## LaTeX forum ⇒ Math & Science ⇒ Vector arrows without italic

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Cham
Posts: 894
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2011 4:06 pm

### Vector arrows without italic

I'm experimenting with the esvect package for vector arrows, and I think its arrows are too big and fat (they're just too obvious !). I prefer smaller, i.e. more subtle arrows, like the default symbols (actually, I usually don't use an arrow on vectors : I prefer up and bold symbols without an arrow, which is the modern notation for vectors). However, the default vector arrows are drawn with an oblique or italic-like shape. Is it possible to just remove the italic styling on the default vectors ?

Here's a MWE to mess with :
\documentclass[12pt,letterpaper,twoside]{book}\usepackage{lmodern}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{tensor}\usepackage[e]{esvect} % Choice of options a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h.\newcommand{\bvec}[1]{\mathbf{#1}} \begin{document}Some nice but fat arrows from the \emph{esvect} package :	\begin{equation}		\vv{\bvec{i}} \cdot ( \vv{\bvec{j}} \times \vv{\bvec{k}} ) \ne \tensor{\vv{\bvec{u}}}{_r} = \vv*{\bvec{u}}{r} = \vv{\bvec{u}}_r.	\end{equation}The default arrows have an italic-like shape that I want to remove :	\begin{equation}		\vec{\bvec{i}} \cdot ( \vec{\bvec{j}} \times \vec{\bvec{k}} ) \ne \tensor{\vec{\bvec{u}}}{_r} = \vec{\bvec{u}}_r.	\end{equation} \end{document}

mas
Posts: 214
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:39 am
Nice observation about the default vector arrow.

I personally use the option 'd' for esvect. Using 'a' gave me a thin arrow which looks similar in thickness to the default arrow.

Another reason why I prefer esvect is when using the vector on more than one character.
\documentclass[12pt,letterpaper,twoside]{book}\usepackage{lmodern}\usepackage{amsmath}\usepackage{tensor}\usepackage[a]{esvect} % Choice of options a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h.\newcommand{\bvec}[1]{\mathbf{#1}} \begin{document}Some nice but fat arrows from the \emph{esvect} package : \begin{equation}    \vv{\bvec{i}} \cdot ( \vv{\bvec{j}} \times \vv{\bvec{k}} )     \ne \tensor{\vv{\bvec{u}}}{_r} = \vv*{\bvec{u}}{r} = \vv{\bvec{u}}_r.\end{equation} The default arrows have an italic-like shape that I want to remove : \begin{equation}    \vec{\bvec{i}} \cdot ( \vec{\bvec{j}} \times \vec{\bvec{k}} )    \ne \tensor{\vec{\bvec{u}}}{_r} = \vec{\bvec{u}}_r.\end{equation} $\vv{\delta k} \;\; \vec{\delta k}$ \end{document}

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OS: Debian/GNU Linux; LaTeX System : TeXLive; Editor : Vim

Cham
Posts: 894
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2011 4:06 pm
In the last case, I prefer the arrow on "k" only, reading "variation of vector k", instead of "vector of variation of k" :
\delta\vv{k} \;\; \delta\vec{k}

I prefer to get a constant lenght vector symbol on all mathematical expressions, than having a variable lenght. Of course, this is just a matter of taste.

While the esvect package is nice, its arrows are too long, with a large head. I prefer a smaller and more subtle arrow. See for example the effect on the unit vector "i" and "j". But I don't like much the italic shape of the default version.

mas
Posts: 214
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:39 am
Cham wrote:In the last case, I prefer the arrow on "k" only, reading "variation of vector k", instead of "vector of variation of k" :

I agree with that. Maybe choice of \delta was wrong Sometimes I need to say \vec{AB}. Then esvect helps.

While the esvect package is nice, its arrows are too long, with a large head. I prefer a smaller and more subtle arrow.

A suggestion: Maybe you can edit the esvect font to create an alternate version to suit your tastes. That would provide another alternative for vector arrows.

OS: Debian/GNU Linux; LaTeX System : TeXLive; Editor : Vim

Cham
Posts: 894
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2011 4:06 pm
Well, I don't know how to do that. Is it even possible to edit the default vector arrows, to remove its italic shape?

mas
Posts: 214
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:39 am
It should be possible. Since the font sources are provided, a program like fontforge can be used to edit the font.

OS: Debian/GNU Linux; LaTeX System : TeXLive; Editor : Vim