# Node with curved, parallel lines

I want to create a node style, which consists of a circle with two lines (curved inwards possibly) connecting south west with south east and north west with north east.

After a bit of research, I found a way that in principle should be the solution:

\tikzset{
Vh/.style = {draw, circle, minimum size=1cm, ultra thick, text = black, path picture={%
\draw (path picture bounding box.south east) -- (path picture bounding box.north west)
(path picture bounding box.north east) -- (path picture bounding box.south west)
(path picture bounding box.north east) -- (path picture bounding box.north west)
;}}


However, for some reason, this only produces the diagonal lines. Neither vertical nor horizontal lines work with this solution. But why? Is it a bug or am I doing it wrong? Is there a nicer solution?

• Straight lines because you are using --. You need to use bend – CroCo Sep 18 '15 at 13:18
• Of course, thats the second step. However, with this code only two of the three (streight) lines show up! Curving the third one will be easier after it is showing up. – Hagadol Sep 18 '15 at 13:21
• north east to north west is the edge and the circle node inscribes that bounding box hence invisible – percusse Sep 18 '15 at 13:30

You mean this?

\documentclass[a4paper,11pt]{article}
\usepackage{tikz}

\tikzset{
Vh/.style = {draw, circle, minimum size=1cm, ultra thick, text = black, path picture={%
\draw (path picture bounding box.south east) to[bend right] (path picture bounding box.south west)
(path picture bounding box.north east) to[bend left] (path picture bounding box.north west)
;}}
}

\begin{document}
\begin{tikzpicture}
\node[Vh] {here};
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{document}


The changed lines are

\draw (path picture bounding box.south east) to[bend right] (path picture bounding box.south west)
(path picture bounding box.north east) to[bend left] (path picture bounding box.north west)


where to[bend left/right] has been used.

• Yes, thank you! Still not sure why the version I gave only produces diagonal lines but yours is working. – Hagadol Sep 18 '15 at 13:29
• Pay attention to --. It has been replaced with to[bend right]. As I said in my comment in your question. If this solves your problem, you should accept it an answer. More info, read the manual page 48 3.10 Connecting Nodes. – CroCo Sep 18 '15 at 13:30
• @Hagadol Eventhough your node is circular, it's bounding box is a square with the circle inscribed, so (path picture bounding box.north east) -- (path picture bounding box.north west) is a straight line on the edge of the square so it's "invisible" for the circular inscribed node. – Gonzalo Medina Sep 18 '15 at 13:55