# Why don't this two consecutive draw commands with angle generate parallel lines?

Consider the added minimal example, I was expecting it to generate two parallel lines. The ending result however is that the second line start at the end of the first in what I assume is the relative angle. I have no idea how the length is determined. I've also attached a figure of my results. So, as the title ask. Why won't this two line be parallel?

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{tikz}
\usepackage{graphicx}

\begin{document}

\begin{figure}
\begin{tikzpicture}
\draw  (-1.5,-0.1) -- (51:1.9);
\draw  (1.5,-0.1) -- (51:1.9);
\node at (-1.5,-0.1) {a};
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{figure}

\end{document}


The output of the simple code

-
The director vector is not the same so they are not parallel. –  Sigur Jul 21 '13 at 15:41
I'd need to read up on tikz' coordinate systems... going by the picture, is (51:1.9) polar w.r.t. origin? (It sounds like you want polar w.r.t. the current position.) –  Ulrich Schwarz Jul 21 '13 at 15:42
Oh now I get it. You need to put a + sign before the end point to make it relative as in +(51:1.9) –  percusse Jul 21 '13 at 15:46
Be careful. Since the point a is not the origin, the vector (51:1.9) is not the director vector to the line. –  Sigur Jul 21 '13 at 15:48
@Sigur, I've placed point a just so we'll have an easy point to discuss. –  Yotam Jul 21 '13 at 19:52

# Remarks

Note the leading + in front of the target coordinates. To receive parallel lines you have to draw a line relative the the start point. Without the +-sign you specify absolute coordinates with respect to the origin (0,0).

## Regarding Relative Coordinates

In a path you can specify relative coordinates in several manners. Let's draw a simple rectangle.

### Using explicit coordinates

The simplest way using the rectangle macro.

\draw (0,0) rectangle (1,1);


Using a line to connect the edges:

\draw (0,0) -- (1,0) -- (1,1) -- (0,1) --cycle;


### Using relative coordinates

With the rectangle macro:

\draw (0,0) rectangle +(1,1);


Using a line to connect the edges: Point preceeded by a single + are always relative to the previous declared point on the path and the pen is returned to the previous point

\draw (0,0) -- +(1,0) -- +(1,1) -- +(0,1) --cycle;


while points with two ++ are still relative the previous point on the path but the pen stays on the resulting point relative to the previous point

\draw (0,0) -- ++(1,0) -- ++(0,1) -- ++(0,-1) --cycle;


If you want to learn more about relative coordinates, review section 2.15 of the current pgfmanual.

# Implementation

\documentclass[tikz]{standalone}
\begin{document}
\begin{tikzpicture}
\draw (-1.5,-0.1) -- +(51:1.9);
\draw (1.5,-0.1)  -- +(51:1.9);
\node at (-1.5,-0.1) {a};
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{document}


# Output

-
Nice answer. You may like to add some information about the ++ syntax ... –  Tobi Jul 21 '13 at 19:52
included a small clarification, I hope you don't mind. –  percusse Jul 21 '13 at 20:29
@percusse Thanks for your improvements. You are always welcome! –  Henri Menke Jul 21 '13 at 20:31