# How can I position a node in the center of an arbitrary path

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{lmodern}
\usepackage{tikz,times}
\usetikzlibrary{positioning}

\begin{document}

\begin{tikzpicture}[scale=.3]
\draw [thick] (0,6) rectangle (18,4) node [pos=.5] {like this};

\draw [thick] (0,2) -- (18,2) -- (18,0) -- (0,0) -- cycle;
%\draw [thick] (0,2) -- (18,2) -- (18,0) -- (0,0) -- cycle node [pos=.5] {A};

\draw [thick] (0,-3) -- (4, -3) -- (5, -5) -- (-1, -5) -- (3, -4) -- cycle;
%\draw [thick] (0,-3) -- (4, -3) -- (5, -5) -- (-1, -5) -- (3, -4) -- cycle node [pos=.5] {B};
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{document}


In this document i have three paths. the first is a simple rectangle where positioning a node in the center is easy (node [pos=.5] {like this}). However when it comes to doing this for any path i am unable to do it.

How do i get a node that is centered. Optionally, one that is also inside the path, though this would not be as important.

-
Do you want the node appear in the center of a shape or half the way along the path? –  Tobi Feb 8 '13 at 14:24
In the center of a shape. –  Johannes Feb 8 '13 at 14:37
See my answer below. It seems possible to get the center of a rectangle surrounding all points but that isn’t necessarily the “center of mass” –  Tobi Feb 8 '13 at 14:38

The pos option (or midway) referres alway to the last two given coordinates, i.e. in a path (0,0) -- (1,2) -- (3,-1) with the node at the end it will be centered on the line between (1,2) and (3,-1):

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{tikz}

\begin{document}
\begin{tikzpicture}
\draw (0,0) -- (1,2) -- (3,-1) node [pos=0.5, fill=red] {x};
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{document}


To center a node in a shape with more edges you may use a hint: Create the path and then let a node fit all it’s coordinates (using the fit library). The content of this node will be centered in a rectangle (add draw=red to the node to see it) surrounding all given coordinates:

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{tikz}
\usetikzlibrary{fit}

\begin{document}
\begin{tikzpicture}
\draw (-1,2) -- (5,2) -- (3,0) -- (0,0) -- cycle;
\node [fit={(-1,2) (5,2) (3,0) (0,0)}] {x};
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{document}


In some cases it could be an alternativ to use the shape library and set the dimensions to a node instead of using coordinates. To get the exact dimensions use inner sep=0pt additionally, otherwise the size will be advanced by the value of inner sep, which is 0.3333em ba default

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{tikz}
\usetikzlibrary{shapes.geometric}

\begin{document}
\begin{tikzpicture}
\node [minimum width=2cm, minimum height=1cm,draw] {x};
\node at (3,0) [minimum width=2cm, minimum height=1cm,draw,trapezium] {x};
\node at (6,0) [minimum width=2cm, minimum height=1cm,draw,ellipse] {x};
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{document}


When you use a node it is even possible to align another node on top of it by giving the first one a name:

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{tikz}
\usetikzlibrary{shapes.geometric}

\begin{document}
\begin{tikzpicture}
\node (my node) [minimum width=2cm, minimum height=1cm,draw] {x};
\node at (my node) [minimum width=1cm, minimum height=1cm,draw,circle] {X};
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{document}


-
fit fits my needs :). Thanks –  Johannes Feb 8 '13 at 14:37
If you want a path with a geometric shape it’s maybe better to use a shaped node with a given width. See my edit. –  Tobi Feb 8 '13 at 14:41