing epithelial barrier, immune cells, and liver metabolism...

Create a microbiome graphical abstract showing gut microbiota producing short-chain fatty acids that influence the epithelial barrier, immune modulation, and liver metabolism. Keep the layout clean with white background, simple arrows, concise labels, and scientific illustration quality.

Protocol workflow example for clinical imaging diagnosis pipeline

Clinical imaging workflow from scan acquisition to segmentation, diagnosis, and treatment planning...

Create a clinical imaging diagnosis workflow showing scan acquisition, segmentation, AI-assisted analysis, diagnosis support, and treatment planning. Use five large panels, minimal labels, clear arrows, and a clean medical research figure style.

Concept figure example for carbon cycle ecosystem model

Carbon cycle ecosystem model connecting photosynthesis, soil carbon, respiration, and ocean uptake...

Create an ecology concept figure showing the carbon cycle across forest, soil, atmosphere, ocean, and human emissions. Include photosynthesis, soil carbon, microbial respiration, atmospheric CO2, ocean uptake, and emissions with clear arrows and readable labels.

Data workflow example for AI-assisted research figure generation

AI-assisted research data workflow from data cleaning to model interpretation and figure review...

Create an AI-assisted research data workflow showing data input, preprocessing, model training, interpretation, generated figure draft, and researcher review. Use a sparse left-to-right layout with large panels, simple labels, and polished scientific data visualization style.

View all inspiration

Reliable, secure, and collaborative

User value

Move from research idea to review-ready figure drafts without design overhead.

Faster figure drafting

Turn abstracts, mechanisms, and rough prompts into a first visual draft quickly, then iterate from the same project.

Lower design overhead

Reduce blank-canvas layout work, repeated illustration cycles, and dependence on specialist design tools.

Reviewer-friendly clarity

Create cleaner scientific compositions with readable labels, clear hierarchy, and manuscript-minded structure.

Zero learning curve

Start from natural language, sketches, or existing images instead of learning a full design workflow first.

End-to-end workflow

Generate, edit, preview, and export PPTX or SVG files from one focused scientific figure workspace.

Multiple visual styles

Explore schematic, 3D, photorealistic, workflow, mechanism, and graphical abstract directions.

User feedback

Loved by researchers turning ideas into figure drafts

Selected excerpts from researchers using SciFigureAI across publication, teaching, review, and presentation workflows.

“SciFigureAI has revolutionized my lab's publication workflow. Complex figures that used to take days are now generated in high-quality drafts within minutes, significantly boosting our research output. Its intelligent data interpretation and automated layout optimization have consistently earned high praise from journal reviewers.”

DE

Dr. Emily White

Professor of Biochemistry, Stanford University

“As a theoretical physicist, I frequently need to illustrate abstract concepts and complex data visualizations. SciFigureAI not only accurately renders intricate physical phenomena but also seamlessly adapts to the stringent formatting requirements of top journals like Nature Physics, streamlining my submission process.”

PD

Prof. David Chen

Associate Professor of Physics, MIT

“The sketch-to-figure feature in SciFigureAI is an absolute game-changer! I can simply sketch a rough experimental setup, and the AI transforms it into a professional, aesthetically pleasing scientific illustration. This saves me immense time, allowing me to focus more on the core research.”

DS

Dr. Sarah Miller

Senior Research Fellow, University of Oxford

“Preparing figures for my dissertation used to be a nightmare. With SciFigureAI, I just import my data, and it automatically generates publication-ready charts that adhere to academic standards. The SVG export option is fantastic for fine-tuning in Illustrator. Zero design skills, professional results!”

DA

Dr. Alex Rodriguez

PhD Candidate, Harvard Medical School

“Our department handles numerous medical research projects, demanding a high volume of precise medical illustrations. SciFigureAI empowers our clinicians and researchers to rapidly produce high-quality diagrams, dramatically improving efficiency and cutting down on external illustration costs.”

PJ

Prof. Jessica Lee

Head of Research, Johns Hopkins Medicine

“SciFigureAI has revolutionized my lab's publication workflow. Complex figures that used to take days are now generated in high-quality drafts within minutes, significantly boosting our research output. Its intelligent data interpretation and automated layout optimization have consistently earned high praise from journal reviewers.”

DE

Dr. Emily White

Professor of Biochemistry, Stanford University

“As a theoretical physicist, I frequently need to illustrate abstract concepts and complex data visualizations. SciFigureAI not only accurately renders intricate physical phenomena but also seamlessly adapts to the stringent formatting requirements of top journals like Nature Physics, streamlining my submission process.”

PD

Prof. David Chen

Associate Professor of Physics, MIT

“The sketch-to-figure feature in SciFigureAI is an absolute game-changer! I can simply sketch a rough experimental setup, and the AI transforms it into a professional, aesthetically pleasing scientific illustration. This saves me immense time, allowing me to focus more on the core research.”

DS

Dr. Sarah Miller

Senior Research Fellow, University of Oxford

“Preparing figures for my dissertation used to be a nightmare. With SciFigureAI, I just import my data, and it automatically generates publication-ready charts that adhere to academic standards. The SVG export option is fantastic for fine-tuning in Illustrator. Zero design skills, professional results!”

DA

Dr. Alex Rodriguez

PhD Candidate, Harvard Medical School

“Our department handles numerous medical research projects, demanding a high volume of precise medical illustrations. SciFigureAI empowers our clinicians and researchers to rapidly produce high-quality diagrams, dramatically improving efficiency and cutting down on external illustration costs.”

PJ

Prof. Jessica Lee

Head of Research, Johns Hopkins Medicine

“SciFigure

[truncated for AI cost control]