Article Illustrator
Analyze articles, identify illustration positions, generate images with Type × Style consistency.
Usage
# Auto-select type and style based on content
/baoyu-article-illustrator path/to/article.md
# Specify type
/baoyu-article-illustrator path/to/article.md --type infographic
# Specify style
/baoyu-article-illustrator path/to/article.md --style blueprint
# Combine type and style
/baoyu-article-illustrator path/to/article.md --type flowchart --style notion
# Specify density
/baoyu-article-illustrator path/to/article.md --density rich
# Direct content input
/baoyu-article-illustrator
[paste content]
Options
| Option | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| --type <name> | Illustration type (see Type Gallery) |
| --style <name> | Visual style (see Style Gallery) |
| --density <level> | Image count: minimal / balanced / rich |
Two Dimensions
| Dimension | Controls | Examples | |-----------|----------|----------| | Type | Information structure, content layout | infographic, scene, flowchart, comparison, framework, timeline | | Style | Visual aesthetics, colors, mood | notion, warm, minimal, blueprint, watercolor, elegant |
Type × Style can be freely combined. Example: --type infographic --style blueprint creates technical data visualization with schematic aesthetics.
Type Gallery
| Type | Description | Best For |
|------|-------------|----------|
| infographic | Data visualization, charts, metrics | Technical articles, data analysis, comparisons |
| scene | Atmospheric illustration, mood rendering | Narrative articles, personal stories, emotional content |
| flowchart | Process diagrams, step visualization | Tutorials, workflows, decision trees |
| comparison | Side-by-side, before/after contrast | Product comparisons, option evaluations |
| framework | Concept maps, relationship diagrams | Methodologies, models, architecture design |
| timeline | Chronological progression | History, project progress, evolution |
Density Options
| Density | Count | Description |
|---------|-------|-------------|
| minimal | 1-2 | Core concepts only |
| balanced (Default) | 3-5 | Major sections coverage |
| rich | 6+ | Rich visual support |
Style Gallery
| Style | Description | Best For |
|-------|-------------|----------|
| notion (Default) | Minimalist hand-drawn line art | Knowledge sharing, SaaS, productivity |
| elegant | Refined, sophisticated | Business, thought leadership |
| warm | Friendly, approachable | Personal growth, lifestyle, education |
| minimal | Ultra-clean, zen-like | Philosophy, minimalism, core concepts |
| blueprint | Technical schematics | Architecture, system design, engineering |
| watercolor | Soft artistic with natural warmth | Lifestyle, travel, creative |
| editorial | Magazine-style infographic | Tech explainers, journalism |
| scientific | Academic precise diagrams | Biology, chemistry, technical research |
Full style specifications: references/styles/<style>.md
Type × Style Compatibility
| | notion | warm | minimal | blueprint | watercolor | elegant | editorial | scientific | |---|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:| | infographic | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | | scene | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | | flowchart | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | | comparison | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | | framework | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✗ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | | timeline | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ |
✓✓ = highly recommended | ✓ = compatible | ✗ = not recommended
Auto Selection
| Content Signals | Recommended Type | Recommended Style | |-----------------|------------------|-------------------| | API, metrics, data, comparison, numbers | infographic | blueprint, notion | | Story, emotion, journey, experience, personal | scene | warm, watercolor | | How-to, steps, workflow, process, tutorial | flowchart | notion, minimal | | vs, pros/cons, before/after, alternatives | comparison | notion, elegant | | Framework, model, architecture, principles | framework | blueprint, notion | | History, timeline, progress, evolution | timeline | elegant, warm |
Output Directory
illustrations/{topic-slug}/
├── source-{slug}.{ext}
├── outline.md
├── prompts/
│ └── illustration-{slug}.md
└── NN-{type}-{slug}.png
Slug: Extract 2-4 word topic in kebab-case.
Conflict: Append -YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS if exists.
Workflow
Progress
- [ ] Step 1: Setup & Analyze
- [ ] Step 2: Confirm Settings ⚠️ REQUIRED
- [ ] Step 3: Generate Outline
- [ ] Step 4: Generate Images
- [ ] Step 5: Finalize
Step 1: Setup & Analyze
1.1 Load Preferences (EXTEND.md)
Use Bash to check EXTEND.md existence (priority order):
# Check project-level first
test -f .baoyu-skills/baoyu-article-illustrator/EXTEND.md && echo "project"
# Then user-level (cross-platform: $HOME works on macOS/Linux/WSL)
test -f "$HOME/.baoyu-skills/baoyu-article-illustrator/EXTEND.md" && echo "user"
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┬───────────────────┐ │ Path │ Location │ ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────┤ │ .baoyu-skills/baoyu-article-illustrator/EXTEND.md │ Project directory │ ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────┤ │ $HOME/.baoyu-skills/baoyu-article-illustrator/EXTEND.md │ User home │ └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┴───────────────────┘
┌───────────┬───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Result │ Action │ ├───────────┼───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ Found │ Read, parse, display summary │ ├───────────┼───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │ Not found │ Ask user with AskUserQuestion (see references/config/first-time-setup.md) │ └───────────┴───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
EXTEND.md Supports: Watermark | Preferred type/style | Custom style definitions | Language preference
Schema: references/config/preferences-schema.md
1.2 Analyze Content
Read article, detect language, classify content.
| Analysis | Description | |----------|-------------| | Content type | Technical / Tutorial / Methodology / Narrative | | Core arguments | 2-5 main points that MUST be visualized | | Visual opportunities | Positions where illustrations add value | | Recommended type | Based on content signals | | Recommended density | Based on article length and complexity |
1.3 Extract Core Arguments
Extract 2-5 core arguments that MUST be visualized:
- Main thesis
- Key concepts reader needs
- Comparisons/contrasts being made
- Framework/model proposed
CRITICAL: If article uses metaphors (e.g., "电锯切西瓜"), do NOT illustrate literally. Visualize the underlying concept instead.
1.4 Identify Positions
What to Illustrate:
- Core arguments (REQUIRED)
- Abstract concepts needing visualization
- Data comparisons, metrics
- Processes, workflows
What NOT to Illustrate:
- Metaphors literally
- Decorative scenes without information
- Generic illustrations
Step 2: Confirm Settings ⚠️
Do NOT skip. Use AskUserQuestion with 3-4 questions in ONE call.
Question 1: Illustration Type
Based on content analysis, recommend type:
- [Recommended type based on signals] (Recommended)
- infographic - Data visualization, charts
- scene - Atmospheric, mood rendering
- flowchart - Process, steps
- comparison - Side-by-side contrast
- framework - Concept relationships
- timeline - Chronological progression
- mixed - Combine multiple types
Question 2: Density
- minimal (1-2 images) - Core concepts only
- balanced (3-5 images) (Recommended) - Major sections
- rich (6+ images) - Comprehensive visual support
Question 3: Style
Based on recommended Type, suggest compatible styles (see Type × Style Compatibility matrix):
- [Best compatible style for recommended type] (Recommended)
- [Other highly compatible styles: ✓✓ from matrix]
- [Compatible styles: ✓ from matrix]
Question 4 (only if source ≠ user language):
- Language: Source language / User language
Step 3: Generate Outline
Based on confirmed Type + Density + Style, generate illustration outline.
Outline Format (outline.md):
---
type: infographic
density: balanced
style: blueprint
image_count: 4
---
## Illustration 1
**Position**: [section] / [paragraph]
**Purpose**: [why this illustration helps]
**Visual Content**: [what to show]
**Type Application**: [how type applies here]
**Filename**: 01-infographic-concept-name.png
## Illustration 2
...
Outline Requirements:
- Each illustration position justified by content needs
- Type applied consistently across all illustrations
- Style characteristics reflected in visual descriptions
- Count matches density selection
Step 4: Generate Images
4.1 Create Prompts
Follow Prompt Construction principles below. Save each to prompts/illustration-{slug}.md.
4.2 Select Generation Skill
Check available image generation skills. If multiple, ask user to choose.
4.3 Apply Watermark (if enabled in preferences)
Add to prompt: Include a subtle watermark "[content]" positioned at [position] with approximately [opacity*100]% visibility.
4.4 Generate
- Generate sequentially
- After each: "Generated X/N"
- On failure: auto-retry once, then log and continue
Step 5: Finalize
5.1 Update Article
Insert after corresponding paragraph:
Alt text: concise description in article's language.
5.2 Output Summary
Article Illustration Complete!
Article: [path]
Type: [type name]
Density: [minimal/balanced/rich]
Style: [style name]
Location: [directory path]
Images: X/N generated
Positions:
- 01-infographic-xxx.png → After "[Section]"
- 02-infographic-yyy.png → After "[Section]"
[If failures]
Failed:
- NN-type-zzz.png: [reason]
Prompt Construction
Principles
Good prompts must include:
- Layout Structure First: Describe composition, zones, flow direction
- Specific Data/Labels: Use actual numbers, terms from article
- Visual Relationships: How elements connect
- Semantic Colors: Meaning-based color choices (red=warning, green=efficient)
- Style Characteristics: Line treatment, texture, mood
- Aspect Ratio: End with ratio and complexity level
Type-Specific Prompts
Infographic:
[Title] - Data Visualization
Layout: [grid/radial/hierarchical]
ZONES:
- Zone 1: [data point with specific values]
- Zone 2: [comparison with metrics]
- Zone 3: [summary/conclusion]
LABELS: [specific numbers, percentages, terms from article]
COLORS: [semantic color mapping]
STYLE: [style characteristics]
ASPECT: 16:9
Scene:
[Title] - Atmospheric Scene
FOCAL POINT: [main subject]
ATMOSPHERE: [lighting, mood, environment]
MOOD: [emotion to convey]
COLOR TEMPERATURE: [warm/cool/neutral]
STYLE: [style characteristics]
ASPECT: 16:9
Flowchart:
[Title] - Process Flow
Layout: [left-right/top-down/circular]
STEPS:
1. [Step name] - [brief description]
2. [Step name] - [brief description]
...
CONNECTIONS: [arrow types, decision points]
STYLE: [style characteristics]
ASPECT: 16:9
Comparison:
[Title] - Comparison View
LEFT SIDE - [Option A]:
- [Point 1]
- [Point 2]
RIGHT SIDE - [Option B]:
- [Point 1]
- [Point 2]
DIVIDER: [visual separator]
STYLE: [style characteristics]
ASPECT: 16:9
Framework:
[Title] - Conceptual Framework
STRUCTURE: [hierarchical/network/matrix]
NODES:
- [Concept 1] - [role]
- [Concept 2] - [role]
RELATIONSHIPS: [how nodes connect]
STYLE: [style characteristics]
ASPECT: 16:9
Timeline:
[Title] - Chronological View
DIRECTION: [horizontal/vertical]
EVENTS:
- [Date/Period 1]: [milestone]
- [Date/Period 2]: [milestone]
MARKERS: [visual indicators]
STYLE: [style characteristics]
ASPECT: 16:9
What to Avoid
- Vague descriptions ("a nice image")
- Literal metaphor illustrations
- Missing concrete labels/annotations
- Generic decorative elements
Modification
| Action | Steps | |--------|-------| | Edit | Update prompt → Regenerate → Update reference | | Add | Identify position → Create prompt → Generate → Update outline → Insert reference | | Delete | Delete files → Remove reference → Update outline |
References
| File | Content |
|------|---------|
| references/styles.md | Style gallery & compatibility matrix |
| references/styles/<style>.md | Full style specifications |
| references/config/preferences-schema.md | EXTEND.md schema |
| references/config/first-time-setup.md | First-time setup flow |
Extension Support
Custom configurations via EXTEND.md. See Step 1.1 for paths and supported options.