Getting ready

To compile the recipes in this chapter, ensure you have TikZ installed. Note that while TikZ is the common name, the actual package name is pgf, which you can locate in your LaTeX installation’s package manager. To work with this book, you need version 3.0 or later.

Many of the recipes also utilize additional packages alongside TikZ. Be sure to have each mentioned package installed when starting a recipe. In any case, I recommend a complete TeX installation.

To provide numerous complete and usable recipes in this graphics chapter, we won’t delve into the basics of TikZ commands. You can always refer to the reference manual to learn about them. I assume you have some familiarity with nodes, edges, and styles, but feel free to consult the manual when you need a deeper understanding of these concepts. However, I will provide detailed explanations of how the recipes function.

For more in-depth customization and understanding, keep the TikZ manual readily...