Best way to create a continuous line between nodes in a tikz matrix

Question

This question is a follow up to Denis Bitouzé's question

Here is his code:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{tikz}
\usetikzlibrary {matrix}
\begin{document}
\begin{tikzpicture}
\matrix (magic) [matrix of nodes]
{
1-1 & 1-2 & 1-3 \
 &  &  \
3-1 & 3-2 & 3-3 \
};
\draw[red,->] (magic-1-1) |- (magic-2-2.center) -| (magic-3-3);
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{document}

I am particularly interesting in the following line of code:

\draw[red,->] (magic-1-1) |- (magic-2-2.center) -| (magic-3-3);

The second row in the matrix (mat) was created in order to draw a continuous double rotating line between the node (magic-1-1) and the node (magic-3-3). I do not want to do this since it seems like an unnecessary line of code. I also do not want to use the package that is called ext.paths.ortho. This is due to the following fact: I do not like to use too much packages in latex, since the syntax could confuse me.

I have the following clue on how to create the diagram using only original latex code:

Use the calc package to calculate the right coordinates.

My question is:

What is the best way to create a double rotating continuous line between two nodes in a tikz matrix?

Please explain: I also do not want to use the package that is called ext.paths.ortho. This is due to the following fact: Packages obscure the syntax of latex. — daleif, Jan 25 '24 at 09:48
It is difficult to learn a large amount of different syntaxes that was created by the package creators. — Daniel De Wet, Jan 25 '24 at 09:50
To me it is better to learn some basic type of syntax and stick with it. Simple syntax that I will understand. I do not want use too much package derived syntax in my code. — Daniel De Wet, Jan 25 '24 at 09:51
How is using ext.paths.ortho any different than using, say, the matrix library? — samcarter_is_at_topanswers.xyz, Jan 25 '24 at 09:52
I agree, it is the same. But you should not build package upon package upon package. Somewhere it will become very confusing to the syntax writer. — Daniel De Wet, Jan 25 '24 at 09:53
If you only want to use "original latex code", why use TikZ? It's a package, not part of the kernel. — samcarter_is_at_topanswers.xyz, Jan 25 '24 at 09:55
You can see several alternative approaches without the ext.paths.ortho library at https://tex.stackexchange.com/questions/478165/how-to-draw-tikz-paths-composed-only-of-horizontal-vertical-and-diagonal-segmen/685693#685693 — samcarter_is_at_topanswers.xyz, Jan 25 '24 at 09:58

hpekristiansen · Accepted Answer · 2024-01-25T12:25:40.300

1

\documentclass[tikz, border=1cm]{standalone}
\usetikzlibrary{matrix, calc}
\begin{document}
\begin{tikzpicture}
\matrix (magic) [matrix of nodes, nodes in empty cells=true]
{
1-1 & 1-2 & 1-3 \\
&  &  \\
3-1 & 3-2 & 3-3 \\
};
\draw[red,->] (magic-1-1) |- ($(magic-1-1)!0.5!(magic-3-3)$) -| (magic-3-3);
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{document}

Edit:

\documentclass[tikz, border=1cm]{standalone}
\usetikzlibrary{matrix, calc}
\begin{document}
\begin{tikzpicture}
\matrix (magic) [matrix of nodes]
{
1-1 & 1-2 & 1-3 \\
2-1 & 2-2 & 2-3 \\
};
\draw[red,->] ([yshift=-4]magic-1-1.center) |- ($(magic-1-1)!0.5!(magic-2-3)$) -| ([yshift=3]magic-2-3.center);
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{document}

edited Jan 25 '24 at 12:25

answered Jan 25 '24 at 10:02

hpekristiansen

37,006

Is there a way to remove the second row of the matrix? – Daniel De Wet Jan 25 '24 at 12:15
I am not completely sure of what you are asking!? - maybe like in my edit? – hpekristiansen Jan 25 '24 at 12:27

Best way to create a continuous line between nodes in a tikz matrix

1 Answers1