Figures with large amounts of data don't export properly to .eps

Equivalent to this previous question (https://se.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/357368-figures-with-large-amounts-of-data-don-t-export-properly-to-eps) I have same issue still.

I don't view the accepted answer of combining a png export with the axis as a solution, it's rather a work-around.

EDIT: MWE for the issue.

clear

N_signals = 21;
N_datapoints = 5000;

A = rand(N_signals,N_datapoints)*2-1;
A = diag(fliplr(1:N_signals)) * A;
t = linspace(0,1,N_datapoints);

figure(1)
clf
plot(t,A)

print('eps_bug', '-depsc')

This code produces a rasterized and compressed image to eps_bug.eps when N_signals = 21, but a nice vectorized image when N_signals = 20 for me.

I have attached 2 pngs showing excerpts of the eps files in SumatraPDF. Also, the file sizes produced by the two variations differ wildly. The N_signals = 20 is 1.7 MB, while N_signals = 21 is 0.3 MB.

END EDIT

Do the people of MATLAB have a solution for this, i.e. a bug fix?

My matlab version:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MATLAB Version: 9.2.0.538062 (R2017a)
MATLAB License Number: xxxxxxxx
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro N Version 10.0 (Build 17134)
Java Version: Java 1.7.0_60-b19 with Oracle Corporation Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM mixed mode
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MATLAB                                                Version 9.2         (R2017a) 

[Jan]

It would be very useful if you provide some code or input data, which reproduces the problem. Without this, the readers have to guess and cannot perform own experiments. The cited thread suffered from the same lack of details.

[Glenn Bitar]

I have edited the original question with a MWE and some files showing the difference.

[ks905383]

I have this problem from time to time as well (as right now) - and every time I forget how to solve it; though given how randomly it shows up, sometimes I feel that it may just randomly dissappear again as well... This mainly happens for me when exporting gridded plots/maps (using pcolorm fo example), and results in 3-4GB plots that crash MATLAB when exporting.

This doesn't happen all the time - in fact, most of the figures I print have similar characteristics - and I have no idea what's going on.

Answer 1

[Bjorn Gustavsson]

The solution to avoid this arbitrary choise of output renderer is to explicitly select painters:

print('-depsc2','-painters',filename)

It is a bit of a mystery as to why matlab selects to use opengl or zbuffer, but in my experience it

works when one explicitly selects "painters" - provided the graph doesn't contain too complicated

3-D structures that confuses the painter.

HTH

[ks905383]

funnily enough, for me the problem actually only appears when I use the painters renderer...

Unfortunately, I need the painters renderer to avoid that other MATLAB .eps exporting problem where the images aren't saved as vector graphics, but as tiled, poor-quality raster graphics (and are therefore useless)

[Bjorn Gustavsson]

That's "interesting" - I haven't had that problem, yet. I'll cling to my solution and hope I don't get your problem, and hope you refind the solution you've used before...

[Glenn Bitar]

I'm on R2018b now, and was able to reproduce the bug with the MWE provided in the original post. Using your solution fixes the problem for me in that case (with 20 vs 21 signals). Thank you very much.

MWE amended with your solution for future reference:

clear
N_signals = 21;
N_datapoints = 5000;
A = rand(N_signals,N_datapoints)*2-1;
A = diag(fliplr(1:N_signals)) * A;
t = linspace(0,1,N_datapoints);
figure(1)
clf
plot(t,A)
print('eps_bug', '-depsc', '-painters')

[Lingxiao Qin]

I am using MATLAB R2023b and encountered the same issue when exporting a high-quality figure with many data points to a PDF file. This solution worked for me as well. However, I find it strange that specifying the 'painters' renderer via File → Export Setup → Rendering does not achieve the same effect.

[Victor]

Thanks this saved me, and can confirm that on 2024b File → Export Setup → Rendering does not achieve the same effect.