> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://overleaf-pro.ayaka.space/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://overleaf-pro.ayaka.space/latex/figures-and-tables/04-picture-environment.md).
# Drawing Diagrams Directly in LaTeX
## Introduction
LaTeX’s built-in `picture` environment can be used to create diagrams/figures—you don’t *need* to load any external packages to use it, but packages such as [`pict2e`](https://ctan.org/pkg/pict2e?lang=en) and [`picture`](https://ctan.org/pkg/picture) have been written to enhance or improve its features.
This article provides a concise introduction to the `picture` environment and all examples use the [`pict2e` package](https://ctan.org/pkg/pict2e?lang=en). More extensive documentation and a range of helpful examples are readily available within the following resources:
* [LaTeX2e unofficial reference manual](https://latexref.xyz/picture.html)
* [The Not So Short Introduction to LaTeX2ε](https://tobi.oetiker.ch/lshort/lshort.pdf) (see Chapter 5)
* [Wikibooks](https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/LaTeX/Picture)
* [questions tagged `picture-mode` on tex.stackexchange](https://tex.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/picture-mode)
* [`pict2e` package documentation](https://mirror.ox.ac.uk/sites/ctan.org/macros/latex/contrib/pict2e/pict2e.pdf)
When compared to powerful and sophisticated graphics tools such as [TikZ/PGF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PGF/TikZ), [MetaPost](https://tug.org/metapost.html), [PSTricks](https://ctan.org/topic/pstricks?lang=en) or [Asymptote](https://ctan.org/pkg/asymptote?lang=en) the `picture` environment may seem quite limited but, from time-to-time, it might be sufficient for what you need to do.
## Creating a new picture
Creating a new picture usually involves the following steps:
1. define the size of the drawing units you wish to use;
2. declare a `picture` environment which defines the picture size;
3. draw the individual graphic components using the `\put`, `\multiput` or `\qbezier` commands.
### Define the size of the drawing units
To create a picture you normally start by setting the *drawing units* via the command `\unitlength`, which must be used outside a `picture` environment. For example, if you write
```latex
\setlength{\unitlength}{1cm}
```
the drawing units would be interpreted as multiples of 1cm. The default unit is 1pt.
### Define the size of your picture
The general form of the `picture` environment is as follows
```latex
\begin{picture}(width, height)(Xoffset, Yoffset)
...
\end{picture}
```
where
* `width` and `height` are values, in units of `\unitlength`, which define the size of the picture. LaTeX uses these values to create a box whose dimensions are
* box (picture) width = `width` × `\unitlength`
* box (picture) height = `height` × `\unitlength`
* `(Xoffset, Yoffset)` is an optional coordinate which sets the origin (bottom-left corner) of the picture, expressed as an *offset* relative to the default location. `Xoffset` and `Yoffset` are also expressed in units determined by the current value of `\unitlength`.
Note that `Xoffset` and `Yoffset` do not affect the amount of space that LaTeX reserves; i.e., the box dimensions.
#### Understanding the picture dimensions
We’ll create two pictures, both using `\setlength{\unitlength}{1cm}` and each with a `width` and `height` of 3 units.
The first picture uses the default origin of `(0,0)`:
```latex
\begin{picture}(3,3)
...
\end{picture}
```
the second picture offsets (shifts) the origin by `(1,1)`:
```latex
\begin{picture}(3,3)(1,1)
...
\end{picture}
```
### Drawing graphics
Graphics are created using a sequence of `\put`, `\multiput`, or `\qbezier` commands which produce the individual “components” (or “objects”) from which the picture or illustration is constructed:
* `\put(x, y){*component*}` draws the `*component*` at location `(x, y)`.
* `\multiput(x, y)(dx, dy){n}{*component*}` draws the `*component*` `n` times: starting at location `(x, y)` and repeatedly translating by `(dx, dy)` to redraw the `*component*`.
* `\qbezier[n](x1, y1)(x, y)(x2, y2)`: draws a [quadratic Bézier curve](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%A9zier_curve#Quadratic_B%C3%A9zier_curves) where:
* `n` an optional integer which determines the number of points used plot/produce the curve
* `(x1, y1)` is the curve’s start point
* `(x2, y2)` is the curve’s end point
* `(x, y)` denotes the (quadratic) Bézier curve control point
A `*component*` is a graphical element usually produced using graphics primitives such as `\line`, `\oval`, `\circle`, `\vector` and so forth—see the [LaTeX2e unofficial reference manual](https://latexref.xyz/picture.html) or [The Not So Short Introduction to LaTeX2ε](https://tobi.oetiker.ch/lshort/lshort.pdf) (Chapter 5) for details of the available primitives.
**Note**: The [`pict2e` package](https://mirror.ox.ac.uk/sites/ctan.org/macros/latex/contrib/pict2e/pict2e.pdf) extends the original `picture` environment to provide several commands for drawing Bézier curves: `\bezier`, `\qbezier`, `\cbezier` and `\qbeziermax`.
### Understanding the offset and origin
In the following examples the `\put` command is used to draw coloured dots which indicate key coordinates (positions) in the graphic. Both examples use LaTeX’s `\fbox` command to draw a border around the box LaTeX created to contain our picture, showing the *bounding box* of the graphic.
**Example 1: Using the default origin**
```latex
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[pdftex]{pict2e}
\usepackage[dvipsnames]{xcolor}
\begin{document}
\setlength{\unitlength}{1cm}
\setlength{\fboxsep}{0pt}
This is my picture\fbox{%
\begin{picture}(3,3)
\put(0,0){{\color{blue}\circle*{0.25}}\hbox{\kern3pt \texttt{(0,0)}}}
\put(3,3){{\color{red}\circle*{0.25}}\hbox{\kern3pt \texttt{(3,3)}}}
\end{picture}}
\end{document}
```
[Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=understanding+picture+dimensions+example+1\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bpdftex%5D%7Bpict2e%7D%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bdvipsnames%5D%7Bxcolor%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%5Csetlength%7B%5Cunitlength%7D%7B1cm%7D%0A%5Csetlength%7B%5Cfboxsep%7D%7B0pt%7D%0A%0AThis+is+my+picture%5Cfbox%7B%25%0A%5Cbegin%7Bpicture%7D%283%2C3%29%0A%5Cput%280%2C0%29%7B%7B%5Ccolor%7Bblue%7D%5Ccircle%2A%7B0.25%7D%7D%5Chbox%7B%5Ckern3pt+%5Ctexttt%7B%280%2C0%29%7D%7D%7D%0A%5Cput%283%2C3%29%7B%7B%5Ccolor%7Bred%7D%5Ccircle%2A%7B0.25%7D%7D%5Chbox%7B%5Ckern3pt+%5Ctexttt%7B%283%2C3%29%7D%7D%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bpicture%7D%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D)
This example produces the following output:
The `\fbox` command draws a border around the bounding box of the graphic, showing the space (area) reserved by LaTeX:
* picture width = `width` × `\unitlength` = 3 × 1cm = 3cm.
* picture height = `height` × `\unitlength` = 3 × 1cm = 3cm.
The first example shows that the origin, `(0,0)`, is at the point the `\begin{picture}` command was executed, immediately after the text “This is my picture”. In addition, the top-right corner is at position `(3,3)`, the `(width,height)` values provided to `\begin{picture}(3,3)`.
**Example 2: Shifting the origin by (1,1)**
```latex
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[pdftex]{pict2e}
\usepackage[dvipsnames]{xcolor}
\begin{document}
\setlength{\unitlength}{1cm}
\setlength{\fboxsep}{0pt}
This is my picture\fbox{%
\begin{picture}(3,3)(1,1)
\put(0,0){{\color{blue}\circle*{0.25}}\hbox{\kern3pt\texttt{(0,0)}}}
\put(1,1){{\color{orange}\circle*{0.25}}\hbox{\kern3pt\texttt{(1,1)}}}
\put(3,3){{\color{red}\circle*{0.25}}\hbox{\kern3pt\texttt{(3,3)}}}
\put(4,4){{\color{black}\circle*{0.25}}\hbox{\kern3pt\texttt{(4,4)}}}
\end{picture}}
\end{document}
```
[Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=understanding+picture+dimensions+example+2\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bpdftex%5D%7Bpict2e%7D%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bdvipsnames%5D%7Bxcolor%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%5Csetlength%7B%5Cunitlength%7D%7B1cm%7D%0A%5Csetlength%7B%5Cfboxsep%7D%7B0pt%7D%0A%0AThis+is+my+picture%5Cfbox%7B%25%0A%5Cbegin%7Bpicture%7D%283%2C3%29%281%2C1%29%0A%5Cput%280%2C0%29%7B%7B%5Ccolor%7Bblue%7D%5Ccircle%2A%7B0.25%7D%7D%5Chbox%7B%5Ckern3pt%5Ctexttt%7B%280%2C0%29%7D%7D%7D%0A%5Cput%281%2C1%29%7B%7B%5Ccolor%7Borange%7D%5Ccircle%2A%7B0.25%7D%7D%5Chbox%7B%5Ckern3pt%5Ctexttt%7B%281%2C1%29%7D%7D%7D%0A%5Cput%283%2C3%29%7B%7B%5Ccolor%7Bred%7D%5Ccircle%2A%7B0.25%7D%7D%5Chbox%7B%5Ckern3pt%5Ctexttt%7B%283%2C3%29%7D%7D%7D%0A%5Cput%284%2C4%29%7B%7B%5Ccolor%7Bblack%7D%5Ccircle%2A%7B0.25%7D%7D%5Chbox%7B%5Ckern3pt%5Ctexttt%7B%284%2C4%29%7D%7D%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bpicture%7D%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D)
This example produces the following output:
The second example shows the effects of shifting the origin and highlights some key points:
* the border created by `\fbox` shows that the bounding box of the graphic, the width and height of the box created by LaTeX, is *unaffected* by shifting the origin: it is still determined by the `(width,height)` values provided to `\begin{picture}(3,3)(1,1)`
* picture width = `width` × `\unitlength` = 3 × 1cm = 3cm
* picture height = `height` × `\unitlength` = 3 × 1cm = 3cm
* the drawing elements are not restricted (clipped) to the area (bounding box dimensions) created by LaTeX. For example, the blue dot and `(0,0)` coordinate are drawn outside the boundary line produced by `\fbox`, which indicates the bounding box.
* It is up to the user to ensure the drawing elements stay within the bounding box and do not overlay any surrounding text.
* the origin, `(0,0)`, is *no longer* located immediately after the text “This is my picture”, at the point the `\begin{picture}` command was executed: the origin is now shifted 1 unit to the left and 1 unit downwards
* the top-right corner is now at position `(4,4)`
## Examples of the picture environment
### Examples from the LaTeX2e unofficial reference manual
The [LaTeX2e unofficial reference manual](https://latexref.xyz/picture.html) contains a number of `picture` environment examples, some of which are reproduced here together with links which open them in Overleaf, allowing you to edit and explore the code.
#### Example 1: the \vector command
```latex
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[pdftex]{pict2e}
\begin{document}
\setlength{\unitlength}{1cm}
\begin{picture}(6,6) % picture box will be 6cm wide by 6cm tall
\put(0,0){\vector(2,1){4}} % for every 2 over this vector goes 1 up
\put(2,1){\makebox(0,0)[l]{\ first leg}}
\put(4,2){\vector(1,2){2}}
\put(5,4){\makebox(0,0)[l]{\ second leg}}
\put(0,0){\vector(1,1){6}}
\put(3,3){\makebox(0,0)[r]{sum\ }}
\end{picture}
\end{document}
```
[Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=picture+environment+example\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bpdftex%5D%7Bpict2e%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%5Csetlength%7B%5Cunitlength%7D%7B1cm%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bpicture%7D%286%2C6%29++++++%25+picture+box+will+be+6cm+wide+by+6cm+tall%0A++%5Cput%280%2C0%29%7B%5Cvector%282%2C1%29%7B4%7D%7D++%25+for+every+2+over+this+vector+goes+1+up%0A++++%5Cput%282%2C1%29%7B%5Cmakebox%280%2C0%29%5Bl%5D%7B%5C+first+leg%7D%7D%0A++%5Cput%284%2C2%29%7B%5Cvector%281%2C2%29%7B2%7D%7D%0A++++%5Cput%285%2C4%29%7B%5Cmakebox%280%2C0%29%5Bl%5D%7B%5C+second+leg%7D%7D++%0A++%5Cput%280%2C0%29%7B%5Cvector%281%2C1%29%7B6%7D%7D%0A++++%5Cput%283%2C3%29%7B%5Cmakebox%280%2C0%29%5Br%5D%7Bsum%5C+%7D%7D++%0A%5Cend%7Bpicture%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D)
This example produces the following output:
#### Example 2: the \qbezier, \line, \vector, \thinlines and \thicklines commands
Note how the `\qbezier` command *is not* used within `\put{...}` whereas other primitive commands, such as `\line`, `\vector` *are* used within `\put{...}`.
```latex
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[pdftex]{pict2e}
\begin{document}
\setlength{\unitlength}{1cm}
\begin{picture}(8,4)
\thinlines % Start with thin lines
\put(0,0){\vector(1,0){8}} % x axis
\put(0,0){\vector(0,1){4}} % y axis
\put(2,0){\line(0,1){3}} % left side
\put(4,0){\line(0,1){3.5}} % right side
\thicklines % Use thicker lines for the \qbezier commands
\qbezier(2,3)(2.5,2.9)(3,3.25)
\qbezier(3,3.25)(3.5,3.6)(4,3.5)
\thinlines % Back to using thin lines
\put(2,3){\line(4,1){2}}
\put(4.5,2.5){\framebox{Trapezoidal Rule}}
\end{picture}
\end{document}
```
[Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=qbezier+picture+environment+example\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bpdftex%5D%7Bpict2e%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%5Csetlength%7B%5Cunitlength%7D%7B1cm%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bpicture%7D%288%2C4%29%0A++%5Cthinlines+%25+Start+with+thin+lines%0A++%5Cput%280%2C0%29%7B%5Cvector%281%2C0%29%7B8%7D%7D++%25+x+axis%0A++%5Cput%280%2C0%29%7B%5Cvector%280%2C1%29%7B4%7D%7D++%25+y+axis%0A++%5Cput%282%2C0%29%7B%5Cline%280%2C1%29%7B3%7D%7D++++%25+left+side%0A++%5Cput%284%2C0%29%7B%5Cline%280%2C1%29%7B3.5%7D%7D++%25+right+side%0A++%5Cthicklines+%25+Use+thicker+lines+for+the+%5Cqbezier+commands%0A++%5Cqbezier%282%2C3%29%282.5%2C2.9%29%283%2C3.25%29%0A++%5Cqbezier%283%2C3.25%29%283.5%2C3.6%29%284%2C3.5%29%0A++%5Cthinlines+%25+Back+to+using+thin+lines%0A++%5Cput%282%2C3%29%7B%5Cline%284%2C1%29%7B2%7D%7D%0A++%5Cput%284.5%2C2.5%29%7B%5Cframebox%7BTrapezoidal+Rule%7D%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bpicture%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D)
This example produces the following output:
#### Example 3: the \multiput and \linethickness commands
```latex
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[pdftex]{pict2e}
\begin{document}
\setlength{\unitlength}{1cm}
\thicklines
\begin{picture}(10,10)
\linethickness{0.05mm}
\multiput(0,0)(1,0){10}{\line(0,1){10}}
\multiput(0,0)(0,1){10}{\line(1,0){10}}
\linethickness{0.5mm}
\multiput(0,0)(5,0){3}{\line(0,1){10}}
\multiput(0,0)(0,5){3}{\line(1,0){10}}
\end{picture}
\end{document}
```
[Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=multiput+command+picture+environment+example\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bpdftex%5D%7Bpict2e%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%5Csetlength%7B%5Cunitlength%7D%7B1cm%7D%0A%5Cthicklines%0A%5Cbegin%7Bpicture%7D%2810%2C10%29%0A++%5Clinethickness%7B0.05mm%7D%0A++%5Cmultiput%280%2C0%29%281%2C0%29%7B10%7D%7B%5Cline%280%2C1%29%7B10%7D%7D+%0A++%5Cmultiput%280%2C0%29%280%2C1%29%7B10%7D%7B%5Cline%281%2C0%29%7B10%7D%7D%0A++%5Clinethickness%7B0.5mm%7D%0A++%5Cmultiput%280%2C0%29%285%2C0%29%7B3%7D%7B%5Cline%280%2C1%29%7B10%7D%7D%0A++%5Cmultiput%280%2C0%29%280%2C5%29%7B3%7D%7B%5Cline%281%2C0%29%7B10%7D%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bpicture%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D)
This example produces the following output:
### Other examples
#### A basic Bézier curve
The following example uses the `\qbezier` command to draw a Bézier curve:
```latex
\qbezier(1,1)(5,5)(9,0.5)
```
Note the following:
* the `\qbezier` command is not used within a `\put` command
* the Bézier curve start point is `(1,1)`
* the Bézier curve end point is `(9,0.5)`
* the Bézier curve control point is `(5,5)`
* we do not use the optional integer which determines the number of points used plot/produce the Bézier curve
```latex
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[pdftex]{pict2e}
\begin{document}
\setlength{\unitlength}{0.8cm}
\begin{picture}(10,5)
\thicklines
\qbezier(1,1)(5,5)(9,0.5)
\put(2,1){{Bézier curve}}
\end{picture}
\end{document}
```
[Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=multiput+command+picture+environment+example\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bpdftex%5D%7Bpict2e%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%5Csetlength%7B%5Cunitlength%7D%7B0.8cm%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bpicture%7D%2810%2C5%29%0A%5Cthicklines%0A%5Cqbezier%281%2C1%29%285%2C5%29%289%2C0.5%29%0A%5Cput%282%2C1%29%7B%7BB%C3%A9zier+curve%7D%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bpicture%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D)
This example produces the following output:
#### Ovals, lines and circles
The following example demonstrates the `\line`, `\circle` and `\oval` commands and—note how they *are* all used within the `\put{...}` command:
```latex
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[pdftex]{pict2e}
\begin{document}
\setlength{\unitlength}{1cm}
\thicklines
\begin{picture}(10,6)
\put(2,2.2){\line(1,0){6}}
\put(2,2.2){\circle{2}}
\put(6,2.2){\oval(4,2)[r]}
\end{picture}
\end{document}
```
[Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=picture+environment+example\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bpdftex%5D%7Bpict2e%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%5Csetlength%7B%5Cunitlength%7D%7B1cm%7D%0A%5Cthicklines%0A%5Cbegin%7Bpicture%7D%2810%2C6%29%0A%5Cput%282%2C2.2%29%7B%5Cline%281%2C0%29%7B6%7D%7D%0A%5Cput%282%2C2.2%29%7B%5Ccircle%7B2%7D%7D%0A%5Cput%286%2C2.2%29%7B%5Coval%284%2C2%29%5Br%5D%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bpicture%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D)
This example produces the following output:
Below is a description of the commands:
* `\put(2,2.2){\line(1,0){6}}`: draws a line `6` units long using the “direction vector” `(1,0)`
* `\put(6,2.2){\oval(4,2)[r]}`: draws an oval centred in the point `(4,2)`. The parameter `[r]` is optional, you can use `r`, `l`, `t` and `b` to show the right, left, top or bottom part of the oval.
* `\put(2,2.2){\circle{2}}`: draws a circle centred at the point `(2,2.2)` and whose diameter is `2`.
#### Combining lines, circles and text
Different basic elements can be combined to create more complex pictures. In this example several lines and circles are combined to create a picture, together with text to label the points:
```latex
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[pdftex]{pict2e}
\begin{document}
\setlength{\unitlength}{0.8cm}
\begin{picture}(12,4)
\thicklines
\put(8,3.3){{\footnotesize $3$-simplex}}
\put(9,3){\circle*{0.1}}
\put(8.3,2.9){$a_2$}
\put(8,1){\circle*{0.1}}
\put(7.7,0.5){$a_0$}
\put(10,1){\circle*{0.1}}
\put(9.7,0.5){$a_1$}
\put(11,1.66){\circle*{0.1}}
\put(11.1,1.5){$a_3$}
\put(9,3){\line(3,-2){2}}
\put(10,1){\line(3,2){1}}
\put(8,1){\line(1,0){2}}
\put(8,1){\line(1,2){1}}
\put(10,1){\line(-1,2){1}}
\end{picture}
\end{document}
```
[Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=understanding+picture+dimensions+example+1\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bpdftex%5D%7Bpict2e%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%5Csetlength%7B%5Cunitlength%7D%7B0.8cm%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bpicture%7D%2812%2C4%29%0A%5Cthicklines%0A%5Cput%288%2C3.3%29%7B%7B%5Cfootnotesize+%243%24-simplex%7D%7D%0A%5Cput%289%2C3%29%7B%5Ccircle%2A%7B0.1%7D%7D%0A%5Cput%288.3%2C2.9%29%7B%24a_2%24%7D%0A%5Cput%288%2C1%29%7B%5Ccircle%2A%7B0.1%7D%7D%0A%5Cput%287.7%2C0.5%29%7B%24a_0%24%7D%0A%5Cput%2810%2C1%29%7B%5Ccircle%2A%7B0.1%7D%7D%0A%5Cput%289.7%2C0.5%29%7B%24a_1%24%7D%0A%5Cput%2811%2C1.66%29%7B%5Ccircle%2A%7B0.1%7D%7D%0A%5Cput%2811.1%2C1.5%29%7B%24a_3%24%7D%0A%5Cput%289%2C3%29%7B%5Cline%283%2C-2%29%7B2%7D%7D%0A%5Cput%2810%2C1%29%7B%5Cline%283%2C2%29%7B1%7D%7D%0A%5Cput%288%2C1%29%7B%5Cline%281%2C0%29%7B2%7D%7D%0A%5Cput%288%2C1%29%7B%5Cline%281%2C2%29%7B1%7D%7D%0A%5Cput%2810%2C1%29%7B%5Cline%28-1%2C2%29%7B1%7D%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bpicture%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D)
This example produces the following output:
Here is a summary of some commands used:
* `\thicklines`: this increases the thickness of the lines. The `\thinlines` command has the opposite effect.
* `\put(8,3.3){{\footnotesize $3$-simplex}}`: the text “3-simplex” is inserted at the point `(8,3.3)`, the font size is set to `\footnotesize`. The same command is used to label each point.
* `\put(9,3){\circle*{0.1}}`: this draws a filled circle, centred at `(9,3)` with a small diameter of `0.1` (drawing unit) so it can be used as a point.
* `\put(10,1){\line(3,2){1}}`: creates a straight line starting at `(10,1)` and drawn in the direction of `(3,2)` with a length of 1 (drawing unit).
#### Using arrows
Arrows can also be used inside a `picture` environment so here is a second example:
```latex
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[pdftex]{pict2e}
\begin{document}
\setlength{\unitlength}{0.20mm}
\begin{picture}(400,250)
\put(75,10){\line(1,0){130}}
\put(75,50){\line(1,0){130}}
\put(75,200){\line(1,0){130}}
\put(120,200){\vector(0,-1){150}}
\put(190,200){\vector(0,-1){190}}
\put(97,120){$\alpha$}
\put(170,120){$\beta$}
\put(220,195){upper state}
\put(220,45){lower state 1}
\put(220,5){lower state 2}
\end{picture}
\end{document}
```
[Open this example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=pdflatex\&snip_name=Example+of+arrows+in+LaTeX+picture+environment\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%7Barticle%7D%0A%5Cusepackage%5Bpdftex%5D%7Bpict2e%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%5Csetlength%7B%5Cunitlength%7D%7B0.20mm%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bpicture%7D%28400%2C250%29%0A%5Cput%2875%2C10%29%7B%5Cline%281%2C0%29%7B130%7D%7D%0A%5Cput%2875%2C50%29%7B%5Cline%281%2C0%29%7B130%7D%7D%0A%5Cput%2875%2C200%29%7B%5Cline%281%2C0%29%7B130%7D%7D%0A%5Cput%28120%2C200%29%7B%5Cvector%280%2C-1%29%7B150%7D%7D%0A%5Cput%28190%2C200%29%7B%5Cvector%280%2C-1%29%7B190%7D%7D%0A%5Cput%2897%2C120%29%7B%24%5Calpha%24%7D%0A%5Cput%28170%2C120%29%7B%24%5Cbeta%24%7D%0A%5Cput%28220%2C195%29%7Bupper+state%7D%0A%5Cput%28220%2C45%29%7Blower+state+1%7D%0A%5Cput%28220%2C5%29%7Blower+state+2%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bpicture%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D)
This example produces the following output:
The `\vector` command uses the same syntax as `\line`:
* `\put(120,200){\vector(0,-1){150}}`: draws a vector whose start point is `(120,200)`, length is `150` and the drawing direction is `(0,-1)`.
## Further reading
For more information see the following resources:
* [LaTeX2e unofficial reference manual](https://latexref.xyz/picture.html)
* [The Not So Short Introduction to LaTeX2ε](https://tobi.oetiker.ch/lshort/lshort.pdf) (see Chapter 5)
* [Wikibooks](https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/LaTeX/Picture)
* [questions tagged `picture-mode` on tex.stackexchange](https://tex.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/picture-mode)
* [`pict2e` package documentation](https://mirror.ox.ac.uk/sites/ctan.org/macros/latex/contrib/pict2e/pict2e.pdf)
* [TikZ package](/latex/figures-and-tables/05-tikz-package.md)
* [Pgfplots package](/latex/field-specific/08-pgfplots-package.md)
* [Positioning images and tables](/latex/figures-and-tables/02-positioning-images-and-tables.md)
* [Lists of tables and figures](/latex/figures-and-tables/03-lists-of-tables-and-figures.md)
---
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