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I can't seem to figure out the difference between + and ++ relative coordinates in TikZ.

I understand ++. ++ specifies delta coordinates that are added to the last current point, the current point is then set to the new absolute current point (correct?):

\draw (0,0) -- ++(1,0) -- ++(0,1) means:

set Current Point to (0,0)
add (1,0) to Current Point = (1,0)
set Current Point to (1,0)
add Current Point (1,0) to (0,1) = (1,1)
set Current Point to (1,1)

I can't seem to figure out that + does, when I try it out it looks like the coordinates in the +(x,y) are absolute coordinates rather than delta coordinates, but the manual says otherwise

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4
  • Start from here and then manual makes sense :) tex.stackexchange.com/questions/7643/…
    – percusse
    May 8, 2013 at 20:06
  • I remember reading that section of the manual but I interpreted as all +(x,y) terms are relative to the first coordinate, hence a list of +() would generate a set of lines radiating from a single point, which it doesn't. I will look more closely at the question you refer to.
    – rhody
    May 8, 2013 at 20:22
  • 1
    @rhody The pluses only affect the calculation of these relative coordinates, they do (++) or don’t update (+) the “current point for subsequent usages of relative coordinates.” The lines (or whatever is used) will always start from the last actual point. The set of lines radiating from a single point will always need a move-to operation. E.g. \draw (12,34) -- +(1,0) +(0,0) -- +(0,1) + (0,0) -- + (left:1) + (0,0) -- + (270:1) + (0,0) circle (2pt); vs. \draw (12,34) -- ++(1,0) ++(-1,0) -- ++(0,1) ++ (0,-1) -- ++ (left:1) ++ (right:1) -- ++ (270:1) ++(90:1) circle (2pt);
    – Qrrbrbirlbel
    May 8, 2013 at 20:47
  • It is also important to recognize that \draw (a,b) + (c,d) -- (e,f) + (g,h); draws a line from (a+c,b+d) to (e,f) and then moves the current point to (e+g,f+h) (here the pluses do not matter as the following coordinate is an absolute one).
    – Qrrbrbirlbel
    May 8, 2013 at 20:59

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
16

Your example:

\draw (0,0) -- ++(1,0) -- ++(0,1) means:

  • the current point is (0,0).

  • draw a line from the current point (0,0) to (0,0)+(1,0) (vector addition) and move the current point to (0,0)+(1,0).

  • next draw a line from the current point (0,0)+(1,0) to (0,0)+(1,0)+(0,1) and move the current point to (0,0)+(1,0)+(0,1).

Other examples are given as follows.

enter image description here

\documentclass[tikz,border=12pt]{standalone}

\begin{document}
\begin{tikzpicture}
    \draw (-2,-2) grid (2,2);
    \fill (110:2) circle (1pt);
    \draw (110:2) -- +(0,-1);
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{document}

Remarks for TikZ:

  • \draw (110:2) -- +(0,-1); The current point is (110:2). It draws a line from point (110:2) to point (110:2)+(0,-1) (vector addition). The current point is still at (110:2).

  • \draw (110:2) -- ++(0,-1); The current point is (110:2). It draws a line from point (110:2) to point (110:2)+(0,-1) (vector addition). The current point is moved to (110:2)+(0,-1).

  • \draw (110:2) +(0,-1) -- +(0,1); The current point is (110:2). It draws a line from point (110:2)+(0,-1) to point (110:2)+(0,1). The current point is still at (110:2).

  • \draw (110:2) ++(0,-1) -- +(0,1); The current point is (110:2)+(0,-1). It draws a line from point (110:2)+(0,-1) to point (110:2)+(0,-1)+(0,1). The current point is still at (110:2)+(0,-1).

  • \draw (110:2) ++(0,-1) -- ++(0,1); The current point is (110:2)+(0,-1). It draws a line from point (110:2)+(0,-1) to point (110:2)+(0,-1)+(0,1). The current point is moved to (110:2)+(0,-1)+(0,1) (which is equal to (110:2)).

Edit:

\draw (0,0) -- +(1,1) -- +(2,0) means

  • the current point is (0,0).

  • the first segment connecting (0,0) and (0,0)+(1,1).

  • the current point is still (0,0).

  • the second segment connecting the previous point (0,0)+(1,1) and (0,0)+(2,0).

The key is A -- B connects A and B with a line no matter how A and B are defined.

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5
  • +1; Thanks for this answer. It clears up quite a bit for me.
    – kan
    May 8, 2013 at 20:15
  • Thanks for the detailed answer. In your notation what would the following do: \draw (0,0) -- +(1,1) -- +(2,0); Does it say: Current Point is (0,0); Draw line from (0,0) to (0,0)+(1,1); Current point remains at (0,0); Draw line from (0,0) to (0,0)+(2,0); If I run this I get a triangle, not two lines radiating from (0,0)
    – rhody
    May 8, 2013 at 20:29
  • I was looking again at the example shown in tex.stackexchange.com/questions/7643/… and what seems to be happening given: \draw (0,0) -- +(1,1) -- +(2,0) Current Point is (0,0);' Draw line from (0,0) to (0,0)+(1,1)` Current Point is set to (0,0)+(1,1) Draw a line from current point (0,0)+(1,1) to the point (0,0)+(2,0)` Seems like an odd thing to do?
    – rhody
    May 8, 2013 at 20:40
  • @rhody: The current point is (0,0), draw a line from (0,0) to (0,0)+(1,1) first and draw a line from the previous point (0,0)+(1,1) to (0,0)+(2,0). A -- B connects A and B regardless of how A and B are defined.
    – kiss my armpit
    May 8, 2013 at 20:41
  • Ok, I see what its doing now, I just need to let it sink in a bit. Thanks for your help.
    – rhody
    May 8, 2013 at 20:47

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