Define \coordinate relative to other \coordinate

Question

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?

See: http://tex.stackexchange.com/q/48756/4778, http://tex.stackexchange.com/q/3217/4778 — Alenanno, Aug 07 '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 08 '16 at 11:23
Also \path (A) +(120:1) coordinate (B); (@cfr - I assume the ++ was what you were referring to.) — John Kormylo, Aug 08 '16 at 18:07
@JohnKormylo I didn't mean that ++ wouldn't work. I meant that + will not, in fact, put the B on top of the A. ;) — cfr, Aug 08 '16 at 20:55
@cfr - That's what I thought. I prefer to use + instead of ++ whenever possible. — John Kormylo, Aug 08 '16 at 21:21

score 9 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 11 '16 at 09:35

\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}

Define \coordinate relative to other \coordinate

1 Answers1