How can I use the tikz external library in tikzposter?

Question

I am using tikzposter to make a poster (obviously). I would like to insert a few rather large tikz figures in that poster. This really lengthens the compilation time. Usually (when writing articles) I get away with this by using the excellent tikz external class. But, if I activate it in my poster I get this error:

Runaway argument?
 \par \endinput 
! File ended while scanning use of \tikzexternal@laTeX@collect@until@end@tikzpic
ture

I suspect this is because the whole poster is one giant tikzpicture. Is there a way to activate the tikz external library selectively?

If it's a pure memory issue (but it doesn't seems to be), try to compile with lualatex... Or just render pdfs from tikz image and include them as any pdf image. — s__C, Jun 26 '14 at 12:47
For the error, see macros - Problem with environment expansion and the Tikz external library. - TeX - LaTeX Stack Exchange ; however in this case you would need to look at the source code and fix the environment. — user202729, Dec 10 '21 at 12:21

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Jul 08 '14 at 08:44

Yes, you can deactivate the export using \tikzset{external/export=false} (or probably by means of \tikzexternalize[export=false]).

Then you write \tikzset{external/export=true} after \begin{document}. Or use \tikzset{external/export next} right in front of the pictures which need to be exported.

Here is the extract of the reference manual:

/tikz/external/export next={ boolean (default true) A boolean which can be used to disable the export mechanism for single pictures.

/tikz/external/export={ boolean } (no default, initially true) A boolean which can be used to disable the export mechanism for all pictures inside of the current TEX-scope.

How can I use the tikz external library in tikzposter?

1 Answers1