Python saving empty plot

Question

EDIT: This question is a duplicate. Original question's link is posted above.

I am using Python to plot a set of values which are showing good on the Python terminal (using Jupyter NoteBook) but when I save it, the saved file when opened shows an empty (completely white) photo. Here's my code:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
plt.plot([1,3,4])
plt.show()
plt.savefig('E:/1.png')

Reblochon Masque · Accepted Answer · 2018-07-06T06:05:02.303

13

You should save the plot before closing it: indeed, plt.show() dislays the plot, and blocks the execution until after you close it; hence when you attempt to save on the next instruction, the plot has been destroyed and can no longer be saved.

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
plt.plot([1,3,4])
plt.savefig('E:/1.png')   # <-- save first
plt.show()                # <-- then display

edited Jul 06 '18 at 06:05

answered Jul 06 '18 at 05:59

Reblochon Masque

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2

If you are working in jupyter notebook and don't use inline plots, then you should save the figure in the same cell. If you execute `savefig` in the next cell the execution is blocked. – Lisa B. Apr 27 '21 at 11:34
This is correct @LisaB. – Reblochon Masque Apr 27 '21 at 13:38

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 06 '18 at 06:00

4

When you execute the show, plt clears the graph. Just invert the execution of show and savefig:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
plt.plot([1,3,4])
plt.savefig('E:/1.png')
plt.show()

answered Jul 06 '18 at 06:00

Luca Cappelletti

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score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 06 '18 at 06:04

I think the plt.show() command is "using up" the plot object when you call it. Putting the plt.savefig() command before it should allow it to work.

Also, if you're using Jupyter notebooks you don't even need to use plt.show(), you just need %matplotlib inline somewhere in your notebook to have plots automatically get displayed.

Python saving empty plot

3 Answers3

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