Math & Science ⇒ Vector arrows without italic

[Cham]

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 :

Code: Select all

\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]

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.

Code: Select all

\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}

x.png (19.44 KiB) Viewed 9212 times

[Cham]

In the last case, I prefer the arrow on "k" only, reading "variation of vector k", instead of "vector of variation of k" :

Code: Select all

\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]

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.

[Cham]

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]

It should be possible. Since the font sources are provided, a program like fontforge can be used to edit the font.