def figure(size=(8,8), *args, **kwargs):
        """ Creates a figure.

        Parameters
        ----------
        size : 2-tuple
           size of the view window in inches
        args : list
           args of mayavi figure
        kwargs : list
           keyword args of mayavi figure

        Returns
        -------
        pyplot figure
            the current figure
        """
        return plt.figure(figsize=size, *args, **kwargs)