Learn TikZ

Getting Started

Basic Drawing

Text and Labels

Diagrams

TikZ Basic Setup

Configure your LaTeX document to use TikZ for creating graphics.

Loading the TikZ Package

To use TikZ, add the following line to your document preamble:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{tikz}

\begin{document}
  % Your TikZ drawings here
\end{document}

Loading TikZ Libraries

TikZ has many optional libraries that add extra functionality. Load them with \usetikzlibrary:

\usepackage{tikz}
\usetikzlibrary{arrows.meta}    % Modern arrow tips
\usetikzlibrary{shapes.geometric}  % More shapes
\usetikzlibrary{positioning}    % Better node positioning
\usetikzlibrary{calc}           % Coordinate calculations

% Or load multiple libraries at once:
\usetikzlibrary{arrows.meta, shapes.geometric, positioning, calc}

Essential TikZ Libraries

Library	Purpose
`arrows.meta`	Modern, customizable arrow tips
`positioning`	Relative node positioning (above, below, left, right)
`shapes.geometric`	Triangles, diamonds, trapeziums, etc.
`shapes.symbols`	Symbols and icons
`calc`	Coordinate calculations and math
`fit`	Fit nodes around other nodes
`backgrounds`	Background layers for diagrams
`patterns`	Fill patterns (hatching, dots, etc.)
`shadows`	Drop shadows for nodes
`decorations.pathreplacing`	Braces, zigzag lines, etc.

Specialized Libraries

For specific diagram types, use these specialized libraries:

% For flowcharts
\usetikzlibrary{shapes.geometric, arrows.meta}

% For mind maps
\usetikzlibrary{mindmap}

% For trees
\usetikzlibrary{trees}

% For graphs
\usetikzlibrary{graphs, graphs.standard}

% For circuit diagrams (separate package)
\usepackage{circuitikz}

% For plots (separate package)
\usepackage{pgfplots}
\pgfplotsset{compat=1.18}

Global Style Settings

Define default styles for all TikZ pictures in your document:

\usepackage{tikz}

% Set global options for all tikzpictures
\tikzset{
  every picture/.style={
    line width=0.75pt,
    >=stealth
  },
  % Define custom styles
  mybox/.style={
    draw,
    rectangle,
    rounded corners,
    minimum width=2cm,
    minimum height=1cm,
    fill=blue!20
  },
  myarrow/.style={
    ->,
    thick,
    blue
  }
}

Now use these styles in your drawings:

\begin{tikzpicture}
  \node[mybox] (a) at (0,0) {Box A};
  \node[mybox] (b) at (3,0) {Box B};
  \draw[myarrow] (a) -- (b);
\end{tikzpicture}

On Overleaf, TikZ and common libraries are pre-installed. You can start using them immediately without any additional setup.

Complete Setup Template

Here's a comprehensive template for documents with TikZ graphics:

\documentclass{article}

% TikZ package and essential libraries
\usepackage{tikz}
\usetikzlibrary{
  arrows.meta,
  positioning,
  shapes.geometric,
  calc,
  fit,
  backgrounds
}

% Global TikZ settings
\tikzset{
  every picture/.style={line width=0.75pt},
  >={Stealth[length=3mm]},
  box/.style={
    draw,
    rectangle,
    rounded corners=3pt,
    minimum width=2cm,
    minimum height=0.8cm,
    text centered
  }
}

\begin{document}

\section{My Diagram}

\begin{tikzpicture}
  \node[box, fill=blue!20] (start) {Start};
  \node[box, fill=green!20, right=2cm of start] (end) {End};
  \draw[->] (start) -- (end);
\end{tikzpicture}

\end{document}

Troubleshooting

Package not found: Make sure you have a complete TeX distribution (TeX Live or MiKTeX).
Library not found: Check the spelling and ensure the library exists. Some libraries require additional packages.
Compilation slow: TikZ can be slow for complex drawings. Consider using the external library to cache figures.

Next Steps

With TikZ set up, start learning drawing commands:

Lines and Paths - Drawing lines and custom paths
Basic Shapes - Circles, rectangles, and more
Coordinates - Understanding the coordinate system

TikZ Basic Setup

Configure your LaTeX document to use TikZ for creating graphics.

Loading the TikZ Package

To use TikZ, add the following line to your document preamble:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{tikz}

\begin{document}
  % Your TikZ drawings here
\end{document}

Loading TikZ Libraries

TikZ has many optional libraries that add extra functionality. Load them with \usetikzlibrary:

\usepackage{tikz}
\usetikzlibrary{arrows.meta}    % Modern arrow tips
\usetikzlibrary{shapes.geometric}  % More shapes
\usetikzlibrary{positioning}    % Better node positioning
\usetikzlibrary{calc}           % Coordinate calculations

% Or load multiple libraries at once:
\usetikzlibrary{arrows.meta, shapes.geometric, positioning, calc}

Essential TikZ Libraries

Library	Purpose
`arrows.meta`	Modern, customizable arrow tips
`positioning`	Relative node positioning (above, below, left, right)
`shapes.geometric`	Triangles, diamonds, trapeziums, etc.
`shapes.symbols`	Symbols and icons
`calc`	Coordinate calculations and math
`fit`	Fit nodes around other nodes
`backgrounds`	Background layers for diagrams
`patterns`	Fill patterns (hatching, dots, etc.)
`shadows`	Drop shadows for nodes
`decorations.pathreplacing`	Braces, zigzag lines, etc.

Specialized Libraries

For specific diagram types, use these specialized libraries:

% For flowcharts
\usetikzlibrary{shapes.geometric, arrows.meta}

% For mind maps
\usetikzlibrary{mindmap}

% For trees
\usetikzlibrary{trees}

% For graphs
\usetikzlibrary{graphs, graphs.standard}

% For circuit diagrams (separate package)
\usepackage{circuitikz}

% For plots (separate package)
\usepackage{pgfplots}
\pgfplotsset{compat=1.18}

Global Style Settings

Define default styles for all TikZ pictures in your document:

\usepackage{tikz}

% Set global options for all tikzpictures
\tikzset{
  every picture/.style={
    line width=0.75pt,
    >=stealth
  },
  % Define custom styles
  mybox/.style={
    draw,
    rectangle,
    rounded corners,
    minimum width=2cm,
    minimum height=1cm,
    fill=blue!20
  },
  myarrow/.style={
    ->,
    thick,
    blue
  }
}

Now use these styles in your drawings:

\begin{tikzpicture}
  \node[mybox] (a) at (0,0) {Box A};
  \node[mybox] (b) at (3,0) {Box B};
  \draw[myarrow] (a) -- (b);
\end{tikzpicture}

On Overleaf, TikZ and common libraries are pre-installed. You can start using them immediately without any additional setup.

Complete Setup Template

Here's a comprehensive template for documents with TikZ graphics:

\documentclass{article}

% TikZ package and essential libraries
\usepackage{tikz}
\usetikzlibrary{
  arrows.meta,
  positioning,
  shapes.geometric,
  calc,
  fit,
  backgrounds
}

% Global TikZ settings
\tikzset{
  every picture/.style={line width=0.75pt},
  >={Stealth[length=3mm]},
  box/.style={
    draw,
    rectangle,
    rounded corners=3pt,
    minimum width=2cm,
    minimum height=0.8cm,
    text centered
  }
}

\begin{document}

\section{My Diagram}

\begin{tikzpicture}
  \node[box, fill=blue!20] (start) {Start};
  \node[box, fill=green!20, right=2cm of start] (end) {End};
  \draw[->] (start) -- (end);
\end{tikzpicture}

\end{document}

Troubleshooting

Package not found: Make sure you have a complete TeX distribution (TeX Live or MiKTeX).
Library not found: Check the spelling and ensure the library exists. Some libraries require additional packages.
Compilation slow: TikZ can be slow for complex drawings. Consider using the external library to cache figures.

Next Steps

With TikZ set up, start learning drawing commands:

Lines and Paths - Drawing lines and custom paths
Basic Shapes - Circles, rectangles, and more
Coordinates - Understanding the coordinate system

Learn TikZ

Getting Started

Basic Drawing

Text and Labels

Diagrams

TikZ Basic Setup

Loading the TikZ Package

Loading TikZ Libraries

Essential TikZ Libraries

Specialized Libraries

Global Style Settings

Complete Setup Template

Troubleshooting

Next Steps

TikZ Basic Setup

Loading the TikZ Package

Loading TikZ Libraries

Essential TikZ Libraries

Specialized Libraries

Global Style Settings

Complete Setup Template

Troubleshooting

Next Steps

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