LaTeX Commutative function diagrams in LaTeX

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around creating commutative diagrams using LaTeX, specifically exploring alternatives to the array environment. The user expresses a desire to create both rectangular and triangular diagrams without relying on arrays. They share their attempts at using aligned environments but find the results unsatisfactory. Suggestions include using TikZ for better diagram creation, with recommendations for online editors like Overleaf and free software like TeXStudio, which supports TikZ. The user mentions a low-budget setup involving screenshot editing for diagram images, indicating a preference for manual coding over WYSIWYG editors once familiar with the syntax. Overall, the conversation highlights the challenges and solutions in diagramming with LaTeX, emphasizing the utility of TikZ for more complex visualizations.
topsquark
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TL;DR Summary
How can I make this diagram a bit nicer? And is there any way to do a triangular diagram?
I know that TikZ is probably the best way to do this but most Forums don't use it. I can make a rectangular diagram, but it's a bit clunky:
Say I have the commutative function diagram:
##\begin{array}{ccccc} ~ & ~ & f & ~ & ~ \\ ~ & A & \longrightarrow & B & ~ \\ g & \downarrow & ~ & \downarrow & h \\ ~ & C & \longrightarrow & D & ~ \\ ~ & ~ & k & ~ & ~ \end{array}##

It isn't bad but is there a way to do this without using an array? And is there any way to do a triangular diagram? ie. A to B, A to C, and B to C?

Thanks!

-Dan
 
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I managed to get this, but it was certainly not the best solution.

\begin{aligned}
\mathbb{C}^2 &\;\quad \stackrel{\operatorname{M}_g}{\longrightarrow} &\mathbb{C}^2\\
\downarrow{\chi}&&\downarrow{\chi}\\
\mathbb{R}^3 &\;\quad \stackrel{\operatorname{Ad} g}{\longrightarrow} &\mathbb{R}^3
\end{aligned}

\begin{aligned}
\mathbb{C}^2 &\;\quad \stackrel{\operatorname{M}_g}{\longrightarrow} &\mathbb{C}^2\\
\downarrow{\chi}&&\downarrow{\chi}\\
\mathbb{R}^3 &\;\quad \stackrel{\operatorname{Ad} g}{\longrightarrow} &\mathbb{R}^3
\end{aligned}
 
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fresh_42 said:
I managed to get this, but it was certainly not the best solution.

\begin{aligned}
\mathbb{C}^2 &\;\quad \stackrel{\operatorname{M}_g}{\longrightarrow} &\mathbb{C}^2\\
\downarrow{\chi}&&\downarrow{\chi}\\
\mathbb{R}^3 &\;\quad \stackrel{\operatorname{Ad} g}{\longrightarrow} &\mathbb{R}^3
\end{aligned}

\begin{aligned}
\mathbb{C}^2 &\;\quad \stackrel{\operatorname{M}_g}{\longrightarrow} &\mathbb{C}^2\\
\downarrow{\chi}&&\downarrow{\chi}\\
\mathbb{R}^3 &\;\quad \stackrel{\operatorname{Ad} g}{\longrightarrow} &\mathbb{R}^3
\end{aligned}
\downarrow{\chi} helps. I didn't know you could do that. Thanks!

Is there a way to put a ##\chi## to the right of the arrow, too?

-Dan
 
topsquark said:
Is there a way to put a χ to the right of the arrow, too?
Isn't it already to the right?
But ##{\chi}\downarrow ## ##{\chi} \downarrow ## works, too.
 
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Ever since I taught in High School I've gotten my left and right screwed up!

Thanks!

-Dan
 
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topsquark said:
I know that TikZ is probably the best way to do this
Then do it in TikZ in a WYSIWYG ## TeX ## editor and paste an image: if you don't have a ## TeX ## editor installed then use the online editor Overleaf: https://www.overleaf.com/
 
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pbuk said:
Then do it in TikZ in a WYSIWYG ## TeX ## editor and paste an image: if you don't have a ## TeX ## editor installed then use the online editor Overleaf: https://www.overleaf.com/
Well, as it happens, I have no money. But anyways, there are free editors out there. Actually, once I got the feel of the code it was easier to simply type it out rather than use the editor.
tikzit_image0.png


Thanks!

-Dan
 
topsquark said:
Well, as it happens, I have no money. But anyways, there are free editors out there. Actually, once I got the feel of the code it was easier to simply type it out rather than use the editor.
View attachment 314144

Thanks!

-Dan

I downloaded TeXStudio (https://texstudio.org/) which is perfect (and included tikz), especially in combination with AHK (https://www.autohotkey.com/download/) saves a lot of typing time.

To get an image, I take a screenshot and edit it with mspaint.exe.

This is really a low-budget scenario. I wrote a lot in this set-up.
 
Last edited:
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