Create 2D Composition

Generate 2D graphics programmatically using SVG construction, diagram layout algorithms, image compositing, and batch processing workflows. Covers vector graphics generation, raster image manipulation, typography, and automated production of charts, diagrams, and infographics.

When to Use

• Generating diagrams, flowcharts, or infographics programmatically
• Creating reproducible scientific figures or publication graphics
• Automating production of badges, icons, or visual assets
• Compositing multiple images or data visualizations
• Building custom chart types not available in standard libraries
• Batch generating graphics with parameter variations
• Creating SVG templates for web or print applications

Inputs

Input	Type	Description	Example
Layout specification	Configuration	Dimensions, margins, grid layout	Canvas 800x600px, 20px margins
Visual elements	Data/Assets	Shapes, text, images, data points	Rectangle coordinates, labels, icons
Style parameters	CSS/Attributes	Colors, fonts, stroke widths, opacity	fill="#3366cc", stroke-width="2"
Data sources	Files/Arrays	Values to visualize or annotate	CSV data, JSON configuration
Output format	String	SVG, PNG, PDF, composite formats	output.svg, 300 DPI PNG

Procedure

1. Set Up Python Environment

Install required libraries for 2D composition:

# Core libraries
pip install svgwrite pillow cairosvg

# Optional: advanced features
pip install drawsvg reportlab pycairo

# For data-driven graphics
pip install matplotlib numpy pandas

Expected: Libraries installed successfully On failure: Check Python version (3.7+), use virtual environment to avoid conflicts

2. Create Basic SVG Graphics

Generate SVG using svgwrite:

import svgwrite
from svgwrite import cm, mm

def create_basic_svg(output_path):
    """Create a simple SVG graphic."""
    # Initialize drawing (use mm for precise dimensions)
    dwg = svgwrite.Drawing(output_path, size=('180mm', '120mm'), profile='full')

    # Add background rectangle
    dwg.add(dwg.rect(
        insert=(0, 0),
        size=('100%', '100%'),
        fill='white'
    ))

    # Add shapes
    dwg.add(dwg.circle(
        center=(90*mm, 60*mm),
        r=30*mm,
        fill='lightblue',
        stroke='navy',
        stroke_width=2
    ))

    dwg.add(dwg.rect(
        insert=(30*mm, 30*mm),
        size=(60*mm, 40*mm),
        fill='lightgreen',
        stroke='darkgreen',
        stroke_width=2,
        rx=5,  # Rounded corners
        ry=5
    ))

    # Add text
    dwg.add(dwg.text(
        'Example Graphic',
        insert=(90*mm, 20*mm),
        text_anchor='middle',
        font_size='18pt',
        font_family='Arial',
        fill='black'
    ))

    dwg.save()
    print(f"Saved: {output_path}")

Expected: SVG file generated with shapes and text On failure: Check svgwrite version, verify output directory writable

3. Build Diagrams with Layout Logic

Create structured diagrams with calculated positioning:

def create_flowchart(steps, output_path):
    """Generate a flowchart from list of steps."""
    dwg = svgwrite.Drawing(output_path, size=('800px', '600px'))

    # Layout parameters
    box_width = 120
    box_height = 60
    spacing_y = 100
    start_x = 340
    start_y = 50

    for i, step in enumerate(steps):
        y_pos = start_y + i * spacing_y

        # Draw box
        box = dwg.add(dwg.g(id=f'step_{i}'))

        box.add(dwg.rect(
            insert=(start_x, y_pos),
            size=(box_width, box_height),
            fill='lightblue',
            stroke='navy',
            stroke_width=2,
            rx=5,
            ry=5
        ))

        # Add text (wrapped if needed)
        text_lines = wrap_text(step, max_width=16)
        text_y = y_pos + box_height/2 - (len(text_lines)-1) * 7

        for j, line in enumerate(text_lines):
            box.add(dwg.text(
                line,
                insert=(start_x + box_width/2, text_y + j*14),
                text_anchor='middle',
                font_size='12pt',
                font_family='Arial',
                fill='black'
            ))

        # Draw arrow to next step
        if i < len(steps) - 1:
            arrow_start_y = y_pos + box_height
            arrow_end_y = y_pos + spacing_y

            dwg.add(dwg.line(
                start=(start_x + box_width/2, arrow_start_y),
                end=(start_x + box_width/2, arrow_end_y),
                stroke='black',
                stroke_width=2,
                marker_end=dwg.marker(
                    id='arrow',
                    viewBox='0 0 10 10',
                    refX=5,
                    refY=5,
                    markerWidth=6,
                    markerHeight=6,
                    orient='auto'
                )
            ))

    dwg.save()

def wrap_text(text, max_width=20):
    """Simple text wrapping."""
    words = text.split()
    lines = []
    current_line = []

    for word in words:
        test_line = ' '.join(current_line + [word])
        if len(test_line) <= max_width:
            current_line.append(word)
        else:
            if current_line:
                lines.append(' '.join(current_line))
            current_line = [word]

    if current_line:
        lines.append(' '.join(current_line))

    return lines

Expected: Flowchart with connected boxes and arrows On failure: Adjust layout calculations, verify arrow marker definitions. SVG <text> does NOT auto-wrap and overflowing text is NOT clipped or flagged as an error — it silently spills outside the shape boundary, so wrap it yourself with wrap_text before positioning

4. Composite Raster Images

Combine multiple images using Pillow.

See references/EXAMPLES.md for the full Pillow compositing example (grid, horizontal, and vertical layouts plus image annotation).

Expected: Composite image created with proper layout On failure: Check all input images exist, verify image modes compatible

5. Generate Data-Driven Graphics

Create visualizations from data:

import numpy as np

def create_bar_chart_svg(data, labels, output_path):
    """Generate SVG bar chart from data."""
    dwg = svgwrite.Drawing(output_path, size=('600px', '400px'))

    # Chart area
    margin = 50
    chart_width = 500
    chart_height = 300
    bar_spacing = 10

    # Calculate bar dimensions
    n_bars = len(data)
    bar_width = (chart_width - (n_bars - 1) * bar_spacing) / n_bars

    # Scale data to fit chart
    max_value = max(data)
    scale = chart_height / max_value

    # Draw axes
    dwg.add(dwg.line(
        start=(margin, margin),
        end=(margin, margin + chart_height),
        stroke='black',
        stroke_width=2
    ))
    dwg.add(dwg.line(
        start=(margin, margin + chart_height),
        end=(margin + chart_width, margin + chart_height),
        stroke='black',
        stroke_width=2
    ))

    # Draw bars
    for i, (value, label) in enumerate(zip(data, labels)):
        x = margin + i * (bar_width + bar_spacing)
        bar_height = value * scale
        y = margin + chart_height - bar_height

        # Bar
        dwg.add(dwg.rect(
            insert=(x, y),
            size=(bar_width, bar_height),
            fill='steelblue',
            stroke='navy',
            stroke_width=1
        ))

        # Value label
        dwg.add(dwg.text(
            f'{value:.1f}',
            insert=(x + bar_width/2, y - 5),
            text_anchor='middle',
            font_size='10pt',
            fill='black'
        ))

        # X-axis label
        dwg.add(dwg.text(
            label,
            insert=(x + bar_width/2, margin + chart_height + 20),
            text_anchor='middle',
            font_size='10pt',
            fill='black'
        ))

    dwg.save()

Expected: SVG bar chart with scaled data On failure: Handle edge cases (empty data, negative values), add validation

6. Batch Generate Graphics

Automate creation of multiple graphics:

def batch_generate_badges(users, template_path, output_dir):
    """Generate badge for each user."""
    os.makedirs(output_dir, exist_ok=True)

    for user in users:
        output_path = os.path.join(output_dir, f"{user['id']}_badge.svg")

        dwg = svgwrite.Drawing(output_path, size=('300px', '100px'))

        # Background
        dwg.add(dwg.rect(
            insert=(0, 0),
            size=('100%', '100%'),
            fill='#3366cc',
            rx=10,
            ry=10
        ))

        # User name
        dwg.add(dwg.text(
            user['name'],
            insert=(150, 40),
            text_anchor='middle',
            font_size='20pt',
            font_weight='bold',
            fill='white'
        ))

        # User role
        dwg.add(dwg.text(
            user['role'],
            insert=(150, 70),
            text_anchor='middle',
            font_size='14pt',
            fill='lightblue'
        ))

        dwg.save()
        print(f"Generated badge: {output_path}")

Expected: Individual graphic generated for each data item On failure: Check data structure, handle missing fields with defaults

7. Convert SVG to Raster

Export SVG to PNG/PDF for various uses:

import cairosvg

def svg_to_png(svg_path, png_path, dpi=300):
    """Convert SVG to PNG with specified DPI."""
    # Calculate pixel dimensions from DPI
    # Assuming A4 size as example
    width_inches = 8.27
    height_inches = 11.69

    width_px = int(width_inches * dpi)
    height_px = int(height_inches * dpi)

    cairosvg.svg2png(
        url=svg_path,
        write_to=png_path,
        output_width=width_px,
        output_height=height_px
    )
    print(f"Converted to PNG: {png_path}")

def svg_to_pdf(svg_path, pdf_path):
    """Convert SVG to PDF."""
    cairosvg.svg2pdf(url=svg_path, write_to=pdf_path)
    print(f"Converted to PDF: {pdf_path}")

Expected: Raster output generated at specified resolution On failure: Install cairo system library if missing, check SVG validity

Validation Checklist

• Graphics render correctly in target applications
• Text is readable and properly positioned
• Colors match specifications (check hex codes)
• Dimensions appropriate for use case
• SVG validates against standard (if required)
• Raster exports have correct DPI
• Layout adapts to data variations
• Batch processing completes without errors
• Output files organized logically
• Code includes error handling

Common Pitfalls

1. Unit confusion: SVG units (px, mm, cm) vs screen pixels vs print DPI
2. Font availability: System fonts may differ, embed or use web-safe fonts
3. Color format: SVG uses hex strings (#rrggbb), not tuples
4. Memory usage: Large batch operations may require chunking
5. Aspect ratio: Maintain proportions when resizing images
6. Transparency: PNG supports alpha, JPEG does not

Related Skills

• render-publication-graphic: Publication-specific output requirements
• create-3d-scene: Similar programmatic approach for 3D
• create-quarto-report: Integrating graphics into reports