Free AI-Assisted
Figure Panel Layout Generator
Plan multi-panel figure layouts with Nature, Cell, Science, and PNAS millimeter presets—drag-resize panels, auto-label A/B/C, export PDF/PNG, no account. Built-in AI agent assistant support.
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Key facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Journal presets | Nature (89/128/183 mm), Cell (85/114/174 mm), Science (57/121/184 mm), PNAS (87/114/178 mm), Custom |
| Grid scaffold | 1–6 rows × 1–6 columns with outer margin (0–15 mm) and panel gutter (0–10 mm) |
| Layout tools | Drag-resize canvas, 3 mm snap guides, aspect locks (1:1, 4:3, 3:2, gel 1:2), scale bars, panel lock |
| Labels | Auto spatial A/B/C or 1/2/3; uppercase, lowercase, bold, parentheses, period; manual override |
| Panel types | Blot, bar chart (graph), micrograph, scatter, blank with publication color palette |
| Exports | PDF, Core Facility Brief PDF (shot list + legend scaffold), 300 DPI PNG/SVG, JSON template, TSV table |
| Runs in browser | Yes — pure client-side execution, no data uploaded |
| Account required | No — zero login or installation |
| AI assistant | Built-in; explains fields, validates input, interprets warnings, scaffolds via API |
What it does
Bench researchers often sketch multi-panel figures on paper or in PowerPoint, only to encounter manuscript rejection or tedious redesigns when panel dimensions violate journal column specifications or imaging facility crop ratios. Figure Panel Layout Generator is a zero-login browser workspace that converts journal width guidelines into an interactive millimeter canvas for planning multi-panel layouts before committing to graphic software.
Select a journal preset (Nature, Cell, Science, PNAS) or Custom dimensions, pick column width, set outer margin and panel gutter, and scaffold a row × column grid instantly. Drag-resize panels with 3 mm snap guides, lock aspect ratios (1:1, 4:3, 3:2, gel 1:2), and assign blot, bar chart, micrograph, scatter, or blank placeholders—including micrograph scale bar indicators.
The workspace formats panel labels (A/B/C or 1/2/3) with customizable styles and optional per-panel overrides. The three-column workspace provides journal controls, an interactive canvas, and a panel inspector with facility notes (100-char limit). Export standard PDFs, Core Facility Brief PDFs with shot list and legend scaffold, 300 DPI PNG/SVG, JSON templates, or copy Markdown shot lists for co-author emails.
Why researchers use it
- Prevent manuscript rejections by enforcing official journal column-width limits automatically
- Eliminate manual arithmetic when calculating panel dimensions and inter-panel millimeter gaps
- Provide imaging facility managers with precise crop aspect ratios and stain notes
- Speed up co-author review by sharing annotated PDF mockups during early drafting
- Maintain consistent panel labeling with dynamic auto-renumbering during drag repositioning
- Load pre-configured 2×3 Nature layouts to jumpstart multi-panel figure design
Best for
- Drafting multi-panel main figures for Nature, Cell, Science, or PNAS submissions
- Briefing core microscopy facility staff on required channel stains and image crop bounds
- Prototyping asymmetric multi-panel figure arrangements before running final data analysis
- Preparing figure layout proposals for thesis committee or lab group feedback
- Sizing Western blot, graph, and micrograph panels within strict column boundaries
When to use this vs alternatives
Use Figure Panel Layout Generator when you need a rapid, sketch-first tool to verify physical panel millimeter dimensions and export facility crop briefs before final figure production. Switch to heavy graphic suites like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape when vector line art, typography styling, and high-resolution raster image compositing are required. For mapping experimental logic and hypotheses rather than panel geometry, use the Hypothesis Canvas tool.
What makes it different
Traditional figure planning relies on PowerPoint slides, paper sketches, or heavy publication software that lack built-in journal column constraints, automated panel renumbering, or specialized core facility export templates. Figure Panel Layout Generator stays sketch-first: journal-accurate millimeter canvas sizes, drag-resize panels with 3 mm smart snapping, automatic A/B/C labeling, and facility-ready PDF exports without login, server storage, or plot generation complexity. Researchers switch from general presentation slides or complex graphic software because Figure Panel Layout Generator enforces journal millimeter column boundaries automatically while generating facility-ready briefing tables.
How to get started
- Select a journal preset (Nature, Cell, Science, PNAS, or Custom) and pick your target column width (1-column, 1.5-column, or 2-column).
- Enter your desired rows and columns in the grid controls, then click Scaffold grid (or click Load example to start from a 2×3 template).
- Drag panel edges on the millimeter canvas to adjust sizes, using 3 mm snap guides or toolbar buttons to align top, left, or equal distribution.
- Click any panel to open the Inspector, where you can assign panel type tags (Blot, Graph, Micrograph), lock aspect ratios, and add core facility acquisition notes.
- Click Export PDF, Export Core Facility Brief PDF, Export PNG, or Copy Table in the export bar to save your mockup or dimension data.
Frequently asked questions
What journal column widths are built into Figure Panel Layout Generator?
How does automatic panel labeling and renumbering work?
What is included in the Core Facility Brief PDF export?
What happens if my figure height exceeds journal limits?
Are my figure mockups and image specs stored on a server?
Can I use ChatGPT, Cursor, or another AI agent with Figure Panel Layout Generator?
Client source code & registry
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