python - How to save figures to pdf as raster images in matplotlib

Question

I have some complex graphs made using matplotlib. Saving them to a pdf using the savefig command uses a vector format, and the pdf takes ages to open. Is there any way to save the figure to pdf as a raster image to get around this problem?

Answer 1

You can force individual figure elements to be rasterized like this:

text(1,1,'foobar',rasterized=True)