Getting Started
Create your first scientific visual in PaperBanana
Your first result in 10 minutes
| Time | Action | You should have |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 min | Sign up or log in, then check your balance and credit rules. | A ready account with enough credits for one generation. |
| 2-4 min | Pick the tool from the docs home page, or start with Scientific Diagram Maker for a structured paper figure. | The right workspace for your goal. |
| 4-6 min | Paste a specific prompt with topic, structure, labels, and style. | A clear first draft request. |
| 6-8 min | Generate the visual and review labels, arrows, and scientific logic. | A draft you can judge instead of a blank page. |
| 8-10 min | Refine labels, colors, and layout in Workspace Editor, then export. | A usable SVG, PDF, PPTX, or PNG draft. |
Before using the result in academic work, read What PaperBanana Is Not For.
1. Sign up or log in
You can view public pages without an account, but generation, saving, downloads, billing, and My Creations require login. Use the same email for your account and payments so credits and orders can be matched correctly.
2. Check your credit balance
After login, your credit balance appears in the top navigation. Each generation or edit button shows the required credits before you submit the task.
If you do not have enough credits, open Pricing to choose a subscription or a one-time credit pack.
3. Choose the right tool
| Tool | Best for |
|---|---|
| Scientific Diagram Maker | Paper mechanism diagrams, workflows, pathways, and experimental schematics |
| AI Scientific Illustration | Text-to-illustration, image-to-illustration, and quick image edits |
| Scientific Poster Maker | Conference posters and lab meeting posters |
| Workspace Editor | Editing generated SVG diagrams after creation |
4. Write a specific prompt
A good prompt includes the topic, structure, labels, style, and constraints. For example:
Create a mechanism diagram showing macrophage activation after nanoparticle uptake.
Use three panels: uptake, lysosomal escape, and cytokine release.
Label nanoparticles, endosome, nucleus, IL-6, and TNF-alpha.
White background, publication-ready vector style.5. Review and refine
After generation, review the result before downloading. If it is close but still needs changes, open it in Workspace and refine it with manual editing or AI edit.
Small, targeted edits are usually more stable than asking AI to redesign the whole figure.