How to generate custom figures with BioRender AI

BioRender’s AI figure generation tools help you get to a first draft faster by turning simple text prompts into visual figures. Use the Generate Custom Figure tool to quickly create BioRender-style visuals with optional editable text.

Create a new figure

1. Open your BioRender canvas.
2. Click the AI button in the left toolbar.
3. Select Generate Custom Figure.
4. Enter your prompt
   • Type a description or paste existing text.
   • Optional: attach a reference image if you’re recreating a figure or using a visual guide.
5. Click the arrow to generate (The tool will generate 3 preview options based on your prompt).
6. Review the preview and select the version you want to continue with.
7. Choose how to add your figure.
   • Flat image adds a single image instantly, with the option to edit text after it’s placed.
   • Flat image and editable text adds a flat image right away and also generates a version with editable text shortly after.

8. Once selected, your figure is added to the canvas.

9. Optional: refine your figure.
   • Use the “Modify this image” field to adjust details with a follow-up prompt
10. Click Add to Canvas.

The Custom figure generator will:

• Generates 3 figure variations from your prompt
• Creates clean, BioRender-style visuals
• Allow you to refine your selected figure using follow-up prompts before adding image to canvas
• Optionally converts text into fully editable elements

Note: Conversion into more granular, fully editable figure components is still evolving.

Edit text in your figure

If you choose editable text, your figure is separated into a background image and individual text elements. Each text element can be selected and edited independently, allowing you to adjust alignment, update font styles, change colors, and refine titles or labels.

Make text editable in existing figures

You can also convert previously generated images into editable text.

From the canvas, select your image, open the Edit panel, and click Make text editable. Alternatively, select the image, open the top toolbar, go to AI, and choose Make text editable.

This will separate the figure into a background image and editable text layers so you can fully customize the text.

How to prompt

For best results, be specific about the key elements, layout, and relationships you'd like in your figure.

You can type a description of the figure you want, paste in text from a paper abstract or SOP, or attach a reference image or sketch to guide the output. Use the Modify image step to regenerate with adjustments rather than re-starting from scratch.

AI prompt length limits

To ensure the best possible results and maintain system performance, BioRender’s AI tools have a prompt length limit of 1,000 words.

Why is there a limit?

• Very long prompts (such as full research papers or lengthy abstracts) can reduce the quality and accuracy of generated figures.
• Shorter, more focused prompts help the AI better understand your intent and produce clearer, more relevant outputs.

Tips for best results:

• Focus on the key elements you want illustrated (e.g., main steps, components, or relationships)
• Avoid pasting entire documents - instead, summarize the most important points
• If needed, break your request into multiple smaller prompts

If your prompt exceeds the limit, you’ll be asked to shorten it before generating your figure.

Example prompt for AI Custom Figure Draft:

Generate a clean scientific figure illustrating asymmetric division of a CD8+ T cell. A single naïve T cell divides into two daughter cells with distinct fates: one long-lived memory-like cell enriched in newly synthesized mitochondria (green), and one short-lived effector-like cell enriched in older mitochondria (red). Indicate that selective mitochondrial turnover contributes to this asymmetry. Include a small recycling or autophagy symbol near the dividing cell. Use a white background, minimal labels, and a simple legend.

Help us improve our AI figure generation tools

We’d love to hear from you! Your feedback helps us make the AI Figure Generator even better, whether something worked perfectly, missed the mark, or sparked an idea for improvement.

After generating a figure, you’ll see two ways to share feedback directly within the tool:

1. Give Feedback button
2. 👍 👎 icons just above your prompt

Clicking any of these opens a feedback window where you can tell us what went well and what could be improved. Not sure where to start? Here are a few helpful questions to guide your response:

• What worked well or felt especially useful?
• Was anything missing, confusing, or inaccurate?
• How satisfied were you with the result, on a scale of 1–10?
• What changes would you make to finalize the figure?
• Is there anything you wish this tool could do in the future?

Whether it’s a quick comment or detailed suggestions, every bit of input helps us improve the tool and shape its future based on your real-world needs.

Thank you for taking the time to help us build better tools for science communication!

Data Privacy

Before using the AI Generator, you will see a message outlining how your prompts and figures may be reviewed by the BioRender team to improve the tool. Our goal is to give you a great experience while always protecting the privacy and security of your data. Your data is never used to train our AI models and is not shared externally. Read more about it here.

Troubleshooting

“Generate Custom Figure” option not visible?

If you don’t see the “Generate Custom Figure” option in the editor, it may be due to your browser blocking required services. 

• Check if you are using an ad blocker or browser privacy extension. 

• Disable your ad blocker for app.biorender.com

• Refresh your browser after making this change

Once the blocker is disabled, the option should appear in the editor.

Didn’t get the figure you expected?

If the generated figure doesn’t match your prompt, try the following:

• Use more specific or detailed language in your prompt
• Break complex workflows into smaller steps 
• Check if your request includes any unsupported elements or instructions, like anatomy diagrams or highly specialized illustrations

AI not showing in the editor?

• Make sure you’re using the new BioRender Canvas
• Make sure you’re using the latest version of Google Chrome
• Refresh your browser and clear your cache
• If you are part of an organization, contact your administrator to inquire whether your team should have access to AI tools
• If the issue persists, contact our Support team at support@biorender.com

Does the figure look incomplete or are there missing icons?

• Regenerate the figure using the original or a revised prompt
• Manually search for and insert missing icons from the icon library
• Use grouped elements to reorganize or adjust the layout for clarity

Prompt history not available?

The prompt composer only retains the most recent prompt during your active session. If you enter a new prompt, the previous one is replaced. Prompt history isn’t saved across sessions—navigating away from your canvas or closing it will clear the composer.

Frequently asked questions

Can I regenerate a figure without starting from scratch?

Yes. You can edit the original prompt and regenerate the figure as many times as needed. The system will provide updated versions based on your changes.

What kinds of figures are best supported by AI generation?

Currently, these tools work best for experimental protocols, chronological timelines, and simple flowcharts. Complex diagrams, like graphical abstracts or detailed anatomical visuals, are not yet supported.

Can I manually edit AI-generated figures?

Absolutely. Once the figure is added to your canvas, you can modify it like any other illustration: ungroup, resize, replace icons, update text or adjust the layout.

Need help? Reach out to our support team at support@biorender.com or start a live chat by clicking the "Chat With Us" bubble in the bottom right corner.