Practical diagram guide
SVG, PNG, and publication review for pathway figures
Choose an export based on what you need to do next. SVG retains the template canvas shapes; PNG is a raster image. File format, image quality, scientific accuracy, and permission to publish are separate checks.
By PathwayFig · Reviewed
What the exports contain
| Output | Best for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Template canvas SVG | Scalable diagrams and further vector editing | Fonts, symbols, connectors, and compatibility in the destination editor |
| Template canvas PNG | Slides and documents that accept raster images | Pixel dimensions and legibility at the final display size |
| AI image draft | Exploring a visual layout | Original image dimensions, label errors, and scientific relationships; it is not an editable vector diagram |
PathwayFig does not promise layered PDF, EPS, or TIFF exports. A style preset does not certify compliance with a journal.
Does “300 DPI” guarantee a publication-ready figure?
No. Print resolution depends on the number of pixels and the printed size. The basic relationship is pixels = inches × pixels per inch. A 2,400-pixel-wide image placed at 8 inches has 300 pixels per inch; placing it at 12 inches has 200. Changing a resolution label alone does not add detail.
Check the target journal’s required dimensions, resolution, file type, color mode, and typography. Inspect the actual exported file instead of relying on a generic “high resolution” label.
Can an AI-generated diagram be submitted to a journal?
There is no universal permission. Publishers and journals distinguish explanatory diagrams, graphical abstracts, and research data images. A payment or export from PathwayFig does not guarantee acceptance, copyright ownership, or permission from a journal.
As reviewed on 24 September 2026, Elsevier’s official policy permits certain explanatory images with human verification and AI disclosure, but says general-purpose generative image tools must not create graphical abstracts. It also sets separate rules for research and data images. Check the exact journal instructions and your planned use.
Nature Portfolio’s current AI policy uses a risk-assessment framework emphasizing human accountability, verification, and transparency. This is not a blanket approval of PathwayFig or of every AI-generated image.
Before submitting to a particular title, consult the Nature Portfolio AI policy, Science journal editorial policies, or Cell journal policies as applicable. We could not independently retrieve the full current Science and Cell policy pages in our latest review, so we do not state that these journals allow PathwayFig output.
Keep a review record
- Record the supporting literature for each relationship and whether it is proposed or established.
- Save the original prompt, generation date, model information if available, and your changes.
- Verify labels and arrows manually; do not generate or replace experimental data with illustrative imagery.
- Check permissions for imported material, the service’s terms, and the journal’s current AI policy.
- Include the disclosures required by your journal and ask its editorial office when your intended use is unclear.
Policies can change. The links above are the authoritative starting points; this guide does not replace a journal’s instructions.