Question

Looking at the matplotlib documentation, it seems the standard way to add an AxesSubplot to a Figure is to use Figure.add_subplot:

from matplotlib import pyplot

fig = pyplot.figure()
ax = fig.add_subplot(1,1,1)
ax.hist( some params .... )

I would like to be able to create AxesSubPlot-like objects independently of the figure, so I can use them in different figures. Something like

fig = pyplot.figure()
histoA = some_axes_subplot_maker.hist( some params ..... )
histoA = some_axes_subplot_maker.hist( some other params ..... )
# make one figure with both plots
fig.add_subaxes(histo1, 211)
fig.add_subaxes(histo1, 212)
fig2 = pyplot.figure()
# make a figure with the first plot only
fig2.add_subaxes(histo1, 111)

Is this possible in matplotlib and if so, how can I do this?

Update: I have not managed to decouple creation of Axes and Figures, but following examples in the answers below, can easily re-use previously created axes in new or olf Figure instances. This can be illustrated with a simple function:

def plot_axes(ax, fig=None, geometry=(1,1,1)):
    if fig is None:
        fig = plt.figure()
    if ax.get_geometry() != geometry :
        ax.change_geometry(*geometry)
    ax = fig.axes.append(ax)
    return fig

Answer 1

Typically, you just pass the axes instance to a function.

For example:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import numpy as np

def main():
    x = np.linspace(0, 6 * np.pi, 100)

    fig1, (ax1, ax2) = plt.subplots(nrows=2)
    plot(x, np.sin(x), ax1)
    plot(x, np.random.random(100), ax2)

    fig2 = plt.figure()
    plot(x, np.cos(x))

    plt.show()

def plot(x, y, ax=None):
    if ax is None:
        ax = plt.gca()
    line, = ax.plot(x, y, 'go')
    ax.set_ylabel('Yabba dabba do!')
    return line

if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()

To respond to your question, you could always do something like this:

def subplot(data, fig=None, index=111):
    if fig is None:
        fig = plt.figure()
    ax = fig.add_subplot(index)
    ax.plot(data)

Also, you can simply add an axes instance to another figure:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

fig1, ax = plt.subplots()
ax.plot(range(10))

fig2 = plt.figure()
fig2.axes.append(ax)

plt.show()

Resizing it to match other subplot “shapes” is also possible, but it’s going to quickly become more trouble than it’s worth. The approach of just passing around a figure or axes instance (or list of instances) is much simpler for complex cases, in my experience…