matplotlib - Python saving multiple figures into one PDF file

Question

In python (for one figure created in a GUI) I was able to save the figure under .jpg and also .pdf by either using:

plt.savefig(filename1 +  '.pdf')

or

plt.savefig(filename1 +  '.jpg')

Using one file I would like to save multiple figures in either .pdf or .jpg (just like its done in math lab). Can anybody please help with this?

Answer 1

Use PdfPages to solve your problem. Pass your figure object to the savefig method.

For example, if you have a whole pile of figure objects open and you want to save them into a multi-page PDF, you might do:

import matplotlib.backends.backend_pdf
pdf = matplotlib.backends.backend_pdf.PdfPages("output.pdf")
for fig in xrange(1, figure().number): ## will open an empty extra figure :(
    pdf.savefig( fig )
pdf.close()