[OS X TeX] {picture}

[Alexandru Scorpan]

Big \linethickness only works with horizontal or vertical lines.

The easiest thing to extend the picture environment is to use the new 
(Aug 2004)
	pict2e
package.  It allows for any thinkness, any slope (such as 
\line(64849,9857){10}), circles of any radius, etc.  Only works via 
pdftex or dvips, as it dumps the workload onto pdf or postscript.

Alex


> I recently had to make a series of blank boxes for a worksheet.  I
> have to say, I was rather proud of myself coming up with:
>
>
> \setlength{\unitlength}{36pt}
> \begin{picture}(1,1)
> \put(0,0){\line(0,1){1}}
> \put(0,1){\line(1,0){1}}
> \linethickness{2pt}\put(1,1){\line(0,-1){1}}
> \put(1,0){\line(-1,0){1}}
>
>
> \linethickness{1pt}
> \put(1.2,0){\line(0,1){1}}
> \put(1.2,1){\line(1,0){1}}
> \linethickness{2pt}\put(2.2,1){\line(0,-1){1}}
> \put(2.2,0){\line(-1,0){1}}
>
> \linethickness{1pt}
> \put(2.4,0){\line(0,1){1}}
> \put(2.4,1){\line(1,0){1}}
> \linethickness{2pt}\put(3.4,1){\line(0,-1){1}}
> \put(3.4,0){\line(-1,0){1}}
>
> \linethickness{1pt}
> \put(1.2,-1.2){\line(0,1){1}}
> \put(1.2,-.2){\line(1,0){1}}
> \linethickness{2pt}\put(2.2,-.2){\line(0,-1){1}}
> \put(2.2,-1.2){\line(-1,0){1}}
>
> \linethickness{1pt}
> \put(2.4,-1.2){\line(0,1){1}}
> \put(2.4,-.2){\line(1,0){1}}
> \linethickness{2pt}\put(3.4,-.2){\line(0,-1){1}}
> \put(3.4,-1.2){\line(-1,0){1}}
>
> \put(-0.2,-1.4){\line(1,0){3.8}}
> \end{picture}
>
> Considering I'd never heard of {picture} before I started this and
> never played wwith LaTeX until about a week ago, I have to say I'm
> pleased with the results.
>
> However (there had to be a howerver, of course), I want to place the
> operator in the space.  Now, a + sign is easy enough:
>
> \linethickness{4pt}
> \put(0.2,-0.7){\line(1,0){.6}}
> \put(0.5,-1){\line(0,1){.6}}
>
> and the - is straight forward.  The problem is the multiplication
> sign. If I draw a line at an angle, the linethickness seems to vanish
> and I get a 1 pixel line, which looks lousy.
>
> \linethickness{4pt}
> \put(0.2,-1){\line(1,1){0.5}}
> \put(0.7,-1){\line(-1,1){0.5}}
>
> I \emph{could} use \put(0,-1.2,{\Huge $*$} (just now figured that out,
> makes the '+' easier) but that won't look like the 'x' the kids are
> expecting and $x$ is no good either.
>
> \put(0.2,-1){\line(0.8,0.8){0.8}}
>
> OH, and no fair laughing if what I did couldbe dne 10 times better 10
> times easier, I'm onyl a week or so into this LaTeX thing.  If this is
> hideous and kludgy and would make any TeX vet run for cover,
> suggestions are welcome.  Pointing and laughing is not. :p
>
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           & FAQ: http://latex.yauh.de/faq/
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