# Codex Visio Paper Figure Skill > Convert paper figures and AI-generated diagrams into editable Microsoft Visio (.vsdx) files with native shapes, text, and connectors, then export to SVG/PDF/PNG/PPTX - Skill: `aradotso/codex-visio-paper-figure-skill` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add aradotso/codex-visio-paper-figure-skill` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/aradotso/codex-visio-paper-figure-skill/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Docs & Writing - Author: aradotso (https://skillmd.com/u/aradotso) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/aradotso/codex-visio-paper-figure-skill --- # Codex Visio Paper Figure Skill > Skill by [ara.so](https://ara.so) — Codex Skills collection. ## Overview The **Codex Visio Paper Figure Skill** transforms reference images (screenshots, AI-generated diagrams, paper figures) into **editable Microsoft Visio `.vsdx` files** composed of native shapes, text boxes, connectors, and groups. It's designed for academic paper workflows where you need to: - Rebuild model architecture diagrams, flowcharts, and multi-panel scientific figures - Replace embedded images with true vector graphics - Maintain consistent styling across paper figures - Export the same source `.vsdx` to PNG, SVG, PDF, and PPTX **Core principle**: The final `.vsdx` must use Visio native primitives (rectangles, circles, lines, text), NOT just embed the original reference image as a background. ## Installation Clone this skill repository into your Codex skills directory: ```powershell # Windows git clone https://github.com/pengjunchi0/codex-visio-paper-figure-skill.git "$env:USERPROFILE\.codex\skills\codex-visio-paper-figure-skill" ``` Restart Codex or start a new session to load the skill. ## Requirements - **Windows** (Visio COM automation requires Windows) - **Microsoft Visio** (for full drawing automation) - **PowerShell** (for scripting) - **Microsoft PowerPoint** (optional, for PPTX export) - **Codex Desktop** or any Codex environment with local file access ## Key Scripts ### 1. `visio_rebuild_scaffold.ps1` Main scaffolding script for rebuilding diagrams with native Visio shapes. **Parameters:** - `-VsdxPath` - Output `.vsdx` file path - `-PageW`, `-PageH` - Visio page dimensions (inches) - `-RefW`, `-RefH` - Reference image pixel dimensions - `-PreviewPath` - Path to save PNG preview - `-ExportFormats` - Comma-separated: `png`, `svg`, `pdf`, `pptx` - `-OutputDir` - Directory for exported files **Basic usage:** ```powershell powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File scripts\visio_rebuild_scaffold.ps1 ` -VsdxPath "C:\work\model.vsdx" ` -PageW 16 ` -PageH 9 ` -RefW 1600 ` -RefH 900 ` -PreviewPath "C:\work\preview.png" ` -ExportFormats svg,pdf,pptx ` -OutputDir "C:\work\exports" ``` ### 2. `visio_page_tools.ps1` Utility for exporting existing `.vsdx` files and inspecting package structure. **Parameters:** - `-VsdxPath` - Input `.vsdx` file - `-ExportFormats` - Formats to export - `-OutputDir` - Export destination - `-OutputBaseName` - Base name for exported files - `-InspectPackage` - Check for embedded images (validation) **Example:** ```powershell powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File scripts\visio_page_tools.ps1 ` -VsdxPath "C:\work\diagram.vsdx" ` -ExportFormats svg,pdf,pptx ` -OutputDir "C:\work\exports" ` -InspectPackage ``` ### 3. `visio_export_formats.ps1` Reusable export functions (PNG, SVG, PDF, PPTX). Sourced by other scripts. ## Core Drawing Functions The scaffold provides coordinate mapping helpers to prevent panel overlap in complex multi-panel figures: ### Global Coordinate Mapping ```powershell # Convert reference image pixel coordinates to Visio page inches $x_inch = Ref2Page $x_pixel "x" $y_inch = Ref2Page $y_pixel "y" ``` ### Panel-Local Coordinates (v1.1.1+) For complex diagrams with multiple panels, define panel boundaries and use relative coordinates: ```powershell # Define panel A boundaries (in reference pixel coordinates) $panelA = @{ X0=50; Y0=50; X1=750; Y1=450 } # Draw rectangle at 10% from panel left, 20% from top, 30% wide, 25% tall RectRel -Panel $panelA -RelX 0.1 -RelY 0.2 -RelW 0.3 -RelH 0.25 ` -Fill "rgb(200,220,240)" -Line "rgb(80,100,120)" -LineW 1.5 ` -Label "Module A" # Draw text at relative position within panel TextRel -Panel $panelA -RelX 0.5 -RelY 0.1 ` -Text "Panel A Title" -FontSize 16 -Bold # Draw oval OvalRel -Panel $panelA -RelCX 0.5 -RelCY 0.8 -RelW 0.2 -RelH 0.1 ` -Fill "rgb(255,200,200)" # Draw line within panel LineRel -Panel $panelA -RelX1 0.3 -RelY1 0.5 -RelX2 0.7 -RelY2 0.5 ` -Arrow "End" -LineW 2 ``` ### Validation Helpers ```powershell # Assert a bounding box stays within panel Assert-RelBox -Panel $panelA -RelX 0.1 -RelY 0.2 -RelW 0.3 -RelH 0.25 ` -ElementName "Module A" # Assert a point stays within panel Assert-RelPoint -Panel $panelA -RelX 0.5 -RelY 0.9 -PointName "Label" ``` These helpers throw errors if elements exceed panel boundaries, preventing overlap and misalignment. ## Real-World Example: Multi-Panel Architecture Diagram Suppose you have a 1600×900px reference image with three panels: ```powershell # scripts/rebuild_architecture.ps1 param( [string]$VsdxPath = "C:\papers\architecture.vsdx", [string]$OutputDir = "C:\papers\exports" ) # Dimensions $pageW = 16 $pageH = 9 $refW = 1600 $refH = 900 # Define panels (in reference pixel coordinates) $panelA = @{ X0=50; Y0=50; X1=750; Y1=450 } # Input Processing $panelB = @{ X0=800; Y0=50; X1=1550; Y1=450 } # Model Architecture $panelC = @{ X0=50; Y0=500; X1=1550; Y1=850 } # Output & Metrics # Start Visio $visio = New-Object -ComObject Visio.Application $visio.Visible = $true $docs = $visio.Documents $doc = $docs.Add("") $page = $doc.Pages.Item(1) $page.PageSheet.CellsSRC(1,1,0).FormulaU = "$pageW in" $page.PageSheet.CellsSRC(1,1,1).FormulaU = "$pageH in" # Helper functions function Ref2Page($val, $dim) { if ($dim -eq "x") { return $val / $refW * $pageW } else { return $pageH - ($val / $refH * $pageH) } } function RectRel { param($Panel, $RelX, $RelY, $RelW, $RelH, $Fill, $Line, $LineW, $Label) Assert-RelBox -Panel $Panel -RelX $RelX -RelY $RelY -RelW $RelW -RelH $RelH -ElementName $Label $px0 = $Panel.X0 + $RelX * ($Panel.X1 - $Panel.X0) $py0 = $Panel.Y0 + $RelY * ($Panel.Y1 - $Panel.Y0) $pw = $RelW * ($Panel.X1 - $Panel.X0) $ph = $RelH * ($Panel.Y1 - $Panel.Y0) $x = Ref2Page $px0 "x" $y = Ref2Page $py0 "y" $w = $pw / $refW * $pageW $h = $ph / $refH * $pageH $shp = $page.DrawRectangle($x, $y - $h, $x + $w, $y) $shp.CellsSRC(1,3,0).FormulaU = """$Fill""" $shp.CellsSRC(1,2,0).FormulaU = """$Line""" $shp.CellsSRC(1,2,1).FormulaU = "$LineW pt" if ($Label) { $shp.Text = $Label } } function Assert-RelBox { param($Panel, $RelX, $RelY, $RelW, $RelH, $ElementName) if ($RelX -lt 0 -or $RelY -lt 0 -or ($RelX + $RelW) -gt 1 -or ($RelY + $RelH) -gt 1) { throw "Element '$ElementName' exceeds panel bounds" } } # Panel A: Input Processing RectRel -Panel $panelA -RelX 0.1 -RelY 0.1 -RelW 0.35 -RelH 0.2 ` -Fill "rgb(220,240,255)" -Line "rgb(80,120,160)" -LineW 1.5 ` -Label "Image Input" RectRel -Panel $panelA -RelX 0.55 -RelY 0.1 -RelW 0.35 -RelH 0.2 ` -Fill "rgb(220,255,220)" -Line "rgb(80,160,80)" -LineW 1.5 ` -Label "Preprocessor" # Panel B: Model Architecture RectRel -Panel $panelB -RelX 0.1 -RelY 0.15 -RelW 0.25 -RelH 0.3 ` -Fill "rgb(255,240,220)" -Line "rgb(200,120,80)" -LineW 1.5 ` -Label "Encoder" RectRel -Panel $panelB -RelX 0.4 -RelY 0.15 -RelW 0.25 -RelH 0.3 ` -Fill "rgb(255,220,240)" -Line "rgb(200,80,120)" -LineW 1.5 ` -Label "Transformer" RectRel -Panel $panelB -RelX 0.7 -RelY 0.15 -RelW 0.25 -RelH 0.3 ` -Fill "rgb(240,220,255)" -Line "rgb(120,80,200)" -LineW 1.5 ` -Label "Decoder" # Panel C: Output RectRel -Panel $panelC -RelX 0.3 -RelY 0.3 -RelW 0.4 -RelH 0.4 ` -Fill "rgb(255,255,220)" -Line "rgb(160,160,80)" -LineW 1.5 ` -Label "Output Layer" # Save $doc.SaveAs($VsdxPath) Write-Host "Saved: $VsdxPath" # Export formats $formats = @("png", "svg", "pdf", "pptx") foreach ($fmt in $formats) { $outPath = Join-Path $OutputDir "architecture.$fmt" # Call export function (from visio_export_formats.ps1) # Implementation details in actual script Write-Host "Exported: $outPath" } $visio.Quit() ``` ## Common Patterns ### 1. Rebuild from Reference Image ```powershell # User provides reference.png at 1920x1080 powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File scripts\visio_rebuild_scaffold.ps1 ` -VsdxPath "C:\work\figure1.vsdx" ` -PageW 16 ` -PageH 9 ` -RefW 1920 ` -RefH 1080 ` -PreviewPath "C:\work\figure1_preview.png" ` -ExportFormats svg,pdf ` -OutputDir "C:\work\exports" ``` Inside the scaffold, customize the drawing logic to match the reference layout. ### 2. Update Existing .vsdx Styling Open existing file, modify colors/fonts, re-export: ```powershell $visio = New-Object -ComObject Visio.Application $doc = $visio.Documents.Open("C:\work\existing.vsdx") $page = $doc.Pages.Item(1) # Change all rectangles to new color foreach ($shp in $page.Shapes) { if ($shp.CellExists("FillForegnd", 0)) { $shp.CellsSRC(1,3,0).FormulaU = """rgb(200,220,240)""" } } $doc.Save() $visio.Quit() ``` ### 3. Check for Embedded Images ```powershell powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File scripts\visio_page_tools.ps1 ` -VsdxPath "C:\work\diagram.vsdx" ` -InspectPackage ``` Looks for large PNG/JPG files in `/visio/media/` inside the `.vsdx` ZIP. Warns if the diagram is just an embedded image. ## Acceptance Criteria A correctly rebuilt `.vsdx` should: - ✅ Match the reference layout - ✅ Use native Visio shapes (rectangles, circles, lines, text) - ✅ Have editable text and shapes - ✅ NOT embed the entire reference image as the final content - ✅ Use consistent colors, fonts, and line weights - ✅ For multi-panel figures: no panel overlap, no elements crossing boundaries - ✅ Export cleanly to SVG, PDF, PNG, PPTX from the same source `.vsdx` ## Troubleshooting ### "Visio COM object not found" Install Microsoft Visio. The COM automation API requires a licensed Visio installation on Windows. ### Exported files are empty Check that the `.vsdx` saved successfully before export. Verify the page has visible shapes: ```powershell $page.Shapes.Count # Should be > 0 ``` ### Panels overlap in multi-panel figures Use panel-local coordinates with `Assert-RelBox` and `Assert-RelPoint`: ```powershell Assert-RelBox -Panel $panelA -RelX 0.1 -RelY 0.2 -RelW 0.8 -RelH 0.6 ` -ElementName "BigModule" ``` This throws an error if the box exceeds panel boundaries. ### Text is cut off Increase relative width/height, or use multi-line text: ```powershell $shp.Text = "Line 1`nLine 2`nLine 3" ``` ### Colors don't match reference Use a color picker on the reference image and convert to RGB: ```powershell $shp.CellsSRC(1,3,0).FormulaU = """rgb(123,210,98)""" ``` ## Export Format Details | Format | Method | Notes | |--------|--------|-------| | **PNG** | `$page.Export($path)` | Raster, good for previews | | **SVG** | `FixedFormat = 4` | Vector, editable in Illustrator/Inkscape | | **PDF** | `FixedFormat = 2` | Vector, for paper submission | | **PPTX** | PowerPoint COM | Creates slide with embedded SVG | PPTX export example: ```powershell $ppt = New-Object -ComObject PowerPoint.Application $ppt.Visible = $true $pres = $ppt.Presentations.Add() $slide = $pres.Slides.Add(1, 12) # 12 = ppLayoutBlank # Export Visio page to SVG first $svgPath = "C:\temp\diagram.svg" $page.Export($svgPath) # Insert SVG into slide $slide.Shapes.AddPicture($svgPath, $false, $true, 0, 0, 720, 405) $pres.SaveAs("C:\work\diagram.pptx") $ppt.Quit() ``` ## Version History - **v1.1.1** - Panel calibration, local coordinates, anti-overlap validation - **v1.1** - Multi-format export (PNG, SVG, PDF, PPTX) - **v1.0** - Initial release with Visio COM scaffolding ## References - `SKILL.md` - Main workflow and rules - `references/rebuild-guidelines.md` - Detailed drawing strategies for complex scientific figures - `scripts/visio_export_formats.ps1` - Export function library - `scripts/visio_page_tools.ps1` - Inspection and export utilities - `scripts/visio_rebuild_scaffold.ps1` - Drawing scaffolding with coordinate helpers --- **When to use this skill:** - User wants to convert a paper diagram to editable Visio - User needs SVG/PDF/PPTX exports from a single source - User wants to verify a `.vsdx` isn't just an embedded image - User needs consistent styling across multiple paper figures **When NOT to use this skill:** - User just wants to embed an image in a slide deck (use PowerPoint directly) - User needs pure raster image editing (use Photoshop/GIMP) - User doesn't need Visio-native editability