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

Two Dimensions

Type × Style can be freely combined. Example: --type infographic --style blueprint creates technical data visualization with schematic aesthetics.

Type Gallery

Density Options

Style Gallery

Full style specifications: references/styles/<style>.md

Type × Style Compatibility

✓✓ = highly recommended | ✓ = compatible | ✗ = not recommended

Auto Selection

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.

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

1. Generate sequentially
2. After each: “Generated X/N”
3. On failure: auto-retry once, then log and continue

Step 5: Finalize

5.1 Update Article

Insert after corresponding paragraph:

![description](illustrations/{slug}/NN-{type}-{slug}.png)

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:

1. Layout Structure First: Describe composition, zones, flow direction
2. Specific Data/Labels: Use actual numbers, terms from article
3. Visual Relationships: How elements connect
4. Semantic Colors: Meaning-based color choices (red=warning, green=efficient)
5. Style Characteristics: Line treatment, texture, mood
6. 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

References

Extension Support

Custom configurations via EXTEND.md. See Step 1.1 for paths and supported options.