# How to shift overlaying lines that are created with pstricks?

I am using pstricks to connect entries of 4x4-matrices with lines, more precisely, I use \ncline{}{}to connect two elements of a given matrix, that I initiated with \Rnode{}{}.

I iniated a 4x4-matrix with entries 1 to 16, I want to connect 1 and 6, as well as 1 and 11, but the line between 1 and 11 overlays the line between 1 and 6, such that only the line between 1 and 11 appears on the output.

\begin{pspicture}
\begin{pmatrix}
\Rnode{1}{1} & \Rnode{2}{2} & \Rnode{3}{3} & \Rnode{4}{4} \\
\Rnode{5}{5} & \Rnode{6}{6} & \Rnode{7}{7} & \Rnode{8}{8} \\
\Rnode{9}{9} & \Rnode{10}{10} & \Rnode{11}{11} & \Rnode{12}{12} \\
\Rnode{13}{13} & \Rnode{14}{14} & \Rnode{15}{15} & \Rnode{16}{16}
\end{pmatrix}
\psset{linewidth=0.5pt, nodesep=0.5pt}
\ncline{1}{6} \ncline{1}{11}
\end{pspicture}


How can I shift one of the lines, such that two lines are visible? How can I manage the case, if three lines are overlaying in this manner?

Thanks a lot!

Here you are: you have to use the offset = key. I would do it with 3 lines, personally:

\documentclass[10pt,a4paper]{article}
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}
\usepackage{amsmath, array}
\usepackage{pst-node}
\usepackage{auto-pst-pdf}

\begin{document}

$\begin{pspicture} \begin{pmatrix} \Rnode{1}{1} & \Rnode{2}{2} & \Rnode{3}{3} & \Rnode{4}{4} \\ \Rnode{5}{5} & \Rnode{6}{6} & \Rnode{7}{7} & \Rnode{8}{8} \\ \Rnode{9}{9} & \Rnode{10}{10} & \Rnode{11}{11} & \Rnode{12}{12} \\ \Rnode{13}{13} & \Rnode{14}{14} & \Rnode{15}{15} & \Rnode{16}{16} \end{pmatrix} \psset{linewidth=0.4pt} \ncline{1}{6}\ncline{6}{11} \psset{nodesep=0.5pt, offset = 2.5pt} \ncline{6}{1} \psset{nodesepA =-1.5pt} \ncline{1}{6} \psset{nodesepB =-1pt} \ncline{6}{11}\ncline{11}{16} \end{pspicture}$

\end{document}


• Thanks, but this way I coud still not draw three lines from 1 to 6,11 and 16 (at least I don't see how). Do you know a solution? – user153906 Feb 2 '18 at 17:45
• I've updated my answer. Is it closer to what you want? – Bernard Feb 2 '18 at 18:06
• Thanks again, but I interpret your updated picture now as one line connecting 1 and 6 plus a second line connecting 1 and 16. The third line, connecting 1 and 11 is missing. In the area between 1 and 6, there would have to be 3 parallel lines. – user153906 Feb 2 '18 at 23:02
• I think I've finally understood. Please see the second update. – Bernard Feb 2 '18 at 23:23