diff --git a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_colors.png.dvc b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_colors.png.dvc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..4f80f1176a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_colors.png.dvc
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+outs:
+- md5: 9ed4293beb77a27cecba15658af20d1d
+  size: 30701
+  path: test_plot3d_colors.png
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_colors_sizes.png.dvc b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_colors_sizes.png.dvc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..0a8534d8b3d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_colors_sizes.png.dvc
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+outs:
+- md5: ea0653b5ecb03d71872bfff1f90e77b1
+  size: 29285
+  path: test_plot3d_colors_sizes.png
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_colors_sizes_proj.png.dvc b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_colors_sizes_proj.png.dvc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..d7ffd6ed30a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_colors_sizes_proj.png.dvc
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+outs:
+- md5: 05fb4a508f11db7ad8266532b609446a
+  size: 56253
+  path: test_plot3d_colors_sizes_proj.png
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_from_file.png.dvc b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_from_file.png.dvc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..048b2a16274
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_from_file.png.dvc
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+outs:
+- md5: 1c42135d58b8ea4d3dc6aa0cb9a45f9d
+  size: 53113
+  path: test_plot3d_from_file.png
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_matrix.png.dvc b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_matrix.png.dvc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..4d6503c1eb1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_matrix.png.dvc
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+outs:
+- md5: 1506c5fc33859e7f699e5421c3429ce9
+  size: 39041
+  path: test_plot3d_matrix.png
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_matrix_color.png.dvc b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_matrix_color.png.dvc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..6c85841e3b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_matrix_color.png.dvc
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+outs:
+- md5: 685f692faac5075282bc79a921a7a2f4
+  size: 30476
+  path: test_plot3d_matrix_color.png
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_projection.png.dvc b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_projection.png.dvc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..1697b347edf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_projection.png.dvc
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+outs:
+- md5: 945d98615aee38b41c7b86431af95875
+  size: 29629
+  path: test_plot3d_projection.png
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_red_circles_zscale.png.dvc b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_red_circles_zscale.png.dvc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..2259ecf138d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_red_circles_zscale.png.dvc
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+outs:
+- md5: 2919356bff9b9fbc47152f1f5df5817d
+  size: 34732
+  path: test_plot3d_red_circles_zscale.png
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_red_circles_zsize.png.dvc b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_red_circles_zsize.png.dvc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..4a29f7f8eae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_red_circles_zsize.png.dvc
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+outs:
+- md5: 0fe9611ecaa271108eaaa49a82c63fb2
+  size: 35405
+  path: test_plot3d_red_circles_zsize.png
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_scalar_xyz.png.dvc b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_scalar_xyz.png.dvc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e600d4f7651
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_scalar_xyz.png.dvc
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+outs:
+- md5: b1df530f5916a91a6e7fb6ae1cdbf628
+  size: 37030
+  path: test_plot3d_scalar_xyz.png
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_sizes.png.dvc b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_sizes.png.dvc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..4a37351c775
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_sizes.png.dvc
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+outs:
+- md5: b95bf07a96f69d1586fd548d2d22fa7c
+  size: 36565
+  path: test_plot3d_sizes.png
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_sizes_colors_transparencies.png.dvc b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_sizes_colors_transparencies.png.dvc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..5cb4c9331ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_sizes_colors_transparencies.png.dvc
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+outs:
+- md5: 064f6bd855691874b39c31c6b585e6ca
+  size: 30367
+  path: test_plot3d_sizes_colors_transparencies.png
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_transparency.png.dvc b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_transparency.png.dvc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..ba7ec2ca175
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_transparency.png.dvc
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+outs:
+- md5: 399f9faeb033bf9e0e921bd2c571cc2d
+  size: 26077
+  path: test_plot3d_transparency.png
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_varying_transparency.png.dvc b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_varying_transparency.png.dvc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..0f63d669696
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_varying_transparency.png.dvc
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+outs:
+- md5: 84693da1f92641eb3a1642eddd027d51
+  size: 27634
+  path: test_plot3d_varying_transparency.png
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_vectors.png.dvc b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_vectors.png.dvc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..3914f3e9f6c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pygmt/tests/baseline/test_plot3d_vectors.png.dvc
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+outs:
+- md5: b3e3632a0a389576ba16a02ce115fb55
+  size: 27387
+  path: test_plot3d_vectors.png
diff --git a/pygmt/tests/test_plot3d.py b/pygmt/tests/test_plot3d.py
index 11ba0707897..492e95a9ca5 100644
--- a/pygmt/tests/test_plot3d.py
+++ b/pygmt/tests/test_plot3d.py
@@ -7,8 +7,6 @@
 import pytest
 from pygmt import Figure
 from pygmt.exceptions import GMTInvalidInput
-from pygmt.helpers import GMTTempFile
-from pygmt.helpers.testing import check_figures_equal
 
 TEST_DATA_DIR = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "data")
 POINTS_DATA = os.path.join(TEST_DATA_DIR, "points.txt")
@@ -30,62 +28,42 @@ def fixture_region():
     return [10, 70, -5, 10, 0, 1]
 
 
-@check_figures_equal()
+@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
 def test_plot3d_red_circles_zscale(data, region):
     "Plot the 3D data in red circles passing in vectors and setting zscale = 5"
-    fig_ref, fig_test = Figure(), Figure()
-    fig_ref.plot3d(
-        data=POINTS_DATA,
-        Jz=5,
-        p="225/30",
-        R="/".join(map(str, region)),
-        J="X4i",
-        S="c0.2c",
-        G="red",
-        B=["afg", "zafg"],
-    )
-    fig_test.plot3d(
+    fig = Figure()
+    fig.plot3d(
         x=data[:, 0],
         y=data[:, 1],
         z=data[:, 2],
         zscale=5,
         perspective=[225, 30],
         region=region,
-        projection="X4i",
+        projection="X10c",
         style="c0.2c",
         color="red",
         frame=["afg", "zafg"],
     )
-    return fig_ref, fig_test
+    return fig
 
 
-@check_figures_equal()
+@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
 def test_plot3d_red_circles_zsize(data, region):
-    "Plot the 3D data in red circles passing in vectors and setting zsize = 3i"
-    fig_ref, fig_test = Figure(), Figure()
-    fig_ref.plot3d(
-        data=POINTS_DATA,
-        JZ="3i",
-        p="225/30",
-        R="/".join(map(str, region)),
-        J="X4i",
-        S="c0.2c",
-        G="red",
-        B=["afg", "zafg"],
-    )
-    fig_test.plot3d(
+    "Plot the 3D data in red circles passing in vectors and setting zsize = 6c"
+    fig = Figure()
+    fig.plot3d(
         x=data[:, 0],
         y=data[:, 1],
         z=data[:, 2],
-        zsize="3i",
+        zsize="6c",
         perspective=[225, 30],
         region=region,
-        projection="X4i",
+        projection="X10c",
         style="c0.2c",
         color="red",
         frame=["afg", "zafg"],
     )
-    return fig_ref, fig_test
+    return fig
 
 
 def test_plot3d_fail_no_data(data, region):
@@ -95,13 +73,13 @@ def test_plot3d_fail_no_data(data, region):
     fig = Figure()
     with pytest.raises(GMTInvalidInput):
         fig.plot3d(
-            region=region, projection="X4i", style="c0.2c", color="red", frame="afg"
+            region=region, projection="X10c", style="c0.2c", color="red", frame="afg"
         )
     with pytest.raises(GMTInvalidInput):
         fig.plot3d(
             x=data[:, 0],
             region=region,
-            projection="X4i",
+            projection="X10c",
             style="c0.2c",
             color="red",
             frame="afg",
@@ -110,7 +88,7 @@ def test_plot3d_fail_no_data(data, region):
         fig.plot3d(
             y=data[:, 0],
             region=region,
-            projection="X4i",
+            projection="X10c",
             style="c0.2c",
             color="red",
             frame="afg",
@@ -123,7 +101,7 @@ def test_plot3d_fail_no_data(data, region):
             z=data[:, 2],
             data=data,
             region=region,
-            projection="X4i",
+            projection="X10c",
             style="c0.2c",
             color="red",
             frame="afg",
@@ -145,56 +123,34 @@ def test_plot3d_fail_color_size_intensity(data, region):
         fig.plot3d(style="cc", intensity=data[:, 2], color="red", **kwargs)
 
 
-@check_figures_equal()
+@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
 def test_plot3d_projection(data, region):
     """
     Plot the data in green squares with a projection.
     """
-    fig_ref, fig_test = Figure(), Figure()
-    fig_ref.plot3d(
-        data=POINTS_DATA,
-        Jz=5,
-        p="225/30",
-        R="/".join(map(str, region)),
-        J="R270/4i",
-        S="s1c",
-        G="green",
-        B=["ag", "zag"],
-    )
-    fig_test.plot3d(
+    fig = Figure()
+    fig.plot3d(
         x=data[:, 0],
         y=data[:, 1],
         z=data[:, 2],
         zscale=5,
         perspective=[225, 30],
         region=region,
-        projection="R270/4i",
+        projection="R270/10c",
         style="s1c",
         color="green",
         frame=["ag", "zag"],
     )
-    return fig_ref, fig_test
+    return fig
 
 
-@check_figures_equal()
+@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
 def test_plot3d_colors(data, region):
     """
     Plot the data using z as colors.
     """
-    fig_ref, fig_test = Figure(), Figure()
-    fig_ref.plot3d(
-        data=POINTS_DATA,
-        Jz=5,
-        p="225/30",
-        G="+z",
-        R="/".join(map(str, region)),
-        J="X3i",
-        S="c0.5c",
-        C="cubhelix",
-        B=["afg", "zafg"],
-        i="0,1,2,2",
-    )
-    fig_test.plot3d(
+    fig = Figure()
+    fig.plot3d(
         x=data[:, 0],
         y=data[:, 1],
         z=data[:, 2],
@@ -202,32 +158,21 @@ def test_plot3d_colors(data, region):
         perspective=[225, 30],
         color=data[:, 2],
         region=region,
-        projection="X3i",
+        projection="X6c",
         style="c0.5c",
         cmap="cubhelix",
         frame=["afg", "zafg"],
     )
-    return fig_ref, fig_test
+    return fig
 
 
-@check_figures_equal()
+@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
 def test_plot3d_sizes(data, region):
     """
     Plot the data using z as sizes.
     """
-    fig_ref, fig_test = Figure(), Figure()
-    fig_ref.plot3d(
-        data=POINTS_DATA,
-        Jz=5,
-        p="225/30",
-        i="0,1,2,2+s0.5",
-        R="/".join(map(str, region)),
-        J="X4i",
-        S="ui",
-        G="blue",
-        B=["af", "zaf"],
-    )
-    fig_test.plot3d(
+    fig = Figure()
+    fig.plot3d(
         x=data[:, 0],
         y=data[:, 1],
         z=data[:, 2],
@@ -235,34 +180,23 @@ def test_plot3d_sizes(data, region):
         perspective=[225, 30],
         sizes=0.5 * data[:, 2],
         region=region,
-        projection="X4i",
+        projection="X10c",
         # Using inches instead of cm because of upstream bug at
         # https://github.com/GenericMappingTools/gmt/issues/4386
         style="ui",
         color="blue",
         frame=["af", "zaf"],
     )
-    return fig_ref, fig_test
+    return fig
 
 
-@check_figures_equal()
+@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
 def test_plot3d_colors_sizes(data, region):
     """
     Plot the data using z as sizes and colors.
     """
-    fig_ref, fig_test = Figure(), Figure()
-    fig_ref.plot3d(
-        data=POINTS_DATA,
-        Jz=5,
-        p="225/30",
-        i="0,1,2,2,2+s0.5",
-        R="/".join(map(str, region)),
-        J="X3i",
-        S="ui",
-        C="copper",
-        B=["af", "zaf"],
-    )
-    fig_test.plot3d(
+    fig = Figure()
+    fig.plot3d(
         x=data[:, 0],
         y=data[:, 1],
         z=data[:, 2],
@@ -271,42 +205,30 @@ def test_plot3d_colors_sizes(data, region):
         color=data[:, 2],
         sizes=0.5 * data[:, 2],
         region=region,
-        projection="X3i",
+        projection="X6c",
         # Using inches instead of cm because of upstream bug at
         # https://github.com/GenericMappingTools/gmt/issues/4386
         style="ui",
         cmap="copper",
         frame=["af", "zaf"],
     )
-    return fig_ref, fig_test
+    return fig
 
 
-@check_figures_equal()
+@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
 def test_plot3d_colors_sizes_proj(data, region):
     """
     Plot the data using z as sizes and colors with a projection.
     """
-    fig_ref, fig_test = Figure(), Figure()
-    fig_ref.plot3d(
-        data=POINTS_DATA,
-        Jz=5,
-        p="225/30",
-        R="/".join(map(str, region)),
-        J="M10i",
-        B=["af", "zaf"],
-        G="+z",
-        i="0,1,2,2,2+s1",
-        S="ui",
-        C="copper",
-    )
-    fig_test.plot3d(
+    fig = Figure()
+    fig.plot3d(
         x=data[:, 0],
         y=data[:, 1],
         z=data[:, 2],
         zscale=5,
         perspective=[225, 30],
         region=region,
-        projection="M10i",
+        projection="M20c",
         frame=["af", "zaf"],
         color=data[:, 2],
         sizes=data[:, 2],
@@ -315,7 +237,7 @@ def test_plot3d_colors_sizes_proj(data, region):
         style="ui",
         cmap="copper",
     )
-    return fig_ref, fig_test
+    return fig
 
 
 @pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
@@ -345,7 +267,7 @@ def test_plot3d_varying_intensity():
     return fig
 
 
-@check_figures_equal()
+@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
 def test_plot3d_transparency():
     """
     Plot the data with a constant transparency.
@@ -354,39 +276,24 @@ def test_plot3d_transparency():
     y = np.arange(1, 10)
     z = np.arange(1, 10) * 10
 
-    fig_ref, fig_test = Figure(), Figure()
-    # Use single-character arguments for the reference image
-    with GMTTempFile() as tmpfile:
-        np.savetxt(tmpfile.name, np.c_[x, y, z], fmt="%d")
-        fig_ref.plot3d(
-            data=tmpfile.name,
-            S="u0.2c",
-            G="blue",
-            R="0/10/0/10/10/90",
-            J="X4i",
-            Jz=0.1,
-            B="",
-            p="135/30",
-            t=80.0,
-        )
-
-    fig_test.plot3d(
+    fig = Figure()
+    fig.plot3d(
         x=x,
         y=y,
         z=z,
         style="u0.2c",
         color="blue",
         region=[0, 10, 0, 10, 10, 90],
-        projection="X4i",
+        projection="X10c",
         zscale=0.1,
         frame=True,
         perspective=[135, 30],
         transparency=80.0,
     )
-    return fig_ref, fig_test
+    return fig
 
 
-@check_figures_equal()
+@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
 def test_plot3d_varying_transparency():
     """
     Plot the data using z as transparency using 3-D column symbols.
@@ -395,38 +302,24 @@ def test_plot3d_varying_transparency():
     y = np.arange(1, 10)
     z = np.arange(1, 10) * 10
 
-    fig_ref, fig_test = Figure(), Figure()
-    # Use single-character arguments for the reference image
-    with GMTTempFile() as tmpfile:
-        np.savetxt(tmpfile.name, np.c_[x, y, z, z, z], fmt="%d")
-        fig_ref.plot3d(
-            data=tmpfile.name,
-            S="o0.2c+B5",
-            G="blue",
-            R="0/10/0/10/10/90",
-            J="X4i",
-            Jz=0.1,
-            B="",
-            p="135/30",
-            t="",
-        )
-    fig_test.plot3d(
+    fig = Figure()
+    fig.plot3d(
         x=x,
         y=y,
         z=z,
         style="o0.2c+B5",
         color="blue",
         region=[0, 10, 0, 10, 10, 90],
-        projection="X4i",
+        projection="X10c",
         zscale=0.1,
         frame=True,
         perspective=[135, 30],
         transparency=z,
     )
-    return fig_ref, fig_test
+    return fig
 
 
-@check_figures_equal()
+@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
 def test_plot3d_sizes_colors_transparencies():
     """
     Plot the data with varying sizes and colors using z as transparency.
@@ -438,27 +331,13 @@ def test_plot3d_sizes_colors_transparencies():
     size = np.arange(1, 10) * 0.2
     transparency = np.arange(1, 10) * 10
 
-    fig_ref, fig_test = Figure(), Figure()
-    # Use single-character arguments for the reference image
-    with GMTTempFile() as tmpfile:
-        np.savetxt(tmpfile.name, np.c_[x, y, z, color, size, transparency])
-        fig_ref.plot3d(
-            data=tmpfile.name,
-            R="0/10/0/10/10/90",
-            J="X4i",
-            Jz=0.1,
-            p="135/30",
-            B="",
-            S="uc",
-            C="gray",
-            t="",
-        )
-    fig_test.plot3d(
+    fig = Figure()
+    fig.plot3d(
         x=x,
         y=y,
         z=z,
         region=[0, 10, 0, 10, 10, 90],
-        projection="X4i",
+        projection="X10c",
         zscale=0.1,
         perspective=[135, 30],
         frame=True,
@@ -468,103 +347,70 @@ def test_plot3d_sizes_colors_transparencies():
         cmap="gray",
         transparency=transparency,
     )
-    return fig_ref, fig_test
+    return fig
 
 
-@check_figures_equal()
+@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
 def test_plot3d_matrix(data, region):
     """
     Plot the data passing in a matrix and specifying columns.
     """
-    fig_ref, fig_test = Figure(), Figure()
-    fig_ref.plot3d(
-        data=POINTS_DATA,
-        Jz=5,
-        p="225/30",
-        R="/".join(map(str, region)),
-        J="M10i",
-        S="c1c",
-        G="#aaaaaa",
-        B=["a", "za"],
-        i="0,1,2",
-    )
-    fig_test.plot3d(
+    fig = Figure()
+    fig.plot3d(
         data=data,
         zscale=5,
         perspective=[225, 30],
         region=region,
-        projection="M10i",
+        projection="M20c",
         style="c1c",
         color="#aaaaaa",
         frame=["a", "za"],
         columns="0,1,2",
     )
-    return fig_ref, fig_test
+    return fig
 
 
-@check_figures_equal()
+@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
 def test_plot3d_matrix_color(data, region):
     """
     Plot the data passing in a matrix and using a colormap.
     """
-    fig_ref, fig_test = Figure(), Figure()
-    fig_ref.plot3d(
-        data=POINTS_DATA,
-        Jz=5,
-        p="225/30",
-        R="/".join(map(str, region)),
-        J="X5i",
-        S="c0.5c",
-        C="rainbow",
-        i="0,1,2,2",
-        B=["a", "za"],
-    )
-    fig_test.plot3d(
+    fig = Figure()
+    fig.plot3d(
         data=data,
         zscale=5,
         perspective=[225, 30],
         region=region,
-        projection="X5i",
+        projection="X10c",
         style="c0.5c",
         cmap="rainbow",
         columns=[0, 1, 2, 2],
         frame=["a", "za"],
     )
-    return fig_ref, fig_test
+    return fig
 
 
-@check_figures_equal()
+@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
 def test_plot3d_from_file(region):
     """
     Plot using the data file name instead of loaded data.
     """
-    fig_ref, fig_test = Figure(), Figure()
-    fig_ref.plot3d(
-        data=POINTS_DATA,
-        Jz=5,
-        p="225/30",
-        R="/".join(map(str, region)),
-        J="X10i",
-        S="d1c",
-        G="yellow",
-        B=["af", "zaf"],
-        i="0,1,2",
-    )
-    fig_test.plot3d(
+    fig = Figure()
+    fig.plot3d(
         data=POINTS_DATA,
         zscale=5,
         perspective=[225, 30],
         region=region,
-        projection="X10i",
+        projection="X20c",
         style="d1c",
         color="yellow",
         frame=["af", "zaf"],
         columns=[0, 1, 2],
     )
-    return fig_ref, fig_test
+    return fig
 
 
-@check_figures_equal()
+@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
 def test_plot3d_vectors():
     """
     Plot vectors.
@@ -574,20 +420,9 @@ def test_plot3d_vectors():
     lon = np.sin(np.deg2rad(azimuth))
     lat = np.cos(np.deg2rad(azimuth))
     elev = np.tan(np.deg2rad(azimuth))
-    fig_ref, fig_test = Figure(), Figure()
-    with GMTTempFile() as tmpfile:
-        np.savetxt(tmpfile.name, np.c_[lon, lat, elev, azimuth, lengths])
-        fig_ref.plot3d(
-            data=tmpfile.name,
-            Jz=2,
-            p="225/30",
-            R="-2/2/-2/2/-2/2",
-            J="X4i",
-            S="V1c+e",
-            G="black",
-            B=["af", "zaf"],
-        )
-    fig_test.plot3d(
+
+    fig = Figure()
+    fig.plot3d(
         x=lon,
         y=lat,
         z=elev,
@@ -595,42 +430,31 @@ def test_plot3d_vectors():
         perspective=[225, 30],
         direction=(azimuth, lengths),
         region=[-2, 2, -2, 2, -2, 2],
-        projection="X4i",
+        projection="X10c",
         style="V1c+e",
         color="black",
         frame=["af", "zaf"],
     )
-    return fig_ref, fig_test
+    return fig
 
 
-@check_figures_equal()
+@pytest.mark.mpl_image_compare
 def test_plot3d_scalar_xyz():
     """
     Plot symbols given scalar x, y, z coordinates.
     """
-    fig_ref, fig_test = Figure(), Figure()
-    with GMTTempFile() as tmpfile:
-        np.savetxt(tmpfile.name, np.c_[[-1.5, 0, 1.5], [1.5, 0, -1.5], [-1.5, 0, 1.5]])
-        fig_ref.basemap(
-            R="-2/2/-2/2/-2/2", B=["xaf+lx", "yaf+ly", "zaf+lz"], Jz=2, p="225/30"
-        )
-        fig_ref.plot3d(data=tmpfile.name, S="c1c", G="red", Jz="", p="", qi=0)
-        fig_ref.plot3d(data=tmpfile.name, S="t1c", G="green", Jz="", p="", qi=1)
-        fig_ref.plot3d(data=tmpfile.name, S="s1c", G="blue", Jz="", p="", qi=2)
-
-    fig_test.basemap(
+    fig = Figure()
+    fig.basemap(
         region=[-2, 2, -2, 2, -2, 2],
         frame=["xaf+lx", "yaf+ly", "zaf+lz"],
         zscale=2,
         perspective=[225, 30],
     )
-    fig_test.plot3d(
+    fig.plot3d(
         x=-1.5, y=1.5, z=-1.5, style="c1c", color="red", zscale=True, perspective=True
     )
-    fig_test.plot3d(
-        x=0, y=0, z=0, style="t1c", color="green", zscale=True, perspective=True
-    )
-    fig_test.plot3d(
+    fig.plot3d(x=0, y=0, z=0, style="t1c", color="green", zscale=True, perspective=True)
+    fig.plot3d(
         x=1.5, y=-1.5, z=1.5, style="s1c", color="blue", zscale=True, perspective=True
     )
-    return fig_ref, fig_test
+    return fig