\dottedline

<#483#>SYNOPSIS:
\dottedline[<#120#>optional dotcharacter<#120#>]{<#121#>dotgap in units<#121#>}(x₁,y₁)(x₂,y₂)...(x_n,y_n)<#483#>

The above command connects the specified points by drawing a dottedline between each pair of coordinates. At least two points must be specified. The dotted line is drawn with inter-dot gap as specified in the second argument (in unitlengths). Note that since integral number of dots have to be plotted, the interdot-gap may not necessarily be exactly as specified, but very close. It really doesn't matter in visual appearance except when the length of dottedline is very small. By default, a little square (42, described later) is used as the dot, and can be changed by optionally specifying another character. The thickness of dots is governed by currently effective 43, 44 or 45 declaration when the default character is used. Note that some characters such as ``*'' in roman font do not come out centered, although most other characters do.

One can obtain a <#122#>solid line<#122#> by specifying a very small inter-dot gap. Since L^ATEX provides for only finite number of slopes for drawing lines, this gives a general way of making lines with arbitrary slopes. However, if <#123#>solid lines<#123#> are made using above technique, there is a good chance TEX will run out of memory, hence it is suggested that this command be used only for ``dotted'' lines. Another, much more efficient, way of making solid lines is described later in the section on 46.

Each ``dot'' in the dottedline is plotted as a centered object, including those at the end points. Thus, a dottedline with a large-sized <#124#> dotcharacter<#124#> may appear to be longer although, technically speaking, correct. To clarify the point, below are three lines of equal length and, in the case of dottedlines, with equal spacing: