# Define \coordinate relative to other \coordinate

i have a tikz question. Is it possible to use relative coordinates in a \coordinate definition? I have to define a lot of coordinates and it would be much easier if i could define those relative to already defined coordinates like this:

\coordinate (A) at (0.0, 0.0);
\coordinate (B) at (A)+(120:1);


As you can see, i want to especially use the angle:length notation here. But in general i want to define the coordinate B relative to A. Is this possible?

• Use the tikz calc library, ($(A) +(120:1)$) – daleif Aug 7 '16 at 13:45
• – Alenanno Aug 7 '16 at 14:12
• Another solution without calc library: \coordinate (B) at ([shift={(120:1)}]A);. Be careful with syntax, as (120:1) uses parenthesis, it must be included into a pair of braces { (120:1)}. – Ignasi Aug 8 '16 at 11:23
• @JohnKormylo No, it wouldn't. I checked just to be sure. – cfr Aug 8 '16 at 15:26
• Also \path (A) +(120:1) coordinate (B); (@cfr - I assume the ++ was what you were referring to.) – John Kormylo Aug 8 '16 at 18:07

\coordinate is only a shorthand for \path coordinate. You may thus place coordinates along an arbitrary path which supports relative coordinates without a hassle.

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{tikz}
\begin{document}
\begin{tikzpicture}
\coordinate (A) at (0,0);
\path (A) +(120:1) coordinate (B);
% or \path (A) -- +(120:1) coordinate (B);

\draw (A) circle (2pt);
\draw (B) circle (2pt);
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{document}