Save plot to image file instead of displaying it using Matplotlib

Question

I am writing a quick-and-dirty script to generate plots on the fly. I am using the code below (from Matplotlib documentation) as a starting point:

from pylab         


        

Answer 1

After using the plot() and other functions to create the content you want, you could use a clause like this to select between plotting to the screen or to file:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

fig = plt.figure(figsize=(4, 5))       # size in inches
# use plot(), etc. to create your plot.

# Pick one of the following lines to uncomment
# save_file = None
# save_file = os.path.join(your_directory, your_file_name)  

if save_file:
    plt.savefig(save_file)
    plt.close(fig)
else:
    plt.show()