Create publication-quality scientific diagrams using Nano Banana Pro AI with smart iterative refinement. Uses Gemini 3 Pro for quality review. Only regenerates if quality is below threshold for your document type. Specialized in neural network architectures, system diagrams, flowcharts, biological pathways, and complex scientific visualizations.
Scientific schematics and diagrams transform complex concepts into clear visual representations for publication. This skill uses Nano Banana Pro AI for diagram generation with Gemini 3 Pro quality review.
How it works:
Describe your diagram in natural language
Nano Banana Pro generates publication-quality images automatically
Gemini 3 Pro reviews quality against document-type thresholds
Smart iteration: Only regenerates if quality is below threshold
Publication-ready output in minutes
No coding, templates, or manual drawing required
Quality Thresholds by Document Type:
Document Type
Threshold
Description
journal
8.5/10
Nature, Science, peer-reviewed journals
conference
8.0/10
Conference papers
thesis
8.0/10
Dissertations, theses
grant
8.0/10
Grant proposals
preprint
7.5/10
arXiv, bioRxiv, etc.
report
7.5/10
Technical reports
poster
7.0/10
Academic posters
presentation
6.5/10
Slides, talks
default
7.5/10
General purpose
Simply describe what you want, and Nano Banana Pro creates it. All diagrams are stored in the figures/ subfolder and referenced in papers/posters.
Quick Start: Generate Any Diagram
Create any scientific diagram by simply describing it. Nano Banana Pro handles everything automatically with smart iteration:
# Generate for journal paper (highest quality threshold: 8.5/10)
python scripts/generate_schematic.py "CONSORT participant flow diagram with 500 screened, 150 excluded, 350 randomized" -o figures/consort.png --doc-type journal
# Generate for presentation (lower threshold: 6.5/10 - faster)
python scripts/generate_schematic.py "Transformer encoder-decoder architecture showing multi-head attention" -o figures/transformer.png --doc-type presentation
# Generate for poster (moderate threshold: 7.0/10)
python scripts/generate_schematic.py "MAPK signaling pathway from EGFR to gene transcription" -o figures/mapk_pathway.png --doc-type poster
# Custom max iterations (max 2)
python scripts/generate_schematic.py "Complex circuit diagram with op-amp, resistors, and capacitors" -o figures/circuit.png --iterations 2 --doc-type journal
What happens behind the scenes:
Generation 1: Nano Banana Pro creates initial image following scientific diagram best practices
Review 1: Gemini 3 Pro evaluates quality against document-type threshold
Decision: If quality >= threshold → DONE (no more iterations needed!)
If below threshold: Improved prompt based on critique, regenerate
Repeat: Until quality meets threshold OR max iterations reached
Smart Iteration Benefits:
✅ Saves API calls if first generation is good enough
✅ Higher quality standards for journal papers
✅ Faster turnaround for presentations/posters
✅ Appropriate quality for each use case
Output: Versioned images plus a detailed review log with quality scores, critiques, and early-stop information.
"CONSORT flowchart showing participant flow from screening (n=500) through randomization to final analysis"
"Transformer neural network architecture with encoder stack on left, decoder stack on right, showing multi-head attention and cross-attention connections"
Layout and Composition (0-2 points) - Logical flow, balanced, no overlaps
Professional Appearance (0-2 points) - Publication-ready quality
Example Review Output:
SCORE: 8.0
STRENGTHS:
- Clear flow from top to bottom
- All phases properly labeled
- Professional typography
ISSUES:
- Participant counts slightly small
- Minor overlap on exclusion box
VERDICT: ACCEPTABLE (for poster, threshold 7.0)
Decision Point: Continue or Stop?
If Score...
Action
>= threshold
STOP - Quality is good enough for this document type
< threshold
Continue to next iteration with improved prompt
Example:
For a poster (threshold 7.0): Score of 7.5 → DONE after 1 iteration!
For a journal (threshold 8.5): Score of 7.5 → Continue improving
Subsequent Iterations (Only If Needed)
If quality is below threshold, the system:
Extracts specific issues from Gemini 3 Pro's review
Enhances the prompt with improvement instructions
Regenerates with Nano Banana Pro
Reviews again with Gemini 3 Pro
Repeats until threshold met or max iterations reached
Review Log
All iterations are saved with a JSON review log that includes early-stop information:
✓ "Flowchart with vertical flow, top to bottom"
✓ "Architecture diagram with encoder on left, decoder on right"
✓ "Circular pathway diagram with clockwise flow"
✓ "Minimalist block diagram with clean lines"
✓ "Detailed biological pathway with protein structures"
✓ "Technical schematic with engineering notation"
4. Request Specific Labels:
✓ "Label all arrows with activation/inhibition"
✓ "Include layer dimensions in each box"
✓ "Show time progression with timestamps"
5. Mention Color Requirements:
✓ "Use colorblind-friendly colors"
✓ "Grayscale-compatible design"
✓ "Color-code by function: blue for input, green for processing, red for output"
AI Generation Examples
Example 1: CONSORT Flowchart
python scripts/generate_schematic.py \
"CONSORT participant flow diagram for randomized controlled trial. \
Start with 'Assessed for eligibility (n=500)' at top. \
Show 'Excluded (n=150)' with reasons: age<18 (n=80), declined (n=50), other (n=20). \
Then 'Randomized (n=350)' splits into two arms: \
'Treatment group (n=175)' and 'Control group (n=175)'. \
Each arm shows 'Lost to follow-up' (n=15 and n=10). \
End with 'Analyzed' (n=160 and n=165). \
Use blue boxes for process steps, orange for exclusion, green for final analysis." \
-o figures/consort.png
Example 2: Neural Network Architecture
python scripts/generate_schematic.py \
"Transformer encoder-decoder architecture diagram. \
Left side: Encoder stack with input embedding, positional encoding, \
multi-head self-attention, add & norm, feed-forward, add & norm. \
Right side: Decoder stack with output embedding, positional encoding, \
masked self-attention, add & norm, cross-attention (receiving from encoder), \
add & norm, feed-forward, add & norm, linear & softmax. \
Show cross-attention connection from encoder to decoder with dashed line. \
Use light blue for encoder, light red for decoder. \
Label all components clearly." \
-o figures/transformer.png --iterations 2
Example 3: Biological Pathway
python scripts/generate_schematic.py \
"MAPK signaling pathway diagram. \
Start with EGFR receptor at cell membrane (top). \
Arrow down to RAS (with GTP label). \
Arrow to RAF kinase. \
Arrow to MEK kinase. \
Arrow to ERK kinase. \
Final arrow to nucleus showing gene transcription. \
Label each arrow with 'phosphorylation' or 'activation'. \
Use rounded rectangles for proteins, different colors for each. \
Include membrane boundary line at top." \
-o figures/mapk_pathway.png
Example 4: System Architecture
python scripts/generate_schematic.py \
"IoT system architecture block diagram. \
Bottom layer: Sensors (temperature, humidity, motion) in green boxes. \
Middle layer: Microcontroller (ESP32) in blue box. \
Connections to WiFi module (orange box) and Display (purple box). \
Top layer: Cloud server (gray box) connected to mobile app (light blue box). \
Show data flow arrows between all components. \
Label connections with protocols: I2C, UART, WiFi, HTTPS." \
-o figures/iot_architecture.png
Command-Line Usage
The main entry point for generating scientific schematics:
Note: The Nano Banana Pro AI generation system includes automatic quality review in its iterative refinement process. Each iteration is evaluated for scientific accuracy, clarity, and accessibility.
Best Practices Summary
Design Principles
Clarity over complexity - Simplify, remove unnecessary elements
Consistent styling - Use templates and style files
Colorblind accessibility - Use Okabe-Ito palette, redundant encoding
Use this skill to create clear, accessible, publication-quality diagrams that effectively communicate complex scientific concepts. The AI-powered workflow with iterative refinement ensures diagrams meet professional standards.
