Get next matplotlib subplot

gistfile1.py

def get_next_subplot():
    """                                                                                                                                                                                    
    Create and move to the next subplot                                                                                                                                                    
    in a grid of matplotlib subplots                                                                                                                                                       
    """

    # Get the current plot                                                                                                                                                                 
    ax = plt.gca()

    # Check if the current plot is a subplot                                                                                                                                               
    if ax.__class__.__name__ != "AxesSubplot":
        print "Cannot get next subplot, current axis is not a subplot"
        raise Exception()

    if ax.is_last_col() and ax.is_last_row():
        print "Cannot get next subplot, on last row and column"
        raise Exception()

    # Do some magic to get the current subplot index                                                                                                                                       
    row, col = ax.rowNum, ax.colNum
    ax.numRows, ax.numCols

    idx = ax.numCols*row + col + 1
    next_idx = idx + 1
    print "Creating Subplot: (%s, %s, %s)" % (ax.numRows, ax.numCols, next_idx)
    plt.subplot(ax.numRows, ax.numCols, next_idx)