subfig

Subfig is a LaTeX package that provides support for including multiple subfigures within a single figure environment. It allows each subfigure to have its own caption and label while sharing a common overall caption. The package is commonly loaded with \usepackage{subfig} and is used in conjunction with the standard figure environment. Subfig introduces the \subfloat command, which inserts a subfigure and its caption; additional subfigures can be appended in the same figure to create side-by-side or stacked layouts.

Typical usage involves composing a figure with multiple subfigures, each created by a separate \subfloat entry. For example, within a figure you might place \centering followed by \subfloat[First subcaption]{\includegraphics[width=0.45\textwidth]{image1}} \subfloat[Second subcaption]{\includegraphics[width=0.45\textwidth]{image2}} and then add a main caption with \caption{Overall caption} and a label with \label{fig:example}. Each subfigure can be referenced individually using its own label, such as \label{fig:a}, and referenced with \ref{fig:a} in the text.

Subfig supports various layout options, enabling side-by-side, stacked, or mixed arrangements of subfigures through width settings and spacing adjustments. It is designed to work with the caption mechanism for subcaptions and labels, facilitating precise cross-referencing and consistent formatting within a document.

History and status: The subfig package is an older solution for combining subfigures and has been widely used in many documents. It is often contrasted with the newer subcaption package, which provides a different interface and improved compatibility with modern caption handling. In some setups, loading order and compatibility with other caption-related packages may require attention. Despite these considerations, subfig remains a stable and commonly seen option for producing multi-part figures.