FigRay DocsPrompting Guide
Write prompts that help FigRay produce clearer scientific figures.
What Makes a Good Prompt
A good prompt tells FigRay what the figure should explain, how it should be arranged, which labels matter, and where the figure will be used. Clear prompts usually work better than long prompts.
Prompt Formula
Create a [figure type] about [scientific topic].
Show [main stages, objects, or relationships].
Use [layout and flow direction].
Include labels: [required labels].
Style: [visual style].
Use case: [paper, slide, grant, poster, protocol].
Avoid: [unwanted details].What to Include
| Prompt part | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Figure type | Sets the expected format: abstract, mechanism, workflow, comparison. |
| Scientific topic | Anchors the content and domain. |
| Layout | Reduces random composition and makes the figure easier to revise. |
| Required labels | Improves text control and makes review easier. |
| Style | Keeps the output aligned with papers, slides, posters, or teaching material. |
| Avoid list | Prevents clutter, decorative elements, or unwanted visual choices. |
Examples
Create a graphical abstract showing how extracellular vesicles influence tumor
immunity. Use four left-to-right stages: vesicle release, cargo transport,
immune cell uptake, and therapeutic response. Use short labels, a white
background, and a clean biomedical illustration style.Create a mechanism diagram of CRISPR base editing inside a cell nucleus. Use
three panels: guide RNA targeting, base conversion, repaired DNA product. Label
Cas protein, guide RNA, target base, edited base, and DNA strand.Create a vertical workflow schematic for single-cell RNA-seq sample preparation.
Use six numbered steps: tissue dissociation, filtering, viability check, droplet
capture, library preparation, sequencing. Keep the icons simple and consistent.Better Follow-Up Prompts
After a first draft, ask for targeted changes:
| Weak request | Better request |
|---|---|
| "Make it better." | "Simplify the background and make the three stages easier to distinguish." |
| "Fix the text." | "Replace 'T cell activation' with 'T cell priming'." |
| "Change the style." | "Make the figure flatter, cleaner, and suitable for a review article." |
| "Fix this area." | "Redraw the selected receptor as a clean membrane receptor icon." |
Tips
- Keep labels short.
- Specify the flow direction.
- Say which elements are required.
- Use references when layout matters.
- Revise in small steps instead of asking for every change at once.