[jiayaozhang]

Thanks for the heads-up! Yes, we use vector graphics in pdf formats for all figures (outputted from matploblib). I overlooked the size of the arXiv version but my local complication is around 14.5MB (pdflatex under TexLive 2020). I will check what went wrong :)

[godelski]

You should keep the vectored graphics for research papers, it is really handy so people can zoom in. The issue here is just how much information is in the plots you have. E.g. Figure 3 each subplot contains a lot more information than is actually needed. You could use moving averages there to clearly state the same thing. Or if you wanted to, you could include the envelopes. That would create smaller sized images. The other option is to just make the plots more sparse. There's far more information than necessary there.

It's weird, but images often sell a paper, so it is worth time learning how to make good images (or at least one person in your group). But that said, research comes first and that is more important. Just don't underestimate the power of good images. I often find this video on colors helpful[0]

[0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj1FK8n7WgY

[go_elmo]

Maybe pdf graphics would cost less? Keeping it scalable would be great