Routing System

Neural Sketch's routing system is a sophisticated yet intuitive framework designed to effortlessly manage complex connections in diagrams. From simple lines to intricate, multi-path diagrams, this system ensures visual clarity, seamless intersections, and elegant routing.

Getting Started with Routing

Neural Sketch simplifies diagram connections with intuitive commands:

Basic Connection

Establish a straightforward connection between two blocks:

\nskBlock[id=A, text-center=A]
\nskBlock[id=B, pos={right=2cm of A}, text-center=B]
 
\nskConnect[from=A.east, to=B.west]

Arrow Styling

Customize arrows for clarity and emphasis:

\nskConnect[
  from=cblock.east,
  to=dblock.west,
  arrow-style={ultra thick, ->},
]

Arrow-tip Styling

Neural Sketch allows you to precisely customize arrow-tips independently from line styles. Using the arrow-tip property, you can adjust the arrowhead shape without affecting line attributes such as thickness, dash patterns, or curves.

This helps keep your diagrams clear and visually consistent.

Basic Example

Here’s how to define a specific arrow-tip style:

\nskConnect[
  from=blockA.east,
  to=blockB.west,
  arrow-tip={-Stealth},
]

Advanced Arrow-tip Options

Arrow-tips can accept additional TikZ customization directly through options:

\nskConnect[from=a, to=b, arrow-tip={->.>.>[sep=3mm] . Circle}]

Comprehensive Arrow-tip Styles

Neural Sketch fully supports all advanced arrow-tip designs available in TikZ:

Example: Displaying All Arrow-tip Styles

\foreach \t [count=\c from 1] in {
  Stealth, Latex, Arc Barb, Bar, Bracket, Hooks, Parenthesis, Straight Barb,
  Tee Barb, To, Circle, Diamond, Ellipse, Kite, Rectangle, Square, Triangle,
  Turned Square, Rays, Rays[n=8]
}{
  \nskCoord[id=ms, y=0, x=.7*\c, marker=x]
  \nskCoord[id=me, y=1.5, x=.7*\c, marker=o]
  \nskConnect[from=ms, to=me, arrow-tip=-\t]
}

Line Cap Styles

By default, \nskConnect paths feature round line caps, offering smooth and visually pleasing terminations. Nonetheless, Neural Sketch allows choosing any supported TikZ line cap:

Example: Custom Line Caps

\foreach \t [count=\c from 1] in {
  -Butt Cap[], -Round Cap[], -Round Cap[].Fast Round[].Fast Round[],
  -Triangle Cap, -Triangle Cap[].Fast Triangle[].Fast Triangle[]
}{
  \nskCoord[id=ms, y=0, x=.7*\c, marker=x]
  \nskCoord[id=me, y=1.5, x=.7*\c, marker=o]
  \nskConnect[from=ms, to=me, arrow-tip={\t}]
}

Advanced Routing Features

Flexible Bend Types

Control the curvature and angles of your connections.

\nskBlock[
  type=circle,
  id=ablock,
  text-center=A,
]
\nskBlock[
  type=rectangle,
  id=bblock,
  text-center=B,
  pos={above right=1cm of ablock},
]
\nskConnect[
  from=ablock.east,
  to=bblock.south,
  bend-type=single,
  bend-direction=down,
]

Automatic Intersection Handling

Neural Sketch elegantly handles intersecting paths, ensuring clear and readable diagrams by automatically generating bridging arcs.

Bridging Arcs (Arrow Hopping)

Activate bridging to visually distinguish crossing paths:

\nskConnect[
  from=A.east,
  to=B.west,
  bridging=true,
  bridging-style=over
]
 
\nskDoBridging

Bridging Options

Fine-tune bridging behavior with these customizable options:

Custom Bend and Routing Angles

Gain precise control over connection angles and curves:

\nskAngledc[dir=down, alpha=60]
\nskConnect[
  from=A.south,
  to=node.west,
  route={to[out=\o, in=\i]},
  arrow-style={ultra thick, stealth-},
  shorten-from=2mm
]

\nskAngledc[dir=down, alpha=60]

\nskAngledc[dir=left, alpha=60]

Smooth Corner Radius

Enhance aesthetics with rounded corners on connections:

\nskConnect[
  from=A.east,
  to=B.west,
  corner-radius=5mm
]

Practical Example

Combine multiple features for robust, professional diagrams:

\begin{nskFigure}
  \nskBlock[id=A, text-center={Block A}]
  \nskBlock[id=B, pos={right=3cm of A}, text-center={Block B}]
 
  \nskConnect[
    from=A.east,
    to=B.west,
    bridging=true,
    bridging-style=over,
    corner-radius=4mm,
    bend-type=single,
    bend-direction=up,
    bend-distance=1cm,
  ]
 
  \nskDoBridging
\end{nskFigure}

Automatic Path Management

Neural Sketch's routing engine efficiently handles all path management automatically, resolving intersections and storing paths seamlessly using the underlying spath3 package. This automation reduces manual complexity, letting you concentrate fully on your diagram's structure and design.

Reference

\nskConnect Props

\nskAngledc Props