Graphics, Figures & Tables ⇒ TikZ: macro rotation (span leg+string)

[Sundial]

It could be sometimes useful to create a unique macro which the LaTeX user may rotate the span leg with, along the embedded string, as per attachments. Thanks in advance

Code: Select all

% --------- spanleg.tex --------- Apr.28,2015 ---------
%
\documentclass[10pt]{article}
\usepackage{tikz}   
% ---
\usepackage[active,tightpage]{preview}
\PreviewEnvironment{center}
\setlength\PreviewBorder{10pt}%
% ---
\tikzstyle{load}   = [thick,-latex]
\tikzstyle{stress} = [-latex]
\tikzstyle{dim}    = [latex-latex]
\tikzstyle{axis}   = [-latex,blue!55]
% ---
\tikzstyle{two}=[x={(1cm,0cm)},y={(0cm,1cm)}] % axes scale, 1cm 


\begin{document}
\begin{center}

% =================== Start Picture =================
  \begin{tikzpicture} [two]

% -------- a) Draw Axes, blue dashed ------
    \coordinate (O) at (0,0);
     \draw[axis,two,dashed] (O) -- ++(6,0) node[right] {$x$};
     \draw[axis,two,dashed] (O) -- ++(0,6) node[above] {$y$};
%
% -------- b) Draw structural elements
   \draw[ultra thick] (0,3) -- ++(5,0);  % beam [starting point to increment]
   \draw[ultra thick] (3.5,1.5) -- ++(0,3); % cross beam
% -------- b2) Draw grid 
  \draw [step=1,blue,dotted] (0,0) grid (5,5);
% -------------------------------------------------          
%
% ------------ c2) Concentrated load
\begin{scope}[xshift=2cm, yshift=3cm, rotate=0, scale=0.5]
\draw[load,blue] (0,2) -- ++(0,-2) node[pos=0.0,right,xshift=0cm] {$P$};
\end{scope}

% x-axis dimensions [dx=3.5] - #1
\begin{scope}[xshift=0cm, yshift=1cm, rotate=0, scale=1] 
    \draw[dim] (0,0) -- ++(3.5,0) node[midway,above] {$3.5\,m$}; % beam dimension
    \draw (3.5,-0.2) -- ++(0,0.4); 
    \draw (0,-0.2) -- ++(0,0.4); 
\end{scope}    
% x-axis dimensions [dx=1.5] - #2
\begin{scope}[xshift=3.5cm, yshift=1cm, rotate=0, scale=1] 
    \draw[dim] (0,0) -- ++(1.5,0) node[midway,above] {$1.5\,m$}; % beam dimension
    \draw (1.5,-0.2) -- ++(0,0.4); 
    \draw (0,-0.2) -- ++(0,0.4); 
\end{scope}    

% test rotation caption [dx=1.5] - #3 (fails on rotation string '1.5 m')
\begin{scope}[xshift=5cm, yshift=1.5cm, rotate=90, scale=1] 
    \draw[dim] (0,0) -- ++(1.5,0) node[midway,right] {$1.5\,m$}; % col. dimension
    \draw (1.5,-0.2) -- ++(0,0.4); 
    \draw (0,-0.2) -- ++(0,0.4); 
\end{scope}    
%
\end{tikzpicture} %
% ========================= End Picture =================
% ----------------------------------------------------------
\end{center}
\end{document}
% ---- EOF: spanleg.tex ----

[Johannes_B]

Hi, unfortunately i cannot help you with the TikZ stuff, i don't have enough training.
One thing caught my attention, the italic units. According to the BIPM units are typeset upright. Package siunitx gives some more information and a great set of macros to save some time.

[Sundial]

Hi Joannes,
what I'm running to investigate is "something of slim", and specifically the simple way (if exists, as I believe) to rotate strings (not units, they could be litteral marks, l_1, d_1, etc.). That permits the LaTeX user to avoid big macros for solving easy drawbacks. Cheers.

[Sundial]

Oh yes ... end of story!

Code: Select all

% x-axis rotation [dx=1.5] - #3 
\begin{scope}[xshift=5cm, yshift=1.5cm, rotate=90, scale=1] 
    \draw[dim] (0,0)  -- ++(1.5,0) node[sloped,midway,below,rotate=90] {$1.5\,m$}; % col. dimension
    \draw (1.5,-0.2) -- ++(0,0.4); 
    \draw (0,-0.2) -- ++(0,0.4); 
\end{scope}