nicematrix (15mar20)

git-svn-id: svn://tug.org/texlive/trunk@54330 c570f23f-e606-0410-a88d-b1316a301751

1 files changed, 1196 insertions, 930 deletions

diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/latex/nicematrix/nicematrix.sty b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/latex/nicematrix/nicematrix.sty
index bfa03a3231f..a3b169cfa85 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/latex/nicematrix/nicematrix.sty
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/latex/nicematrix/nicematrix.sty
@@ -18,17 +18,17 @@
 %% and version 1.3 or later is part of all distributions of
 %% LaTeX version 2005/12/01 or later.
 %% 
-\def\myfileversion{3.12}
-\def\myfiledate{2020/02/28}
-\RequirePackage{tikz}
-\usetikzlibrary{fit}
+\def\myfileversion{3.13}
+\def\myfiledate{2020/03/15}
+\RequirePackage{pgfcore}
+\usepgfmodule{shapes}
 \RequirePackage{expl3}[2020/02/08]
 \RequirePackage{l3keys2e}
 \ProvidesExplPackage
   {nicematrix}
   {\myfiledate}
   {\myfileversion}
-  {Mathematical matrices with TikZ}
+  {Mathematical matrices with PGF/TikZ}
 \msg_new:nnn { nicematrix } { expl3~too~old }
   {
     Your~version~of~LaTeX~(especially~expl3)~is~too~old.~
@@ -53,6 +53,20 @@
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_msg_new:nnn { \msg_new:nnnn { nicematrix } }
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_msg_redirect_name:nn
   { \msg_redirect_name:nnn { nicematrix } }
+\bool_new:N \c__nicematrix_tikz_loaded_bool
+\AtBeginDocument
+  {
+    \@ifpackageloaded { tikz }
+      {
+        \bool_set_true:N \c__nicematrix_tikz_loaded_bool
+        \tl_const:Nn \c__nicematrix_pgfortikzpicture_tl { \exp_not:N \tikzpicture }
+        \tl_const:Nn \c__nicematrix_endpgfortikzpicture_tl { \exp_not:N \endtikzpicture }
+      }
+      {
+        \tl_const:Nn \c__nicematrix_pgfortikzpicture_tl { \exp_not:N \pgfpicture }
+        \tl_const:Nn \c__nicematrix_endpgfortikzpicture_tl { \exp_not:N \endpgfpicture }
+      }
+  }
 \bool_new:N \c__nicematrix_revtex_bool
 \@ifclassloaded { revtex4-1 }
   { \bool_set_true:N \c__nicematrix_revtex_bool }
@@ -62,8 +76,7 @@
   { }
 \__nicematrix_msg_new:nn { Draft~mode }
   { The~compilation~is~in~draft~mode:~the~dotted~lines~won't~be~drawn. }
-\bool_if:NT \c__nicematrix_draft_bool
-  { \msg_warning:nn { nicematrix }  { Draft~mode } }
+\bool_if:NT \c__nicematrix_draft_bool { \msg_warning:nn { nicematrix }  { Draft~mode } }
 \ProvideDocumentCommand \iddots { }
   {
     \mathinner
@@ -79,6 +92,9 @@
       }
   }
 \int_new:N \g__nicematrix_env_int
+\cs_new:Npn \__nicematrix_env: { nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int }
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_qpoint: #1
+  { \pgfpointanchor { \__nicematrix_env: - #1 } { center } }
 \int_new:N \g__nicematrix_NiceMatrixBlock_int
 \dim_new:N \l__nicematrix_columns_width_dim
 \seq_new:N \g__nicematrix_names_seq
@@ -91,7 +107,6 @@
       \__nicematrix_fatal:n { Outside~math~mode }
     \fi:
   }
-\bool_new:N \l__nicematrix_impossible_line_bool
 \bool_new:N \c__nicematrix_colortbl_loaded_bool
 \AtBeginDocument
   {
@@ -102,12 +117,12 @@
       }
       { }
   }
-\cs_set_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w
-  { \tikz@parse@node \pgfutil@firstofone }
+\colorlet { nicematrix-last-col } { . }
+\colorlet { nicematrix-last-row } { . }
 \dim_new:N \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim
 \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim { 0.45 em }
-\dim_new:N \l__nicematrix_dotted_lines_margin_dim
-\dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_dotted_lines_margin_dim { 0.3 em }
+\dim_new:N \l__nicematrix_xdots_shorten_dim
+\dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_xdots_shorten_dim { 0.3 em }
 \dim_new:N \l__nicematrix_radius_dim
 \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_radius_dim { 0.53 pt }
 \str_new:N \g__nicematrix_name_env_str
@@ -119,10 +134,25 @@
       { command \space \c_backslash_str \g__nicematrix_name_env_str }
       { environment \space \{ \g__nicematrix_name_env_str \} }
   }
+\tl_new:N \g__nicematrix_internal_code_after_tl
 \tl_new:N \g__nicematrix_code_after_tl
 \int_new:N \l__nicematrix_save_iRow_int
 \int_new:N \l__nicematrix_save_jCol_int
 \bool_new:N \g__nicematrix_row_of_col_done_bool
+\tl_new:N \l__nicematrix_initial_suffix_tl
+\tl_new:N \l__nicematrix_initial_anchor_tl
+\tl_new:N \l__nicematrix_final_suffix_tl
+\tl_new:N \l__nicematrix_final_anchor_tl
+\dim_new:N \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim
+\dim_new:N \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim
+\dim_new:N \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim
+\dim_new:N \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim
+\dim_new:N \l_tmpc_dim
+\dim_new:N \l_tmpd_dim
+\bool_new:N \g__nicematrix_empty_cell_bool
+\tl_new:N \l__nicematrix_xdots_line_style_tl
+\tl_const:Nn \c__nicematrix_standard_tl { standard }
+\tl_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_xdots_line_style_tl \c__nicematrix_standard_tl
 \int_new:N \l__nicematrix_first_row_int
 \int_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_first_row_int 1
 \int_new:N \l__nicematrix_first_col_int
@@ -172,6 +202,7 @@
         \NC@find
       }
   }
+\cs_new:Npn \__nicematrix_succ:N #1 { \the \numexpr #1 + 1 \relax }
 \bool_new:N \l__nicematrix_light_syntax_bool
 \str_new:N \l__nicematrix_baseline_str
 \str_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_baseline_str c
@@ -184,9 +215,7 @@
 \bool_new:N \l__nicematrix_auto_columns_width_bool
 \str_new:N \l__nicematrix_name_str
 \bool_new:N \l__nicematrix_medium_nodes_bool
-\bool_new:N \g__nicematrix_medium_nodes_bool
 \bool_new:N \l__nicematrix_large_nodes_bool
-\bool_new:N \g__nicematrix_large_nodes_bool
 \dim_new:N \l__nicematrix_left_margin_dim
 \dim_new:N \l__nicematrix_right_margin_dim
 \dim_new:N \g__nicematrix_width_last_col_dim
@@ -195,12 +224,29 @@
 \dim_new:N \l__nicematrix_extra_right_margin_dim
 \tl_new:N \l__nicematrix_end_of_row_tl
 \tl_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_end_of_row_tl { ; }
+\tl_new:N \l__nicematrix_xdots_color_tl
 \bool_new:N \l__nicematrix_max_delimiter_width_bool
+\keys_define:nn { NiceMatrix / xdots }
+  {
+    line-style .code:n =
+     {
+       \bool_lazy_or:nnTF
+        { \cs_if_exist_p:N \tikzpicture }
+        { \str_if_eq_p:nn { #1 } { standard } }
+        { \tl_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_xdots_line_style_tl { #1 } }
+        { \__nicematrix_error:n { bad~option~for~line-style } }
+     } ,
+    line-style .value_required:n = true ,
+    color .tl_set:N = \l__nicematrix_xdots_color_tl ,
+    color .value_required:n = true ,
+    shorten .dim_set:N = \l__nicematrix_xdots_shorten_dim ,
+    shorten .value_required:n = true ,
+    unknown .code:n = \__nicematrix_error:n { Unknown~option~for~xdots }
+  }
 \keys_define:nn { NiceMatrix / Global }
   {
+    xdots .code:n = \keys_set:nn { NiceMatrix / xdots } { #1 } ,
     max-delimiter-width .bool_set:N = \l__nicematrix_max_delimiter_width_bool ,
-    dotted-lines-margin .dim_set:N = \l__nicematrix_dotted_lines_margin_dim ,
-    dotted-lines-margin .value_required:n = true ,
     light-syntax .bool_set:N = \l__nicematrix_light_syntax_bool ,
     light-syntax .default:n = true ,
     end-of-row .tl_set:N = \l__nicematrix_end_of_row_tl ,
@@ -234,7 +280,8 @@
     extra-left-margin .dim_set:N = \l__nicematrix_extra_left_margin_dim ,
     extra-right-margin .dim_set:N = \l__nicematrix_extra_right_margin_dim ,
     extra-margin .meta:n =
-      { extra-left-margin = #1 , extra-right-margin = #1 }
+      { extra-left-margin = #1 , extra-right-margin = #1 } ,
+    extra-margin .value_required:n = true
   }
 \keys_define:nn { NiceMatrix / Env }
   {
@@ -266,21 +313,25 @@
       {
         NiceMatrix / Global ,
       } ,
+    NiceMatrixOptions / xdots .inherit:n = NiceMatrix / xdots ,
     NiceMatrix .inherit:n =
       {
         NiceMatrix / Global ,
-        NiceMatrix / Env
+        NiceMatrix / Env ,
       } ,
+    NiceMatrix / xdots .inherit:n = NiceMatrix / xdots ,
     NiceArray .inherit:n =
       {
         NiceMatrix / Global ,
         NiceMatrix / Env ,
       } ,
+    NiceArray / xdots .inherit:n = NiceMatrix / xdots ,
     pNiceArray .inherit:n =
       {
         NiceMatrix / Global ,
         NiceMatrix / Env ,
-      }
+      } ,
+    pNiceArray / xdots .inherit:n = NiceMatrix / xdots
   }
 \keys_define:nn { NiceMatrix / NiceMatrixOptions }
   {
@@ -314,6 +365,10 @@
     last-col .code:n = \tl_if_empty:nTF {#1}
                          { \__nicematrix_error:n { last-col~empty~for~NiceMatrix } }
                          { \int_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_last_col_int { #1 } } ,
+    l .code:n = \tl_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_type_of_col_tl L ,
+    r .code:n = \tl_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_type_of_col_tl R ,
+    L .code:n = \tl_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_type_of_col_tl L ,
+    R .code:n = \tl_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_type_of_col_tl R ,
     unknown .code:n = \__nicematrix_error:n { Unknown~option~for~NiceMatrix }
   }
 \keys_define:nn { NiceMatrix / NiceArray }
@@ -343,20 +398,25 @@
   {
     \int_gincr:N \c@jCol
     \int_compare:nNnT \c@jCol = 1
-      {
-        \int_compare:nNnT \l__nicematrix_first_col_int = 1
-          \__nicematrix_begin_of_row:
-      }
-    \int_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_col_total_int
-      { \int_max:nn \g__nicematrix_col_total_int \c@jCol }
+      { \int_compare:nNnT \l__nicematrix_first_col_int = 1 \__nicematrix_begin_of_row: }
+    \int_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_col_total_int { \int_max:nn \g__nicematrix_col_total_int \c@jCol }
     \hbox_set:Nw \l__nicematrix_cell_box
     \c_math_toggle_token
     \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_small_bool \scriptstyle
     \int_compare:nNnTF \c@iRow = 0
-      { \int_compare:nNnT \c@jCol > 0 \l__nicematrix_code_for_first_row_tl }
+      {
+        \int_compare:nNnT \c@jCol > 0
+          {
+            \l__nicematrix_code_for_first_row_tl
+            \xglobal \colorlet { nicematrix-first-row } { . }
+          }
+      }
       {
         \int_compare:nNnT \c@iRow = \l__nicematrix_last_row_int
-          \l__nicematrix_code_for_last_row_tl
+          {
+            \l__nicematrix_code_for_last_row_tl
+            \xglobal \colorlet { nicematrix-last-row } { . }
+          }
       }
   }
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_begin_of_row:
@@ -365,8 +425,18 @@
     \dim_gset_eq:NN \g__nicematrix_dp_ante_last_row_dim \g__nicematrix_dp_last_row_dim
     \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_dp_last_row_dim { \box_dp:N \@arstrutbox }
     \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_ht_last_row_dim { \box_ht:N \@arstrutbox }
-    \tikz [ remember~picture , baseline ] \coordinate
-      ( nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int - row - \int_use:N \c@iRow - base ) ;
+    \pgfpicture
+    \pgfrememberpicturepositiononpagetrue
+    \pgfcoordinate
+      { \__nicematrix_env: - row - \int_use:N \c@iRow - base }
+      \pgfpointorigin
+    \str_if_empty:NF \l__nicematrix_name_str
+      {
+        \pgfnodealias
+          { \__nicematrix_env: - row - \int_use:N \c@iRow - base }
+          { \l__nicematrix_name_str - row - \int_use:N \c@iRow - base }
+      }
+    \endpgfpicture
   }
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_update_for_first_and_last_row:
   {
@@ -392,58 +462,54 @@
     \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_max_cell_width_dim
       { \dim_max:nn \g__nicematrix_max_cell_width_dim { \box_wd:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box } }
     \__nicematrix_update_for_first_and_last_row:
-    \tikz
-      [
-        remember~picture ,
-        inner~sep = \c_zero_dim ,
-        minimum~width = \c_zero_dim ,
-        baseline
-      ]
-    \node
-      [
-        anchor = base ,
-        name = nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int -
-                    \int_use:N \c@iRow -
-                    \int_use:N \c@jCol ,
-        alias =
-          \str_if_empty:NF \l__nicematrix_name_str
-            {
-              \l__nicematrix_name_str -
-              \int_use:N \c@iRow -
-              \int_use:N \c@jCol
-            }
-      ]
-    { \box_use_drop:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box } ;
+    \bool_if:NTF \g__nicematrix_empty_cell_bool
+      {
+        \box_use_drop:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box
+        \bool_gset_false:N \g__nicematrix_empty_cell_bool
+      }
+      {
+        \dim_compare:nNnTF { \box_wd:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box } > \c_zero_dim
+          \__nicematrix_node_for_the_cell:
+          { \box_use_drop:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box }
+      }
+    \bool_gset_false:N \g__nicematrix_empty_cell_bool
   }
-\cs_generate_variant:Nn \dim_set:Nn { N x }
-\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_renewcolumntype:nn #1 #2
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_node_for_the_cell:
   {
-    \newcolumntype #1 [ 2 ]
+    \pgfpicture
+    \pgfsetbaseline \c_zero_dim
+    \pgfrememberpicturepositiononpagetrue
+    \pgfset
       {
-        > {
-            \hbox_set:Nw \l__nicematrix_cell_box
-            \__nicematrix_Cell:
-          }
-        c
-        < {
-            \__nicematrix_end_Cell:
-            \hbox_set_end:
-            #2
-            \makebox [ ##2 ] [ ##1 ] { \box_use_drop:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box }
-          }
+        inner~sep = \c_zero_dim ,
+        minimum~width = \c_zero_dim
+      }
+    \pgfnode
+      { rectangle }
+      { base }
+      { \box_use_drop:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box }
+      { \__nicematrix_env: - \int_use:N \c@iRow - \int_use:N \c@jCol }
+      { }
+    \str_if_empty:NF \l__nicematrix_name_str
+      {
+        \pgfnodealias
+          { \l__nicematrix_name_str - \int_use:N \c@iRow - \int_use:N \c@jCol }
+          { \__nicematrix_env: - \int_use:N \c@iRow - \int_use:N \c@jCol }
       }
+    \endpgfpicture
   }
 \bool_if:NTF \c__nicematrix_draft_bool
-  { \cs_set_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_instruction_of_type:n #1 { } }
+  { \cs_set_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_instruction_of_type:nn #1 #2 { } }
   {
-    \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_instruction_of_type:n #1
+    \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_instruction_of_type:nn #1 #2
       {
         \tl_gput_right:cx
           { g__nicematrix_ #1 _ lines _ tl }
           {
-            \use:c { __nicematrix _ draw _ #1 : nn }
+            \use:c { __nicematrix _ draw _ #1 : nnn }
               { \int_use:N \c@iRow }
               { \int_use:N \c@jCol }
+              { #2 }
           }
       }
   }
@@ -465,11 +531,19 @@
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_everycr_i:
   {
     \int_gzero:N \c@jCol
-    \hbox:n
+    \hbox
       {
-        \tikz [ remember~picture ]
-        \coordinate
-        ( nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int - row - \int_eval:n { \c@iRow + 1 } ) ;
+        \pgfpicture
+        \pgfrememberpicturepositiononpagetrue
+        \pgfcoordinate { \__nicematrix_env: - row - \__nicematrix_succ:N \c@iRow }
+          \pgfpointorigin
+        \str_if_empty:NF \l__nicematrix_name_str
+          {
+            \pgfnodealias
+              { \__nicematrix_env: - row - \int_use:N \c@iRow - row }
+              { \l__nicematrix_name_str - row - \int_use:N \c@iRow - row }
+          }
+        \endpgfpicture
       }
     \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_hlines_bool
       {
@@ -502,8 +576,6 @@
         \cs_set:Npn \arraystretch { 0.47 }
         \dim_set:Nn \arraycolsep { 1.45 pt }
       }
-    \bool_gset_eq:NN \g__nicematrix_medium_nodes_bool \l__nicematrix_medium_nodes_bool
-    \bool_gset_eq:NN \g__nicematrix_large_nodes_bool \l__nicematrix_large_nodes_bool
     \cs_set:Npn \ialign
       {
         \bool_if:NTF \c__nicematrix_colortbl_loaded_bool
@@ -533,6 +605,11 @@
     \newcolumntype L { > \__nicematrix_Cell: l < \__nicematrix_end_Cell: }
     \newcolumntype C { > \__nicematrix_Cell: c < \__nicematrix_end_Cell: }
     \newcolumntype R { > \__nicematrix_Cell: r < \__nicematrix_end_Cell: }
+    \cs_set_eq:NN \__nicematrix_ldots \ldots
+    \cs_set_eq:NN \__nicematrix_cdots \cdots
+    \cs_set_eq:NN \__nicematrix_vdots \vdots
+    \cs_set_eq:NN \__nicematrix_ddots \ddots
+    \cs_set_eq:NN \__nicematrix_iddots \iddots
     \cs_set_eq:NN \firsthline \hline
     \cs_set_eq:NN \lasthline \hline
     \cs_set_eq:NN \Ldots \__nicematrix_Ldots
@@ -565,8 +642,35 @@
     \cs_set_eq:NN \@ifnextchar \new@ifnextchar
     \cs_set_eq:NN \NC@find@w \relax
     \cs_set_eq:NN \NC@find@W \relax
-    \__nicematrix_renewcolumntype:nn w { }
-    \__nicematrix_renewcolumntype:nn W { \cs_set_eq:NN \hss \hfil }
+    \newcolumntype w [ 2 ]
+      {
+        > {
+            \hbox_set:Nw \l__nicematrix_cell_box
+            \__nicematrix_Cell:
+          }
+        c
+        < {
+            \__nicematrix_end_Cell:
+            \hbox_set_end:
+            \makebox [ ##2 ] [ \str_lowercase:n { ##1 } ]
+               { \box_use_drop:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box }
+          }
+      }
+    \newcolumntype W [ 2 ]
+      {
+        > {
+            \hbox_set:Nw \l__nicematrix_cell_box
+            \__nicematrix_Cell:
+          }
+        c
+        < {
+            \__nicematrix_end_Cell:
+            \hbox_set_end:
+            \cs_set_eq:NN \hss \hfil
+            \makebox [ ##2 ] [ \str_lowercase:n { ##1 } ]
+              { \box_use_drop:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box }
+          }
+      }
     \tl_set_rescan:Nno
       \l__nicematrix_letter_for_dotted_lines_str { } \l__nicematrix_letter_for_dotted_lines_str
     \exp_args:NV \newcolumntype \l__nicematrix_letter_for_dotted_lines_str
@@ -576,12 +680,12 @@
             \int_compare:nNnF \c@iRow = 0
               {
                 \int_compare:nNnF \c@iRow = \l__nicematrix_last_row_int
-                  { \skip_horizontal:n { 2 \l__nicematrix_radius_dim } }
+                  { \skip_horizontal:N 2\l__nicematrix_radius_dim }
               }
             \int_compare:nNnT \c@jCol > \g__nicematrix_last_vdotted_col_int
               {
                 \int_gset_eq:NN \g__nicematrix_last_vdotted_col_int \c@jCol
-                \tl_gput_right:Nx \g__nicematrix_code_after_tl
+                \tl_gput_right:Nx \g__nicematrix_internal_code_after_tl
                   { \__nicematrix_vdottedline:n { \int_use:N \c@jCol } }
               }
           }
@@ -599,6 +703,8 @@
  }
 \NewDocumentEnvironment { NiceArrayWithDelims } { m m O { } m ! O { } }
   {
+    \tl_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_left_delim_tl { #1 }
+    \tl_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_right_delim_tl { #2 }
     \bool_gset_false:N \g__nicematrix_row_of_col_done_bool
     \str_if_empty:NT \g__nicematrix_name_env_str
       { \str_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_name_env_str { NiceArrayWithDelims } }
@@ -658,56 +764,44 @@
         \dim_gset:Nn \l__nicematrix_right_delim_dim { 2 \arraycolsep }
       }
       {
-        \hbox_set:Nn \l_tmpa_box
-          {
-            \c_math_toggle_token
-            \left #1 \vcenter to 3 cm { } \right.
-            \c_math_toggle_token
-          }
-        \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_left_delim_dim
-          { \box_wd:N \l_tmpa_box - \nulldelimiterspace }
-        \hbox_set:Nn \l_tmpa_box
-          {
-            \c_math_toggle_token
-            \left. \vcenter to 3 cm { } \right #2
-            \c_math_toggle_token
-          }
-        \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_right_delim_dim
-          { \box_wd:N \l_tmpa_box - \nulldelimiterspace }
+        \hbox_set:Nn \l_tmpa_box { $ \bBigg@ 5 #1 $ }
+        \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_left_delim_dim { \box_wd:N \l_tmpa_box }
+        \hbox_set:Nn \l_tmpa_box { $\bBigg@ 5 #2 $ }
+        \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_right_delim_dim { \box_wd:N \l_tmpa_box }
       }
     \box_clear_new:N \l__nicematrix_the_array_box
     \tl_set:Nn \l_tmpa_tl { #4 }
     \int_compare:nNnTF \l__nicematrix_first_col_int = 0
       { \tl_put_left:NV \l_tmpa_tl \c__nicematrix_preamble_first_col_tl }
       {
-        \bool_if:nT
+        \bool_lazy_all:nT
           {
-                 \l__nicematrix_NiceArray_bool
-            && ! \l__nicematrix_vlines_bool
-            && ! \l__nicematrix_exterior_arraycolsep_bool
+            \l__nicematrix_NiceArray_bool
+            { \bool_not_p:n \l__nicematrix_vlines_bool }
+            { \bool_not_p:n \l__nicematrix_exterior_arraycolsep_bool }
           }
           { \tl_put_left:Nn \l_tmpa_tl { @ { } } }
       }
     \int_compare:nNnTF \l__nicematrix_last_col_int > { -1 }
       { \tl_put_right:NV \l_tmpa_tl \c__nicematrix_preamble_last_col_tl }
       {
-        \bool_if:nT
+        \bool_lazy_all:nT
           {
-                 \l__nicematrix_NiceArray_bool
-            && ! \l__nicematrix_vlines_bool
-            && ! \l__nicematrix_exterior_arraycolsep_bool
+            \l__nicematrix_NiceArray_bool
+            { \bool_not_p:n \l__nicematrix_vlines_bool }
+            { \bool_not_p:n \l__nicematrix_exterior_arraycolsep_bool }
           }
           { \tl_put_right:Nn \l_tmpa_tl { @ { } } }
       }
     \tl_put_right:Nn \l_tmpa_tl { > { \__nicematrix_error_too_much_cols: } l }
     \hbox_set:Nw \l__nicematrix_the_array_box
-     \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_vlines_bool
+    \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_vlines_bool
       {
         \dim_add:Nn \arraycolsep { 0.5 \arrayrulewidth }
-        \skip_horizontal:n { 0.5 \arrayrulewidth }
+        \skip_horizontal:N  0.5\arrayrulewidth
       }
-    \skip_horizontal:n \l__nicematrix_left_margin_dim
-    \skip_horizontal:n \l__nicematrix_extra_left_margin_dim
+    \skip_horizontal:N \l__nicematrix_left_margin_dim
+    \skip_horizontal:N \l__nicematrix_extra_left_margin_dim
     \c_math_toggle_token
     \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_light_syntax_bool
       { \begin { __nicematrix-light-syntax } }
@@ -718,9 +812,9 @@
       { \end { __nicematrix-light-syntax } }
       { \end { __nicematrix-normal-syntax } }
     \c_math_toggle_token
-    \skip_horizontal:n \l__nicematrix_right_margin_dim
-    \skip_horizontal:n \l__nicematrix_extra_right_margin_dim
-    \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_vlines_bool { \skip_horizontal:n { 0.5 \arrayrulewidth } }
+    \skip_horizontal:N \l__nicematrix_right_margin_dim
+    \skip_horizontal:N \l__nicematrix_extra_right_margin_dim
+    \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_vlines_bool { \skip_horizontal:N 0.5\arrayrulewidth }
     \hbox_set_end:
     \int_compare:nNnT \l__nicematrix_last_row_int > { -2 }
       {
@@ -739,23 +833,19 @@
     \int_compare:nNnT \l__nicematrix_last_row_int > { -1 } { \int_gdecr:N \c@iRow }
     \int_compare:nNnT \l__nicematrix_first_col_int = 0
       {
-        \skip_horizontal:n \arraycolsep
-        \skip_horizontal:n \g__nicematrix_width_first_col_dim
+        \skip_horizontal:N \arraycolsep
+        \skip_horizontal:N \g__nicematrix_width_first_col_dim
       }
     \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_NiceArray_bool
       {
         \str_if_eq:VnTF \l__nicematrix_baseline_str { b }
           {
-           \begin { tikzpicture }
-             \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w ( nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int - row - 1 )
+           \pgfpicture
+             \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - 1 }
              \dim_gset_eq:NN \g_tmpa_dim \pgf@y
-             \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w
-               (
-                 nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int -
-                 row - \int_use:N \c@iRow - base
-               )
+             \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - \int_use:N \c@iRow - base }
              \dim_gsub:Nn \g_tmpa_dim \pgf@y
-           \end { tikzpicture }
+           \endpgfpicture
            \int_compare:nNnT \l__nicematrix_first_row_int = 0
              {
                \dim_gadd:Nn \g_tmpa_dim
@@ -772,24 +862,19 @@
                 \int_set:Nn \l_tmpa_int \l__nicematrix_baseline_str
                 \bool_if:nT
                   {
-                       \int_compare_p:nNn \l_tmpa_int < 0
+                       \int_compare_p:nNn \l_tmpa_int < \l__nicematrix_first_row_int
                     || \int_compare_p:nNn \l_tmpa_int > \g__nicematrix_row_total_int
                   }
                   {
                     \__nicematrix_error:n { bad~value~for~baseline }
                     \int_set:Nn \l_tmpa_int 1
                   }
-                \begin { tikzpicture }
-                \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w
-                  ( nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int - row - 1 )
+                \pgfpicture
+                \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - 1 }
                 \dim_gset_eq:NN \g_tmpa_dim \pgf@y
-                \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w
-                  (
-                    nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int -
-                    row - \int_use:N \l_tmpa_int- base
-                  )
+                \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - \int_use:N \l_tmpa_int - base }
                 \dim_gsub:Nn \g_tmpa_dim \pgf@y
-                \end { tikzpicture }
+                \endpgfpicture
                 \int_compare:nNnT \l__nicematrix_first_row_int = 0
                   {
                     \dim_gadd:Nn \g_tmpa_dim
@@ -803,14 +888,14 @@
       {
         \int_compare:nNnTF \l__nicematrix_first_row_int = 0
           {
-            \dim_set:Nn \l_tmpa_dim
-              { \g__nicematrix_dp_row_zero_dim + \g__nicematrix_ht_row_zero_dim }
+            \dim_set_eq:NN \l_tmpa_dim \g__nicematrix_dp_row_zero_dim
+            \dim_add:Nn \l_tmpa_dim \g__nicematrix_ht_row_zero_dim
           }
           { \dim_zero:N \l_tmpa_dim }
         \int_compare:nNnTF \l__nicematrix_last_row_int > { -2 }
           {
-            \dim_set:Nn \l_tmpb_dim
-              { \g__nicematrix_ht_last_row_dim + \g__nicematrix_dp_last_row_dim }
+            \dim_set_eq:NN \l_tmpb_dim \g__nicematrix_ht_last_row_dim
+            \dim_add:Nn \l_tmpb_dim \g__nicematrix_dp_last_row_dim
           }
           { \dim_zero:N \l_tmpb_dim }
         \hbox_set:Nn \l_tmpa_box
@@ -819,14 +904,14 @@
             \left #1
             \vcenter
               {
-                \skip_vertical:n { - \l_tmpa_dim }
-                \hbox:n
+                \skip_vertical:N -\l_tmpa_dim
+                \hbox
                   {
-                    \skip_horizontal:n { - \arraycolsep }
+                    \skip_horizontal:N -\arraycolsep
                     \box_use_drop:N \l__nicematrix_the_array_box
-                    \skip_horizontal:n { - \arraycolsep }
+                    \skip_horizontal:N -\arraycolsep
                   }
-                \skip_vertical:n { - \l_tmpb_dim }
+                \skip_vertical:N -\l_tmpb_dim
               }
             \right #2
             \c_math_toggle_token
@@ -836,7 +921,10 @@
           \__nicematrix_put_box_in_flow:
       }
     \bool_if:NT \g__nicematrix_last_col_found_bool
-      { \skip_horizontal:n { \g__nicematrix_width_last_col_dim + \arraycolsep } }
+      {
+        \skip_horizontal:N \g__nicematrix_width_last_col_dim
+        \skip_horizontal:N \arraycolsep
+      }
     \__nicematrix_after_array:
   }
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_put_box_in_flow:
@@ -876,9 +964,11 @@
       }
     \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_real_right_delim_dim
       { \box_wd:N \l_tmpb_box - \nulldelimiterspace }
-    \skip_horizontal:n { \l__nicematrix_left_delim_dim - \l__nicematrix_real_left_delim_dim }
+    \skip_horizontal:N  \l__nicematrix_left_delim_dim
+    \skip_horizontal:N -\l__nicematrix_real_left_delim_dim
     \__nicematrix_put_box_in_flow:
-    \skip_horizontal:n { \l__nicematrix_right_delim_dim - \l__nicematrix_real_right_delim_dim }
+    \skip_horizontal:N \l__nicematrix_right_delim_dim
+    \skip_horizontal:N -\l__nicematrix_real_right_delim_dim
   }
 \NewDocumentEnvironment { __nicematrix-normal-syntax } { }
   {
@@ -892,11 +982,13 @@
   }
 \NewDocumentEnvironment { __nicematrix-light-syntax } { b }
   {
-     \tl_if_empty:nT { #1 } { \__nicematrix_fatal:n { empty~environment } }
-    \exp_args:NV \__nicematrix_array: \l_tmpa_tl
+    \tl_if_empty:nT { #1 } { \__nicematrix_fatal:n { empty~environment } }
     \seq_gclear_new:N \g__nicematrix_rows_seq
     \tl_set_rescan:Nno \l__nicematrix_end_of_row_tl { } \l__nicematrix_end_of_row_tl
     \exp_args:NNV \seq_gset_split:Nnn \g__nicematrix_rows_seq \l__nicematrix_end_of_row_tl { #1 }
+    \int_compare:nNnT \l__nicematrix_last_row_int = { -1 }
+      { \int_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_last_row_int { \seq_count:N \g__nicematrix_rows_seq } }
+    \exp_args:NV \__nicematrix_array: \l_tmpa_tl
     \seq_gpop_left:NN \g__nicematrix_rows_seq \l_tmpa_tl
     \exp_args:NV \__nicematrix_line_with_light_syntax_i:n \l_tmpa_tl
     \seq_map_function:NN \g__nicematrix_rows_seq \__nicematrix_line_with_light_syntax:n
@@ -931,34 +1023,32 @@
     \int_compare:nNnT \l__nicematrix_first_col_int = 0 { \omit & }
     \omit
     \bool_gset_true:N \g__nicematrix_row_of_col_done_bool
-    \tikz [ remember~picture ]
-      \coordinate ( nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int - col - 1 ) ;
-    \bool_if:nTF
-      {
-        \l__nicematrix_auto_columns_width_bool
-        || \dim_compare_p:nNn \l__nicematrix_columns_width_dim > \c_zero_dim
-      }
-      {
-        \bool_if:nTF
-          {
-            \l__nicematrix_auto_columns_width_bool
-            && ! \l__nicematrix_block_auto_columns_width_bool
-          }
-          {
-            \skip_gset:Nn \g_tmpa_skip
-              { \g__nicematrix_max_cell_width_dim + 2 \arraycolsep }
-          }
-          {
-            \skip_gset:Nn \g_tmpa_skip
-              { \l__nicematrix_columns_width_dim + 2 \arraycolsep }
-          }
+    \pgfpicture
+    \pgfrememberpicturepositiononpagetrue
+    \pgfcoordinate { \__nicematrix_env: - col - 1 } \pgfpointorigin
+    \str_if_empty:NF \l__nicematrix_name_str
+      { \pgfnodealias { \__nicematrix_env: - col - 1 } { \l__nicematrix_name_str - col - 1 } }
+    \endpgfpicture
+    \skip_gset:Nn \g_tmpa_skip { 0 pt~plus 1 fill }
+    \bool_if:NF \l__nicematrix_auto_columns_width_bool
+      { \dim_compare:nNnT \l__nicematrix_columns_width_dim > \c_zero_dim }
+      {
+        \bool_lazy_and:nnTF
+          \l__nicematrix_auto_columns_width_bool
+          { \bool_not_p:n \l__nicematrix_block_auto_columns_width_bool }
+          { \skip_gset_eq:NN \g_tmpa_skip \g__nicematrix_max_cell_width_dim }
+          { \skip_gset_eq:NN \g_tmpa_skip \l__nicematrix_columns_width_dim }
+        \skip_gadd:Nn \g_tmpa_skip { 2 \arraycolsep }
       }
-      { \skip_gset:Nn \g_tmpa_skip { 0 pt~plus 1 fill } }
     \skip_horizontal:N \g_tmpa_skip
-    \hbox:n
+    \hbox
       {
-        \tikz [ remember~picture ]
-          \coordinate ( nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int - col - 2 ) ;
+        \pgfpicture
+        \pgfrememberpicturepositiononpagetrue
+        \pgfcoordinate { \__nicematrix_env: - col - 2 } \pgfpointorigin
+        \str_if_empty:NF \l__nicematrix_name_str
+          { \pgfnodealias { \__nicematrix_env: - col - 2 } { \l__nicematrix_name_str - col - 2 } }
+        \endpgfpicture
       }
     \int_gset:Nn \g_tmpa_int 1
     \bool_if:NTF \g__nicematrix_last_col_found_bool
@@ -969,12 +1059,17 @@
          \omit
          \int_gincr:N \g_tmpa_int
          \skip_horizontal:N \g_tmpa_skip
-         \tikz [ remember~picture ]
-           \coordinate
-             (
-               nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int -
-               col - \int_eval:n { \g_tmpa_int + 1 }
-             ) ;
+         \pgfpicture
+           \pgfrememberpicturepositiononpagetrue
+           \pgfcoordinate { \__nicematrix_env: - col - \__nicematrix_succ:N \g_tmpa_int }
+             \pgfpointorigin
+           \str_if_empty:NF \l__nicematrix_name_str
+             {
+               \pgfnodealias
+                 { \__nicematrix_env: - col - \__nicematrix_succ:N \g_tmpa_int }
+                 { \l__nicematrix_name_str - col - \__nicematrix_succ:N \g_tmpa_int }
+             }
+         \endpgfpicture
       }
     \cr
   }
@@ -986,17 +1081,17 @@
         \hbox_set:Nw \l__nicematrix_cell_box
         \c_math_toggle_token
         \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_small_bool \scriptstyle
-        \bool_if:nT
+        \bool_lazy_and:nnT
+          { \int_compare_p:nNn \c@iRow > 0 }
           {
-            \int_compare_p:nNn \c@iRow > 0
-            &&
-            (
-              \int_compare_p:nNn \l__nicematrix_last_row_int < 0
-              ||
-              \int_compare_p:nNn \c@iRow < \l__nicematrix_last_row_int
-            )
+            \bool_lazy_or_p:nn
+              { \int_compare_p:nNn \l__nicematrix_last_row_int < 0 }
+              { \int_compare_p:nNn \c@iRow < \l__nicematrix_last_row_int }
+          }
+          {
+            \l__nicematrix_code_for_first_col_tl
+            \xglobal \colorlet { nicematrix-first-col } { . }
           }
-          { \l__nicematrix_code_for_first_col_tl }
       }
     l
     <
@@ -1005,45 +1100,17 @@
         \hbox_set_end:
         \__nicematrix_update_for_first_and_last_row:
         \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_width_first_col_dim
-          {
-            \dim_max:nn
-              \g__nicematrix_width_first_col_dim
-              { \box_wd:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box }
-          }
+          { \dim_max:nn \g__nicematrix_width_first_col_dim { \box_wd:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box } }
         \hbox_overlap_left:n
           {
-            \tikz
-              [
-                remember~picture ,
-                inner~sep = \c_zero_dim ,
-                minimum~width = \c_zero_dim ,
-                baseline
-              ]
-            \node
-              [
-                anchor = base ,
-                name =
-                  nm -
-                  \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int -
-                  \int_use:N \c@iRow -
-                  0 ,
-                alias =
-                  \str_if_empty:NF \l__nicematrix_name_str
-                    {
-                      \l__nicematrix_name_str -
-                      \int_use:N \c@iRow -
-                      0
-                    }
-              ]
-              { \box_use_drop:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box } ;
-            \skip_horizontal:n
-              {
-                \l__nicematrix_left_delim_dim +
-                \l__nicematrix_left_margin_dim +
-                \l__nicematrix_extra_left_margin_dim
-              }
+            \dim_compare:nNnTF { \box_wd:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box } > \c_zero_dim
+              \__nicematrix_node_for_the_cell:
+              { \box_use_drop:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box }
+            \skip_horizontal:N \l__nicematrix_left_delim_dim
+            \skip_horizontal:N \l__nicematrix_left_margin_dim
+            \skip_horizontal:N \l__nicematrix_extra_left_margin_dim
           }
-        \skip_horizontal:n { - 2 \arraycolsep }
+        \skip_horizontal:N -2\arraycolsep
       }
   }
 \tl_const:Nn \c__nicematrix_preamble_last_col_tl
@@ -1057,17 +1124,16 @@
         \hbox_set:Nw \l__nicematrix_cell_box
           \c_math_toggle_token
           \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_small_bool \scriptstyle
-        \bool_if:nT
+        \int_compare:nNnT \c@iRow > 0
           {
-            \int_compare_p:nNn \c@iRow > 0
-            &&
-            (
-              \int_compare_p:nNn \l__nicematrix_last_row_int < 0
-              ||
-              \int_compare_p:nNn \c@iRow < \l__nicematrix_last_row_int
-            )
+            \bool_lazy_or:nnT
+              { \int_compare_p:nNn \l__nicematrix_last_row_int < 0 }
+              { \int_compare_p:nNn \c@iRow < \l__nicematrix_last_row_int }
+              {
+                \l__nicematrix_code_for_last_col_tl
+                \xglobal \colorlet { nicematrix-last-col } { . }
+              }
           }
-          { \l__nicematrix_code_for_last_col_tl }
       }
     l
     <
@@ -1076,44 +1142,17 @@
         \hbox_set_end:
         \__nicematrix_update_for_first_and_last_row:
         \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_width_last_col_dim
-           {
-             \dim_max:nn
-               \g__nicematrix_width_last_col_dim
-               { \box_wd:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box }
-           }
-        \skip_horizontal:n { - 2 \arraycolsep }
+          { \dim_max:nn \g__nicematrix_width_last_col_dim { \box_wd:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box } }
+        \skip_horizontal:N -2\arraycolsep
         \hbox_overlap_right:n
           {
-            \skip_horizontal:n
+            \dim_compare:nNnT { \box_wd:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box } > \c_zero_dim
               {
-                \l__nicematrix_right_delim_dim +
-                \l__nicematrix_right_margin_dim +
-                \l__nicematrix_extra_right_margin_dim
+                \skip_horizontal:N \l__nicematrix_right_delim_dim
+                \skip_horizontal:N \l__nicematrix_right_margin_dim
+                \skip_horizontal:N \l__nicematrix_extra_right_margin_dim
+                \__nicematrix_node_for_the_cell:
               }
-            \tikz
-              [
-                remember~picture ,
-                inner~sep = \c_zero_dim ,
-                minimum~width = \c_zero_dim ,
-                baseline
-              ]
-            \node
-              [
-                anchor = base ,
-                name =
-                  nm -
-                  \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int -
-                  \int_use:N \c@iRow -
-                  \int_use:N \c@jCol ,
-                alias =
-                  \str_if_empty:NF \l__nicematrix_name_str
-                    {
-                      \l__nicematrix_name_str -
-                      \int_use:N \c@iRow -
-                      \int_use:N \c@jCol
-                    }
-              ]
-              { \box_use_drop:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box } ;
           }
       }
   }
@@ -1170,19 +1209,24 @@
     \NewDocumentEnvironment { #1 NiceMatrix } { ! O { } }
       {
         \str_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_name_env_str { #1 NiceMatrix }
+        \tl_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_type_of_col_tl C
         \keys_set:nn { NiceMatrix / NiceMatrix } { ##1 }
-        \begin { #1 NiceArray }
+        \exp_args:Nnx \__nicematrix_begin_of_NiceMatrix:nn { #1 } \l__nicematrix_type_of_col_tl
+      }
+      { \end { #1 NiceArray } }
+  }
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_begin_of_NiceMatrix:nn #1 #2
+  {
+    \begin { #1 NiceArray }
+      {
+        *
           {
-            *
-              {
-                \int_compare:nNnTF \l__nicematrix_last_col_int = { -1 }
-                  \c@MaxMatrixCols
-                  { \int_eval:n { \l__nicematrix_last_col_int - 1 } }
-              }
-              C
+            \int_compare:nNnTF \l__nicematrix_last_col_int = { -1 }
+              \c@MaxMatrixCols
+              { \int_eval:n { \l__nicematrix_last_col_int - 1 } }
           }
+          #2
       }
-      { \end { #1 NiceArray } }
   }
 \__nicematrix_define_env:n { }
 \__nicematrix_define_env:n p
@@ -1190,63 +1234,17 @@
 \__nicematrix_define_env:n B
 \__nicematrix_define_env:n v
 \__nicematrix_define_env:n V
-\prg_set_conditional:Npnn \__nicematrix_if_not_empty_cell:nn #1 #2 { T , TF }
-  {
-    \bool_set_false:N \l_tmpa_bool
-    \cs_if_exist:cTF
-      { __nicematrix _ dotted _ \int_use:N #1 - \int_use:N #2 }
-      \prg_return_true:
-      {
-        \cs_if_free:cTF
-          {
-            pgf@sh@ns@nm -
-            \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int -
-            \int_use:N #1 -
-            \int_use:N #2
-          }
-          { \prg_return_false: }
-          {
-            \bool_set_false:N \l_tmpa_bool
-            \cs_if_exist:cT
-              { __nicematrix _ empty _ \int_use:N #1 - \int_use:N #2 }
-              {
-                \int_compare:nNnT
-                  { \use:c { __nicematrix _ empty _ \int_use:N #1 - \int_use:N #2 } }
-                  =
-                  \g__nicematrix_env_int
-                { \bool_set_true:N \l_tmpa_bool }
-              }
-            \bool_if:NTF \l_tmpa_bool
-              \prg_return_false:
-              {
-                \begin { pgfpicture }
-                \tl_set:Nx \l_tmpa_tl
-                   {
-                     nm -
-                     \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int -
-                     \int_use:N #1 -
-                     \int_use:N #2
-                   }
-                \pgfpointanchor \l_tmpa_tl { east }
-                \dim_gset:Nn \g_tmpa_dim \pgf@x
-                \pgfpointanchor \l_tmpa_tl { west }
-                \dim_gset:Nn \g_tmpb_dim \pgf@x
-                \end { pgfpicture }
-                \dim_compare:nNnTF
-                  { \dim_abs:n { \g_tmpb_dim - \g_tmpa_dim } } < { 0.5 pt }
-                  \prg_return_false:
-                  \prg_return_true:
-              }
-          }
-      }
-  }
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_after_array:
   {
     \group_begin:
-    \cs_if_exist:NT \tikz@library@external@loaded
-      { \tikzset { external / export = false } }
+    \int_compare:nNnT \l__nicematrix_last_col_int = 0
+      {
+        \bool_if:NT \g__nicematrix_last_col_found_bool
+          { \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_last_col_int \g__nicematrix_col_total_int }
+      }
     \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_last_row_without_value_bool
       {
+        \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_last_row_int \g__nicematrix_row_total_int
         \iow_now:Nn \@mainaux \ExplSyntaxOn
         \iow_now:Nx \@mainaux
           {
@@ -1265,20 +1263,20 @@
       }
     \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_parallelize_diags_bool
       {
-        \int_zero_new:N \l__nicematrix_ddots_int
-        \int_zero_new:N \l__nicematrix_iddots_int
-        \dim_zero_new:N \l__nicematrix_delta_x_one_dim
-        \dim_zero_new:N \l__nicematrix_delta_y_one_dim
-        \dim_zero_new:N \l__nicematrix_delta_x_two_dim
-        \dim_zero_new:N \l__nicematrix_delta_y_two_dim
+        \int_gzero_new:N \g__nicematrix_ddots_int
+        \int_gzero_new:N \g__nicematrix_iddots_int
+        \dim_gzero_new:N \g__nicematrix_delta_x_one_dim
+        \dim_gzero_new:N \g__nicematrix_delta_y_one_dim
+        \dim_gzero_new:N \g__nicematrix_delta_x_two_dim
+        \dim_gzero_new:N \g__nicematrix_delta_y_two_dim
       }
-    \bool_if:nTF \g__nicematrix_medium_nodes_bool
+    \bool_if:nTF \l__nicematrix_medium_nodes_bool
       {
-        \bool_if:NTF \g__nicematrix_large_nodes_bool
+        \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_large_nodes_bool
           \__nicematrix_create_medium_and_large_nodes:
           \__nicematrix_create_medium_nodes:
       }
-      { \bool_if:NT \g__nicematrix_large_nodes_bool \__nicematrix_create_large_nodes: }
+      { \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_large_nodes_bool \__nicematrix_create_large_nodes: }
     \int_zero_new:N \l__nicematrix_initial_i_int
     \int_zero_new:N \l__nicematrix_initial_j_int
     \int_zero_new:N \l__nicematrix_final_i_int
@@ -1289,59 +1287,50 @@
       {
         \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_radius_dim { 0.37 pt }
         \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim { 0.25 em }
+        \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_xdots_shorten_dim { 0.6 \l__nicematrix_xdots_shorten_dim }
       }
-    \g__nicematrix_Hdotsfor_lines_tl
-    \g__nicematrix_Vdots_lines_tl
-    \g__nicematrix_Ddots_lines_tl
-    \g__nicematrix_Iddots_lines_tl
-    \g__nicematrix_Cdots_lines_tl
-    \g__nicematrix_Ldots_lines_tl
-    \tikzset
+    \__nicematrix_draw_dotted_lines:
+    \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_vlines_bool \__nicematrix_draw_vlines:
+    \g__nicematrix_internal_code_after_tl
+    \tl_gclear:N \g__nicematrix_internal_code_after_tl
+    \bool_if:NT \c__nicematrix_tikz_loaded_bool
       {
-        every~picture / .style =
+        \tikzset
           {
-            overlay ,
-            remember~picture ,
-            name~prefix = nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int -
+            every~picture / .style =
+              {
+                overlay ,
+                remember~picture ,
+                name~prefix = \__nicematrix_env: -
+              }
           }
       }
-    \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_vlines_bool \__nicematrix_draw_vlines:
-    \cs_set_eq:NN \line \__nicematrix_line:nn
+    \cs_set_eq:NN \line \__nicematrix_line
     \g__nicematrix_code_after_tl
     \tl_gclear:N \g__nicematrix_code_after_tl
     \group_end:
     \str_gclear:N \g__nicematrix_name_env_str
     \__nicematrix_restore_iRow_jCol:
   }
-\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_draw_vlines:
+\AtBeginDocument
   {
-    \group_begin:
-    \bool_if:NT \c__nicematrix_colortbl_loaded_bool \CT@arc@
-    \begin { tikzpicture } [ line~width = \arrayrulewidth ]
-    \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w ( row - 1 )
-    \dim_set_eq:NN \l_tmpa_dim \pgf@y
-    \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w ( row - \int_eval:n { \c@iRow + 1 } )
-    \dim_set:Nn \l_tmpa_dim { \l_tmpa_dim - \pgf@y  }
-    \dim_zero:N \l_tmpb_dim
-    \int_compare:nNnT \l__nicematrix_last_row_int > { -1 }
-      {
-        \dim_set:Nn \l_tmpb_dim
-          { \g__nicematrix_dp_last_row_dim + \g__nicematrix_ht_last_row_dim }
-        \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w ( row - \int_eval:n { \c@iRow + 1 } )
-        \dim_add:Nn \l_tmpa_dim \pgf@y
-        \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w ( row - \int_eval:n { \g__nicematrix_row_total_int + 1 } )
-        \dim_sub:Nn \l_tmpa_dim \pgf@y
-        \dim_sub:Nn \l_tmpa_dim \l_tmpb_dim
-       }
-    \int_step_inline:nnn
-      { \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_NiceArray_bool 1 2 }
-      { \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_NiceArray_bool { \c@jCol + 1 } \c@jCol }
+    \cs_new_protected:Npx \__nicematrix_draw_dotted_lines:
       {
-        \draw ( col - ##1 ) ++ ( 0 , \dim_use:N \l_tmpb_dim )
-                         -- ++ ( 0 , \dim_use:N \l_tmpa_dim ) ;
+        \c__nicematrix_pgfortikzpicture_tl
+        \__nicematrix_draw_dotted_lines_i:
+        \c__nicematrix_endpgfortikzpicture_tl
       }
-    \end { tikzpicture }
-    \group_end:
+  }
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_draw_dotted_lines_i:
+  {
+    \pgfrememberpicturepositiononpagetrue
+    \pgf@relevantforpicturesizefalse
+    \g__nicematrix_Hdotsfor_lines_tl
+    \g__nicematrix_Vdots_lines_tl
+    \g__nicematrix_Ddots_lines_tl
+    \g__nicematrix_Iddots_lines_tl
+    \g__nicematrix_Cdots_lines_tl
+    \g__nicematrix_Ldots_lines_tl
   }
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_restore_iRow_jCol:
   {
@@ -1387,34 +1376,38 @@
             \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_stop_loop_bool
           }
           {
-            \__nicematrix_if_not_empty_cell:nnTF \l__nicematrix_final_i_int \l__nicematrix_final_j_int
-              { \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_stop_loop_bool }
+            \cs_if_exist:cTF
+              {
+                __nicematrix _ dotted _
+                \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_final_i_int -
+                \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_final_j_int
+              }
               {
-                \cs_set:cpn
+                \int_sub:Nn \l__nicematrix_final_i_int { #3 }
+                \int_sub:Nn \l__nicematrix_final_j_int { #4 }
+                \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
+                \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_stop_loop_bool
+              }
+              {
+                \cs_if_exist:cTF
                   {
-                    __nicematrix _ dotted _
-                    \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_final_i_int -
-                    \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_final_j_int
+                    pgf @ sh @ ns @ \__nicematrix_env:
+                    - \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_final_i_int
+                    - \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_final_j_int
+                  }
+                  { \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_stop_loop_bool }
+                  {
+                    \cs_set:cpn
+                      {
+                        __nicematrix _ dotted _
+                        \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_final_i_int -
+                        \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_final_j_int
+                      }
+                      { }
                   }
-                  { }
               }
           }
       }
-    \cs_if_free:cT
-      {
-        pgf@sh@ns@nm -
-        \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int -
-        \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_final_i_int -
-        \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_final_j_int
-      }
-      {
-        \bool_if:NF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
-          {
-            \msg_error:nnx { nicematrix } { Impossible~line }
-              { \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_final_i_int }
-            \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_impossible_line_bool
-          }
-      }
     \bool_set_false:N \l__nicematrix_stop_loop_bool
     \bool_do_until:Nn \l__nicematrix_stop_loop_bool
       {
@@ -1447,415 +1440,500 @@
             \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_stop_loop_bool
           }
           {
-            \__nicematrix_if_not_empty_cell:nnTF
-              \l__nicematrix_initial_i_int \l__nicematrix_initial_j_int
-              { \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_stop_loop_bool }
+            \cs_if_exist:cTF
+              {
+                __nicematrix _ dotted _
+                \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_i_int -
+                \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_j_int
+              }
+              {
+                \int_add:Nn \l__nicematrix_initial_i_int { #3 }
+                \int_add:Nn \l__nicematrix_initial_j_int { #4 }
+                \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
+                \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_stop_loop_bool
+              }
               {
-                \cs_set:cpn
+                \cs_if_exist:cTF
+                  {
+                    pgf @ sh @ ns @ \__nicematrix_env:
+                    - \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_i_int
+                    - \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_j_int
+                  }
+                  { \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_stop_loop_bool }
                   {
-                    __nicematrix _ dotted _
-                    \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_i_int -
-                    \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_j_int
+                    \cs_set:cpn
+                      {
+                        __nicematrix _ dotted _
+                        \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_i_int -
+                        \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_j_int
+                      }
+                      { }
                   }
-                  { }
               }
           }
       }
-    \cs_if_free:cT
-      {
-        pgf@sh@ns@nm -
-        \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int -
-        \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_i_int -
-        \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_j_int
-      }
-      {
-        \bool_if:NF \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
-          {
-            \msg_error:nnx { nicematrix } { Impossible~line }
-              { \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_i_int }
-            \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_impossible_line_bool
-          }
-      }
-    \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool \__nicematrix_create_medium_nodes:
-    \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool \__nicematrix_create_medium_nodes:
   }
-\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_retrieve_coords:nn #1 #2
+\cs_new:Nn \__nicematrix_initial_cell:
+  { \__nicematrix_env: - \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_i_int - \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_j_int }
+\cs_new:Nn \__nicematrix_final_cell:
+  { \__nicematrix_env: - \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_final_i_int - \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_final_j_int }
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_set_initial_coords:
   {
-    \dim_gzero_new:N \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim
-    \dim_gzero_new:N \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim
-    \dim_gzero_new:N \g__nicematrix_x_final_dim
-    \dim_gzero_new:N \g__nicematrix_y_final_dim
-    \begin { tikzpicture } [ remember~picture ]
-      \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w
-        ( nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int -
-               \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_i_int -
-               \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_j_int #1 )
-      \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim \pgf@x
-      \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim \pgf@y
-      \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w
-        ( nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int -
-               \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_final_i_int -
-               \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_final_j_int #2 )
-      \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_x_final_dim \pgf@x
-      \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_y_final_dim \pgf@y
-    \end { tikzpicture }
+    \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim \pgf@x
+    \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim \pgf@y
   }
-\cs_generate_variant:Nn \__nicematrix_retrieve_coords:nn { x x }
-\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_adjust_with_col_nodes:
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_set_final_coords:
   {
-    \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
-      {
-        \begin { tikzpicture } [ remember~picture ]
-        \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w ( nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int - col - 1 )
-        \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim \pgf@x
-        \end { tikzpicture }
-      }
-    \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
-      {
-        \begin { tikzpicture } [ remember~picture ]
-        \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w
-          ( nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int - col - \int_eval:n { \c@jCol + 1 } )
-        \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_x_final_dim \pgf@x
-        \end { tikzpicture }
-      }
+    \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim \pgf@x
+    \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim \pgf@y
   }
-\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_draw_Ldots:nn #1 #2
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_set_initial_coords_from_anchor:n #1
+  {
+    \pgfpointanchor \__nicematrix_initial_cell: { #1 }
+    \__nicematrix_set_initial_coords:
+  }
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_set_final_coords_from_anchor:n #1
+  {
+    \pgfpointanchor \__nicematrix_final_cell: { #1 }
+    \__nicematrix_set_final_coords:
+  }
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_draw_Ldots:nnn #1 #2 #3
   {
     \cs_if_free:cT { __nicematrix _ dotted _ #1 - #2 }
       {
-        \bool_set_false:N \l__nicematrix_impossible_line_bool
         \__nicematrix_find_extremities_of_line:nnnn { #1 } { #2 } 0 1
-        \bool_if:NF \l__nicematrix_impossible_line_bool \__nicematrix_actually_draw_Ldots:
+        \group_begin:
+          \int_compare:nNnTF { #1 } = 0
+            { \color { nicematrix-first-row } }
+            {
+              \int_compare:nNnT { #1 } = \l__nicematrix_last_row_int
+                { \color { nicematrix-last-row } }
+            }
+          \keys_set:nn { NiceMatrix / xdots } { #3 }
+          \tl_if_empty:VF \l__nicematrix_xdots_color_tl { \color { \l__nicematrix_xdots_color_tl } }
+          \__nicematrix_actually_draw_Ldots:
+        \group_end:
       }
   }
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_actually_draw_Ldots:
   {
-    \__nicematrix_retrieve_coords:xx
+    \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
       {
-        \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
-          { - medium.base~west }
-          { .base~east }
+        \__nicematrix_qpoint: { col - \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_j_int }
+        \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim \pgf@x
+        \dim_add:Nn \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim \arraycolsep
+        \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_i_int - base }
+        \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim \pgf@y
       }
+      { \__nicematrix_set_initial_coords_from_anchor:n { base~east } }
+    \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
       {
-        \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
-          { - medium.base~east }
-          { .base~west }
+        \__nicematrix_qpoint: { col - \__nicematrix_succ:N \l__nicematrix_final_j_int }
+        \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim \pgf@x
+        \dim_sub:Nn \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim \arraycolsep
+        \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_final_i_int - base }
+        \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim \pgf@y
       }
-    \__nicematrix_adjust_with_col_nodes:
-    \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
-      { \dim_gset_eq:NN \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim \g__nicematrix_y_final_dim }
-    \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
-      { \dim_gset_eq:NN \g__nicematrix_y_final_dim \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim }
-    \dim_gadd:Nn \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim { 0.53 pt }
-    \dim_gadd:Nn \g__nicematrix_y_final_dim { 0.53 pt }
-    \__nicematrix_draw_tikz_line:
+      { \__nicematrix_set_final_coords_from_anchor:n { base~west } }
+    \dim_add:Nn \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim \l__nicematrix_radius_dim
+    \dim_add:Nn \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim \l__nicematrix_radius_dim
+    \__nicematrix_draw_line:
   }
-\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_draw_Cdots:nn #1 #2
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_draw_Cdots:nnn #1 #2 #3
   {
     \cs_if_free:cT { __nicematrix _ dotted _ #1 - #2 }
       {
-        \bool_set_false:N \l__nicematrix_impossible_line_bool
         \__nicematrix_find_extremities_of_line:nnnn { #1 } { #2 } 0 1
-        \bool_if:NF \l__nicematrix_impossible_line_bool
-          {
-            \__nicematrix_retrieve_coords:xx
-              {
-                \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
-                  { - medium.mid~west }
-                  { .mid~east }
-              }
-              {
-                \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
-                  { - medium.mid~east }
-                  { .mid~west }
-              }
-            \__nicematrix_adjust_with_col_nodes:
-            \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
-              { \dim_gset_eq:NN \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim \g__nicematrix_y_final_dim }
-            \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
-              { \dim_gset_eq:NN \g__nicematrix_y_final_dim \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim }
-            \__nicematrix_draw_tikz_line:
-          }
+        \group_begin:
+          \int_compare:nNnTF { #1 } = 0
+            { \color { nicematrix-first-row } }
+            {
+              \int_compare:nNnT { #1 } = \l__nicematrix_last_row_int
+                { \color { nicematrix-last-row } }
+            }
+          \keys_set:nn { NiceMatrix / xdots } { #3 }
+          \tl_if_empty:VF \l__nicematrix_xdots_color_tl { \color { \l__nicematrix_xdots_color_tl } }
+          \__nicematrix_actually_draw_Cdots:
+        \group_end:
       }
   }
-\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_draw_Vdots:nn #1 #2
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_actually_draw_Cdots:
   {
+    \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
+      {
+        \__nicematrix_qpoint: { col - \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_j_int }
+        \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim \pgf@x
+        \dim_add:Nn \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim \arraycolsep
+      }
+      { \__nicematrix_set_initial_coords_from_anchor:n { mid~east } }
+    \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
+      {
+        \__nicematrix_qpoint: { col - \__nicematrix_succ:N \l__nicematrix_final_j_int }
+        \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim \pgf@x
+        \dim_sub:Nn \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim \arraycolsep
+      }
+      { \__nicematrix_set_final_coords_from_anchor:n { mid~west } }
+    \bool_lazy_and:nnTF
+      \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
+      \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
+      {
+        \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_i_int }
+        \dim_set_eq:NN \l_tmpa_dim \pgf@y
+        \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - \__nicematrix_succ:N \l__nicematrix_initial_i_int }
+        \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim { ( \l_tmpa_dim + \pgf@y ) / 2 }
+        \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim
+      }
+      {
+        \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
+          { \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim }
+        \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
+          { \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim }
+      }
+    \__nicematrix_draw_line:
+  }
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_draw_Vdots:nnn #1 #2 #3
+  {
+    \tl_if_empty:VF \l__nicematrix_xdots_color_tl { \color { \l__nicematrix_xdots_color_tl } }
     \cs_if_free:cT { __nicematrix _ dotted _ #1 - #2 }
       {
-        \bool_set_false:N \l__nicematrix_impossible_line_bool
         \__nicematrix_find_extremities_of_line:nnnn { #1 } { #2 } 1 0
-        \bool_if:NF \l__nicematrix_impossible_line_bool
+        \group_begin:
+          \int_compare:nNnTF { #2 } = 0
+            { \color { nicematrix-first-col } }
+            {
+              \int_compare:nNnT { #2 } = \l__nicematrix_last_col_int
+                { \color { nicematrix-last-col } }
+            }
+          \keys_set:nn { NiceMatrix / xdots } { #3 }
+          \__nicematrix_actually_draw_Vdots:
+        \group_end:
+      }
+  }
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_actually_draw_Vdots:
+  {
+    \bool_set_false:N \l_tmpa_bool
+    \bool_lazy_or:nnF \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
+      {
+        \__nicematrix_set_initial_coords_from_anchor:n { south~west }
+        \__nicematrix_set_final_coords_from_anchor:n { north~west }
+        \bool_set:Nn \l_tmpa_bool
+          { \dim_compare_p:nNn \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim = \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim }
+      }
+    \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
+      {
+        \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - 1 }
+        \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim \pgf@y
+      }
+      { \__nicematrix_set_initial_coords_from_anchor:n { south } }
+    \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
+      {
+        \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - \__nicematrix_succ:N \c@iRow }
+        \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim \pgf@y
+      }
+      { \__nicematrix_set_final_coords_from_anchor:n { north } }
+    \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
+      {
+        \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
           {
-            \__nicematrix_retrieve_coords:xx
-              {
-                \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
-                  { - medium.north~west }
-                  { .south~west }
-              }
-              {
-                \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
-                  { - medium.south~west }
-                  { .north~west }
-              }
-            \bool_set:Nn \l_tmpa_bool
-              { \dim_compare_p:nNn \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim = \g__nicematrix_x_final_dim }
-            \__nicematrix_retrieve_coords:xx
-              {
-                \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
-                  { - medium.north }
-                  { .south }
-              }
-              {
-                \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
-                  { - medium.south }
-                  { .north }
-              }
-            \bool_set:Nn \l_tmpb_bool
-              { \dim_compare_p:nNn \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim = \g__nicematrix_x_final_dim }
-            \bool_if:NF \l_tmpb_bool
+            \__nicematrix_qpoint: { col - \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_j_int }
+            \dim_set_eq:NN \l_tmpa_dim \pgf@x
+            \__nicematrix_qpoint: { col - \__nicematrix_succ:N \l__nicematrix_initial_j_int }
+            \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim { ( \pgf@x + \l_tmpa_dim ) / 2 }
+            \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim
+          }
+          { \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim }
+      }
+      {
+        \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
+          { \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim }
+          {
+            \dim_compare:nNnF \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim = \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim
               {
-                \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim
+                \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim
                   {
                     \bool_if:NTF \l_tmpa_bool \dim_min:nn \dim_max:nn
-                      \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim \g__nicematrix_x_final_dim
+                      \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim
                   }
-                \dim_gset_eq:NN \g__nicematrix_x_final_dim \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim
+                \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim
               }
-            \__nicematrix_draw_tikz_line:
           }
       }
+    \__nicematrix_draw_line:
   }
-\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_draw_Ddots:nn #1 #2
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_draw_Ddots:nnn #1 #2 #3
   {
     \cs_if_free:cT { __nicematrix _ dotted _ #1 - #2 }
       {
-        \bool_set_false:N \l__nicematrix_impossible_line_bool
         \__nicematrix_find_extremities_of_line:nnnn { #1 } { #2 } 1 1
-        \bool_if:NF \l__nicematrix_impossible_line_bool
+        \group_begin:
+          \keys_set:nn { NiceMatrix / xdots } { #3 }
+          \tl_if_empty:VF \l__nicematrix_xdots_color_tl { \color { \l__nicematrix_xdots_color_tl } }
+          \__nicematrix_actually_draw_Ddots:
+        \group_end:
+      }
+  }
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_actually_draw_Ddots:
+  {
+    \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
+      {
+        \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_i_int }
+        \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim \pgf@y
+        \__nicematrix_qpoint: { col - \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_j_int }
+        \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim \pgf@x
+      }
+      { \__nicematrix_set_initial_coords_from_anchor:n { south~east } }
+    \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
+      {
+        \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - \__nicematrix_succ:N \l__nicematrix_final_i_int }
+        \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim \pgf@y
+        \__nicematrix_qpoint: { col - \__nicematrix_succ:N \l__nicematrix_final_j_int }
+        \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim \pgf@x
+      }
+      { \__nicematrix_set_final_coords_from_anchor:n { north~west } }
+    \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_parallelize_diags_bool
+      {
+        \int_gincr:N \g__nicematrix_ddots_int
+        \int_compare:nNnTF \g__nicematrix_ddots_int = 1
           {
-            \__nicematrix_retrieve_coords:xx
-              {
-                \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
-                  { - medium.north~west }
-                  { .south~east }
-              }
-              {
-                \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
-                  { - medium.south~east }
-                  { .north~west }
-              }
-            \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_parallelize_diags_bool
+            \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_delta_x_one_dim
+              { \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim - \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim }
+            \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_delta_y_one_dim
+              { \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim - \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim }
+          }
+          {
+            \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim
               {
-                \int_incr:N \l__nicematrix_ddots_int
-                \int_compare:nNnTF \l__nicematrix_ddots_int = 1
-                  {
-                    \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_delta_x_one_dim
-                      { \g__nicematrix_x_final_dim - \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim }
-                    \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_delta_y_one_dim
-                      { \g__nicematrix_y_final_dim - \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim }
-                  }
-                  {
-                    \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_y_final_dim
-                      {
-                        \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim +
-                        ( \g__nicematrix_x_final_dim - \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim ) *
-                        \dim_ratio:nn \l__nicematrix_delta_y_one_dim \l__nicematrix_delta_x_one_dim
-                      }
-                  }
+                \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim +
+                ( \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim - \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim ) *
+                \dim_ratio:nn \g__nicematrix_delta_y_one_dim \g__nicematrix_delta_x_one_dim
               }
-            \__nicematrix_draw_tikz_line:
           }
       }
+    \__nicematrix_draw_line:
   }
-\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_draw_Iddots:nn #1 #2
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_draw_Iddots:nnn #1 #2 #3
   {
     \cs_if_free:cT { __nicematrix _ dotted _ #1 - #2 }
       {
-        \bool_set_false:N \l__nicematrix_impossible_line_bool
         \__nicematrix_find_extremities_of_line:nnnn { #1 } { #2 } 1 { -1 }
-        \bool_if:NF \l__nicematrix_impossible_line_bool
+        \group_begin:
+          \keys_set:nn { NiceMatrix / xdots } { #3 }
+          \tl_if_empty:VF \l__nicematrix_xdots_color_tl { \color { \l__nicematrix_xdots_color_tl } }
+          \__nicematrix_actually_draw_Iddots:
+        \group_end:
+      }
+  }
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_actually_draw_Iddots:
+  {
+    \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
+      {
+        \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_i_int }
+        \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim \pgf@y
+        \__nicematrix_qpoint: { col - \__nicematrix_succ:N \l__nicematrix_initial_j_int }
+        \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim \pgf@x
+      }
+      { \__nicematrix_set_initial_coords_from_anchor:n { south~west } }
+    \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
+      {
+        \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - \__nicematrix_succ:N \l__nicematrix_final_i_int }
+        \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim \pgf@y
+        \__nicematrix_qpoint: { col - \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_final_j_int }
+        \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim \pgf@x
+      }
+      { \__nicematrix_set_final_coords_from_anchor:n { north~east } }
+    \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_parallelize_diags_bool
+      {
+        \int_gincr:N \g__nicematrix_iddots_int
+        \int_compare:nNnTF \g__nicematrix_iddots_int = 1
           {
-            \__nicematrix_retrieve_coords:xx
-              {
-                \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
-                  { - medium.north~east }
-                  { .south~west }
-              }
-              {
-                \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
-                  { - medium.south~west }
-                  { .north~east }
-              }
-            \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_parallelize_diags_bool
+            \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_delta_x_two_dim
+              { \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim - \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim }
+            \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_delta_y_two_dim
+              { \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim - \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim }
+          }
+          {
+            \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim
               {
-                \int_incr:N \l__nicematrix_iddots_int
-                \int_compare:nNnTF \l__nicematrix_iddots_int = 1
-                  {
-                    \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_delta_x_two_dim
-                      { \g__nicematrix_x_final_dim - \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim }
-                    \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_delta_y_two_dim
-                      { \g__nicematrix_y_final_dim - \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim }
-                  }
-                  {
-                    \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_y_final_dim
-                       {
-                         \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim +
-                         ( \g__nicematrix_x_final_dim - \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim ) *
-                         \dim_ratio:nn \l__nicematrix_delta_y_two_dim \l__nicematrix_delta_x_two_dim
-                       }
-                  }
+                \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim +
+                ( \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim - \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim ) *
+                \dim_ratio:nn \g__nicematrix_delta_y_two_dim \g__nicematrix_delta_x_two_dim
               }
-            \__nicematrix_draw_tikz_line:
           }
       }
+    \__nicematrix_draw_line:
   }
 \NewExpandableDocumentCommand \NiceMatrixLastEnv { }
   { \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int }
-\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_draw_tikz_line:
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_draw_line:
+  {
+    \pgfrememberpicturepositiononpagetrue
+    \pgf@relevantforpicturesizefalse
+    \tl_if_eq:NNTF \l__nicematrix_xdots_line_style_tl \c__nicematrix_standard_tl
+      \__nicematrix_draw_standard_dotted_line:
+      \__nicematrix_draw_non_standard_dotted_line:
+  }
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_draw_non_standard_dotted_line:
+  {
+     \begin { scope }
+     \exp_args:No \__nicematrix_draw_non_standard_dotted_line:n
+       { \l__nicematrix_xdots_line_style_tl , \l__nicematrix_xdots_color_tl }
+  }
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_draw_non_standard_dotted_line:n #1
+  {
+    \draw
+      [
+        #1 ,
+        shorten~> = \l__nicematrix_xdots_shorten_dim ,
+        shorten~< = \l__nicematrix_xdots_shorten_dim ,
+      ]
+          ( \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim , \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim )
+       -- ( \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim , \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim ) ;
+    \end { scope }
+  }
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_draw_standard_dotted_line:
   {
-    \dim_zero_new:N \l__nicematrix_l_dim
-    \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_l_dim
+    \pgfrememberpicturepositiononpagetrue
+    \pgf@relevantforpicturesizefalse
+    \group_begin:
+      \dim_zero_new:N \l__nicematrix_l_dim
+      \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_l_dim
+        {
+          \fp_to_dim:n
+            {
+              sqrt
+               (
+                 ( \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim - \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim ) ^ 2
+                    +
+                 ( \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim - \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim ) ^ 2
+               )
+            }
+        }
+      \dim_compare:nNnF \l__nicematrix_l_dim = \c_zero_dim \__nicematrix_actually_draw_line:
+    \group_end:
+  }
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_actually_draw_line:
+  {
+    \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
       {
-        \fp_to_dim:n
+        \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
           {
-            sqrt
-             (
-               (   \dim_use:N \g__nicematrix_x_final_dim
-                 - \dim_use:N \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim
-               ) ^ 2
-                  +
-               (   \dim_use:N \g__nicematrix_y_final_dim
-                 - \dim_use:N \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim
-               ) ^ 2
-             )
+            \int_set:Nn \l_tmpa_int
+              { \dim_ratio:nn \l__nicematrix_l_dim \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim }
           }
-      }
-    \dim_compare:nNnF \l__nicematrix_l_dim = \c_zero_dim
-      {
-        \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
           {
-            \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
+            \int_set:Nn \l_tmpa_int
               {
-                \int_set:Nn \l_tmpa_int
-                  { \dim_ratio:nn \l__nicematrix_l_dim \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim }
-              }
-              {
-                \int_set:Nn \l_tmpa_int
-                  {
-                    \dim_ratio:nn
-                      { \l__nicematrix_l_dim - \l__nicematrix_dotted_lines_margin_dim }
-                      \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim
-                  }
+                \dim_ratio:nn
+                  { \l__nicematrix_l_dim - \l__nicematrix_xdots_shorten_dim }
+                  \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim
               }
           }
+      }
+      {
+        \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
           {
-            \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
-              {
-                \int_set:Nn \l_tmpa_int
-                  {
-                    \dim_ratio:nn
-                      { \l__nicematrix_l_dim - \l__nicematrix_dotted_lines_margin_dim }
-                      \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim
-                  }
-              }
+            \int_set:Nn \l_tmpa_int
               {
-                \int_set:Nn \l_tmpa_int
-                  {
-                    \dim_ratio:nn
-                      { \l__nicematrix_l_dim - ( 2 \l__nicematrix_dotted_lines_margin_dim ) }
-                      \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim
-                  }
+                \dim_ratio:nn
+                  { \l__nicematrix_l_dim - \l__nicematrix_xdots_shorten_dim }
+                  \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim
               }
           }
-        \dim_set:Nn \l_tmpa_dim
-          {
-            ( \g__nicematrix_x_final_dim - \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim ) *
-            \dim_ratio:nn \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim \l__nicematrix_l_dim
-          }
-        \dim_set:Nn \l_tmpb_dim
-          {
-            ( \g__nicematrix_y_final_dim - \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim ) *
-            \dim_ratio:nn \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim \l__nicematrix_l_dim
-          }
-        \int_set:Nn \l_tmpb_int
-          {
-            \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
-              { \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool 1 0 }
-              { \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool 2 1 }
-          }
-        \dim_gadd:Nn \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim
-          {
-            ( \g__nicematrix_x_final_dim - \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim ) *
-            \dim_ratio:nn
-            { \l__nicematrix_l_dim - \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim * \l_tmpa_int }
-            { 2 \l__nicematrix_l_dim }
-            * \l_tmpb_int
-          }
-        \dim_gadd:Nn \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim
           {
-            ( \g__nicematrix_y_final_dim - \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim ) *
-            \dim_ratio:nn
-              { \l__nicematrix_l_dim - \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim * \l_tmpa_int }
-              { 2 \l__nicematrix_l_dim }
-            * \l_tmpb_int
+            \int_set:Nn \l_tmpa_int
+              {
+                \dim_ratio:nn
+                  { \l__nicematrix_l_dim - ( 2 \l__nicematrix_xdots_shorten_dim ) }
+                  \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim
+              }
           }
-        \begin { tikzpicture } [ overlay ]
-          \int_step_inline:nnn 0 \l_tmpa_int
-            {
-              \pgfpathcircle
-                { \pgfpoint { \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim } { \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim } }
-                { \l__nicematrix_radius_dim }
-              \pgfusepath { fill }
-              \dim_gadd:Nn \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim \l_tmpa_dim
-              \dim_gadd:Nn \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim \l_tmpb_dim
-            }
-        \end { tikzpicture }
       }
+    \dim_set:Nn \l_tmpa_dim
+      {
+        ( \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim - \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim ) *
+        \dim_ratio:nn \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim \l__nicematrix_l_dim
+      }
+    \dim_set:Nn \l_tmpb_dim
+      {
+        ( \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim - \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim ) *
+        \dim_ratio:nn \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim \l__nicematrix_l_dim
+      }
+    \int_set:Nn \l_tmpb_int
+      {
+        \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
+          { \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool 1 0 }
+          { \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool 2 1 }
+      }
+    \dim_gadd:Nn \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim
+      {
+        ( \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim - \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim ) *
+        \dim_ratio:nn
+          { \l__nicematrix_l_dim - \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim * \l_tmpa_int }
+          { 2 \l__nicematrix_l_dim }
+        * \l_tmpb_int
+      }
+    \dim_gadd:Nn \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim
+      {
+        ( \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim - \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim ) *
+        \dim_ratio:nn
+          { \l__nicematrix_l_dim - \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim * \l_tmpa_int }
+          { 2 \l__nicematrix_l_dim }
+        * \l_tmpb_int
+      }
+    \pgf@relevantforpicturesizefalse
+    \int_step_inline:nnn 0 \l_tmpa_int
+      {
+        \pgfpathcircle
+          { \pgfpoint \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim }
+          { \l__nicematrix_radius_dim }
+        \dim_add:Nn \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim \l_tmpa_dim
+        \dim_add:Nn \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim \l_tmpb_dim
+      }
+    \pgfusepathqfill
   }
-\cs_set_eq:NN \__nicematrix_ldots \ldots
-\cs_set_eq:NN \__nicematrix_cdots \cdots
-\cs_set_eq:NN \__nicematrix_vdots \vdots
-\cs_set_eq:NN \__nicematrix_ddots \ddots
-\cs_set_eq:NN \__nicematrix_iddots \iddots
-\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_add_to_empty_cells:
-  {
-    \cs_gset:cpx
-      { __nicematrix _ empty _ \int_use:N \c@iRow - \int_use:N \c@jCol }
-      { \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int }
-  }
-\NewDocumentCommand \__nicematrix_Ldots { s }
+\NewDocumentCommand \__nicematrix_Ldots { s O { } }
   {
-    \bool_if:nF { #1 } { \__nicematrix_instruction_of_type:n { Ldots } }
+    \bool_if:nTF { #1 }
+      { \__nicematrix_error:n { starred~commands } }
+      { \__nicematrix_instruction_of_type:nn { Ldots } { #2 } }
     \bool_if:NF \l__nicematrix_nullify_dots_bool { \phantom \__nicematrix_ldots }
-    \__nicematrix_add_to_empty_cells:
+    \bool_gset_true:N \g__nicematrix_empty_cell_bool
   }
-\NewDocumentCommand \__nicematrix_Cdots { s }
+\NewDocumentCommand \__nicematrix_Cdots { s O { } }
   {
-    \bool_if:nF { #1 } { \__nicematrix_instruction_of_type:n { Cdots } }
+    \bool_if:nTF { #1 }
+      { \__nicematrix_error:n { starred~commands } }
+      { \__nicematrix_instruction_of_type:nn { Cdots } { #2 } }
     \bool_if:NF \l__nicematrix_nullify_dots_bool { \phantom \__nicematrix_cdots }
-    \__nicematrix_add_to_empty_cells:
+    \bool_gset_true:N \g__nicematrix_empty_cell_bool
   }
-\NewDocumentCommand \__nicematrix_Vdots { s }
+\NewDocumentCommand \__nicematrix_Vdots { s O { } }
   {
-    \bool_if:nF { #1 } { \__nicematrix_instruction_of_type:n { Vdots } }
+    \bool_if:nTF { #1 }
+      { \__nicematrix_error:n { starred~commands } }
+      { \__nicematrix_instruction_of_type:nn { Vdots } { #2 } }
     \bool_if:NF \l__nicematrix_nullify_dots_bool { \phantom \__nicematrix_vdots }
-    \__nicematrix_add_to_empty_cells:
+    \bool_gset_true:N \g__nicematrix_empty_cell_bool
   }
-\NewDocumentCommand \__nicematrix_Ddots { s }
+\NewDocumentCommand \__nicematrix_Ddots { s O { } }
   {
-    \bool_if:nF { #1 } { \__nicematrix_instruction_of_type:n { Ddots } }
+    \bool_if:nTF { #1 }
+      { \__nicematrix_error:n { starred~commands } }
+      { \__nicematrix_instruction_of_type:nn { Ddots } { #2 } }
     \bool_if:NF \l__nicematrix_nullify_dots_bool { \phantom \__nicematrix_ddots }
-    \__nicematrix_add_to_empty_cells:
+    \bool_gset_true:N \g__nicematrix_empty_cell_bool
   }
-\NewDocumentCommand \__nicematrix_Iddots { s }
+\NewDocumentCommand \__nicematrix_Iddots { s O { } }
   {
-    \bool_if:nF { #1 } { \__nicematrix_instruction_of_type:n { Iddots } }
+    \bool_if:nTF { #1 }
+      { \__nicematrix_error:n { starred~commands } }
+      { \__nicematrix_instruction_of_type:nn { Iddots } { #2 } }
     \bool_if:NF \l__nicematrix_nullify_dots_bool { \phantom \__nicematrix_iddots }
-    \__nicematrix_add_to_empty_cells:
+    \bool_gset_true:N \g__nicematrix_empty_cell_bool
   }
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_Hspace:
   {
-   \__nicematrix_add_to_empty_cells:
+   \bool_gset_true:N \g__nicematrix_empty_cell_bool
    \hspace
   }
 \cs_set_eq:NN \__nicematrix_old_multicolumn \multicolumn
@@ -1877,36 +1955,41 @@
   }
 \bool_if:NTF \c__nicematrix_draft_bool
   {
-    \NewDocumentCommand \__nicematrix_Hdotsfor_i { O { }  m }
+    \NewDocumentCommand \__nicematrix_Hdotsfor_i { O { }  m O {  } }
       { \prg_replicate:nn { #2 - 1 } { & \multicolumn { 1 } { C } { } } }
   }
   {
-    \NewDocumentCommand \__nicematrix_Hdotsfor_i { O { }  m }
+    \NewDocumentCommand \__nicematrix_Hdotsfor_i { O { } m O { } }
       {
         \tl_gput_right:Nx \g__nicematrix_Hdotsfor_lines_tl
           {
-            \__nicematrix_Hdotsfor:nnn
+            \__nicematrix_Hdotsfor:nnnn
               { \int_use:N \c@iRow }
               { \int_use:N \c@jCol }
               { #2 }
+              { #3 }
           }
         \prg_replicate:nn { #2 - 1 } { & \multicolumn { 1 } { C } { } }
       }
   }
-\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_Hdotsfor:nnn #1 #2 #3
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_Hdotsfor:nnnn #1 #2 #3 #4
   {
     \bool_set_false:N \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
     \bool_set_false:N \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
     \int_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_initial_i_int { #1 }
-    \int_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_final_i_int { #1 }
+    \int_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_final_i_int \l__nicematrix_initial_i_int
     \int_compare:nNnTF #2 = 1
       {
         \int_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_initial_j_int 1
         \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
       }
       {
-        \int_set:Nn \l_tmpa_int { #2 - 1 }
-        \__nicematrix_if_not_empty_cell:nnTF \l__nicematrix_initial_i_int \l_tmpa_int
+        \cs_if_exist:cTF
+          {
+            pgf @ sh @ ns @ \__nicematrix_env:
+            - \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_initial_i_int
+            - \int_eval:n { #2 - 1 }
+          }
           { \int_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_initial_j_int { #2 - 1 } }
           {
             \int_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_initial_j_int { #2 }
@@ -1919,19 +2002,28 @@
         \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
       }
       {
-        \int_set:Nn \l_tmpa_int { #2 + #3 }
-        \__nicematrix_if_not_empty_cell:nnTF \l__nicematrix_final_i_int \l_tmpa_int
+        \cs_if_exist:cTF
+          {
+            pgf @ sh @ ns @ \__nicematrix_env:
+            - \int_use:N \l__nicematrix_final_i_int
+            - \int_eval:n { #2 + #3 }
+          }
           { \int_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_final_j_int { #2 + #3 } }
           {
             \int_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_final_j_int { #2 + #3 - 1 }
             \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
           }
       }
-    \bool_if:nT { \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool || \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool }
-      \__nicematrix_create_medium_nodes:
     \group_begin:
-      \cs_set:Npn \__nicematrix_adjust_with_col_nodes: { }
-      \__nicematrix_actually_draw_Ldots:
+    \int_compare:nNnTF { #1 } = 0
+      { \color { nicematrix-first-row } }
+      {
+        \int_compare:nNnT { #1 } = \g__nicematrix_row_total_int
+          { \color { nicematrix-last-row } }
+      }
+    \keys_set:nn { NiceMatrix / xdots } { #4 }
+    \tl_if_empty:VF \l__nicematrix_xdots_color_tl { \color { \l__nicematrix_xdots_color_tl } }
+    \__nicematrix_actually_draw_Ldots:
     \group_end:
     \int_step_inline:nnn { #2 } { #2 + #3 - 1 }
       { \cs_set:cpn { __nicematrix _ dotted _ #1 - ##1 } { } }
@@ -1939,52 +2031,73 @@
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_rotate: { \group_insert_after:N \__nicematrix_rotate_i: }
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_rotate_i: { \group_insert_after:N \__nicematrix_rotate_ii: }
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_rotate_ii: { \group_insert_after:N \__nicematrix_rotate_iii: }
-\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_rotate_iii: { \box_rotate:Nn \l__nicematrix_cell_box { 90 } }
-\cs_new:Npn \__nicematrix_double_int_eval:n #1-#2 \q_stop
-  { \int_eval:n { #1 } - \int_eval:n { #2 } }
-\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_line:nn #1 #2
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_rotate_iii:
   {
-    \use:x
+    \box_rotate:Nn \l__nicematrix_cell_box { 90 }
+    \int_compare:nNnT \c@iRow = \l__nicematrix_last_row_int
       {
-        \__nicematrix_line_i:nn
-          { \__nicematrix_double_int_eval:n #1 \q_stop }
-          { \__nicematrix_double_int_eval:n #2 \q_stop }
+        \vbox_set_top:Nn \l__nicematrix_cell_box
+          {
+            \vbox_to_zero:n { }
+            \skip_vertical:n { - \box_ht:N \@arstrutbox + 0.8 ex }
+            \box_use:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box
+          }
       }
   }
-\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_line_i:nn #1 #2
+\cs_new:Npn \__nicematrix_double_int_eval:n #1-#2 \q_stop
+  { \int_eval:n { #1 } - \int_eval:n { #2 } }
+\NewDocumentCommand \__nicematrix_line { O { } m m ! O { } }
   {
-    \bool_if:NF \c__nicematrix_draft_bool
+    \group_begin:
+    \keys_set:nn { NiceMatrix / xdots } { #1 , #4 }
+    \tl_if_empty:VF \l__nicematrix_xdots_color_tl { \color { \l__nicematrix_xdots_color_tl } }
+      \use:x
+        {
+          \__nicematrix_line_i:nn
+            { \__nicematrix_double_int_eval:n #2 \q_stop }
+            { \__nicematrix_double_int_eval:n #3 \q_stop }
+        }
+    \group_end:
+  }
+\bool_if:NTF \c__nicematrix_draft_bool
+  { \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_line_i:nn #1 #2  { } }
+  {
+    \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_line_i:nn #1 #2
       {
-        \dim_zero_new:N \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim
-        \dim_zero_new:N \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim
-        \dim_zero_new:N \g__nicematrix_x_final_dim
-        \dim_zero_new:N \g__nicematrix_y_final_dim
         \bool_set_false:N \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
         \bool_set_false:N \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
         \bool_if:nTF
           {
-            \cs_if_exist_p:c { pgf@sh@ns@nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int - #1 }
-            &&
-            \cs_if_exist_p:c { pgf@sh@ns@nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int - #2 }
-          }
-          {
-            \begin { tikzpicture }
-              \path~(#1)~--~(#2)~node[at~start]~(i)~{}~node[at~end]~(f)~{} ;
-              \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w ( i )
-              \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim \pgf@x
-              \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim \pgf@y
-              \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w ( f )
-              \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_x_final_dim \pgf@x
-              \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_y_final_dim \pgf@y
-            \end { tikzpicture }
-            \__nicematrix_draw_tikz_line:
+            \cs_if_free_p:c { pgf @ sh @ ns @ \__nicematrix_env: - #1 }
+              ||
+            \cs_if_free_p:c { pgf @ sh @ ns @ \__nicematrix_env: - #2 }
           }
           {
-            \__nicematrix_error:nnn { unknown~cell~for~line~in~code-after }
-              { #1 } { #2 }
+            \__nicematrix_error:nnn { unknown~cell~for~line~in~code-after } { #1 } { #2 }
           }
+          { \__nicematrix_draw_line_ii:nn { #1 } { #2 } }
       }
   }
+\AtBeginDocument
+  {
+    \cs_new_protected:Npx \__nicematrix_draw_line_ii:nn #1 #2
+      {
+        \c__nicematrix_pgfortikzpicture_tl
+        \__nicematrix_draw_line_iii:nn { #1 } { #2 }
+        \c__nicematrix_endpgfortikzpicture_tl
+      }
+  }
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_draw_line_iii:nn #1 #2
+  {
+    \pgfrememberpicturepositiononpagetrue
+    \pgfpointshapeborder { \__nicematrix_env: - #1 } { \__nicematrix_qpoint: { #2 } }
+    \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim \pgf@x
+    \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim \pgf@y
+    \pgfpointshapeborder { \__nicematrix_env: - #2 } { \__nicematrix_qpoint: { #1 } }
+    \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim \pgf@x
+    \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim \pgf@y
+    \__nicematrix_draw_line:
+  }
 \cs_set_eq:NN \OnlyMainNiceMatrix \use:n
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_OnlyMainNiceMatrix:n #1
   {
@@ -2006,62 +2119,154 @@
   }
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_vline: { \__nicematrix_OnlyMainNiceMatrix:n { \__nicematrix_vline_i: } }
 \cs_set_eq:NN \__nicematrix_vline_i: \vline
-\cs_new:Npn \__nicematrix_hdottedline:
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_draw_vlines:
   {
-    \bool_if:NF \c__nicematrix_draft_bool
+    \group_begin:
+    \bool_if:NT \c__nicematrix_colortbl_loaded_bool \CT@arc@
+    \pgfpicture
+    \pgfrememberpicturepositiononpagetrue
+    \pgf@relevantforpicturesizefalse
+    \pgfsetlinewidth \arrayrulewidth
+    \__nicematrix_qpoint: {row - 1 }
+    \dim_set_eq:NN \l_tmpa_dim \pgf@y
+    \pgfusepathqfill
+    \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - \__nicematrix_succ:N \c@iRow }
+    \dim_sub:Nn \l_tmpa_dim \pgf@y
+    \pgfusepathqfill
+    \dim_zero:N \l_tmpb_dim
+    \int_compare:nNnT \l__nicematrix_last_row_int > { -1 }
+      {
+        \dim_set_eq:NN \l_tmpb_dim \g__nicematrix_dp_last_row_dim
+        \dim_add:Nn \l_tmpb_dim \g__nicematrix_ht_last_row_dim
+        \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - \__nicematrix_succ:N\c@iRow }
+        \dim_add:Nn \l_tmpa_dim \pgf@y
+        \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - \__nicematrix_succ:N \g__nicematrix_row_total_int }
+        \dim_sub:Nn \l_tmpa_dim \pgf@y
+        \dim_sub:Nn \l_tmpa_dim \l_tmpb_dim
+       }
+    \int_step_inline:nnn
+      { \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_NiceArray_bool 1 2 }
+      { \bool_if:NTF \l__nicematrix_NiceArray_bool { \__nicematrix_succ:N \c@jCol } \c@jCol }
       {
-        \noalign{ \skip_vertical:n { 2 \l__nicematrix_radius_dim } }
+        \pgfpathmoveto
+          {
+            \pgfpointadd
+              { \__nicematrix_qpoint: { col - ##1 } }
+              {
+                \pgfpoint
+                  {
+                    -0.5 \arrayrulewidth
+                    \int_compare:nNnT { ##1 } = 1
+                      {
+                        \int_compare:nNnT \l__nicematrix_first_col_int = 1
+                          { + \arrayrulewidth }
+                      }
+                  }
+                  { \l_tmpb_dim }
+              }
+          }
+        \pgfpathlineto
+          {
+            \pgfpointadd
+              { \__nicematrix_qpoint: { col - ##1 } }
+              {
+                \pgfpoint
+                  {
+                    -0.5 \arrayrulewidth
+                    \int_compare:nNnT { ##1 } = 1
+                      {
+                        \int_compare:nNnT \l__nicematrix_first_col_int = 1
+                          { + \arrayrulewidth }
+                      }
+                  }
+                  { \l_tmpb_dim + \l_tmpa_dim }
+              }
+          }
+      }
+    \pgfusepathqstroke
+    \endpgfpicture
+    \group_end:
+  }
+\bool_if:NTF \c__nicematrix_draft_bool
+  { \cs_new:Npn \__nicematrix_hdottedline: { } }
+  {
+    \cs_new:Npn \__nicematrix_hdottedline:
+      {
+        \noalign { \skip_vertical:N 2\l__nicematrix_radius_dim }
         \__nicematrix_hdottedline_i:
       }
   }
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_hdottedline_i:
   {
-    \tl_gput_right:Nx \g__nicematrix_code_after_tl
+    \tl_gput_right:Nx \g__nicematrix_internal_code_after_tl
       { \__nicematrix_hdottedline:n { \int_use:N \c@iRow } }
   }
-\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_hdottedline:n #1
-  {
-    \dim_zero_new:N \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim
-    \dim_zero_new:N \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim
-    \dim_zero_new:N \g__nicematrix_x_final_dim
-    \dim_zero_new:N \g__nicematrix_y_final_dim
-    \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
-    \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
-    \begin { tikzpicture } [ remember~picture ]
-      \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w ( row - #1 )
-      \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim { \pgf@y - \l__nicematrix_radius_dim }
-      \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_y_final_dim { \pgf@y - \l__nicematrix_radius_dim }
-      \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w ( col - 1 )
-      \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim \pgf@x
-      \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w ( col - \int_eval:n { \c@jCol + 1 } )
-      \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_x_final_dim \pgf@x
-    \end { tikzpicture }
-    \__nicematrix_draw_tikz_line:
-  }
-\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_vdottedline:n #1
-  {
-    \int_compare:nNnTF #1 = 0
-      { \__nicematrix_error:n { Use~of~:~in~first~position } }
-      { \bool_if:NF \c__nicematrix_draft_bool { \__nicematrix_vdottedline_i:n { #1 } } }
+\AtBeginDocument
+  {
+    \cs_new_protected:Npx \__nicematrix_hdottedline:n #1
+      {
+        \bool_set_true:N \exp_not:N \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
+        \bool_set_true:N \exp_not:N \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
+        \c__nicematrix_pgfortikzpicture_tl
+        \__nicematrix_hdottedline_i:n { #1 }
+        \c__nicematrix_endpgfortikzpicture_tl
+      }
+  }
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_hdottedline_i:n #1
+  {
+    \pgfrememberpicturepositiononpagetrue
+    \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - #1 }
+    \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim \pgf@y
+    \dim_sub:Nn \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim \l__nicematrix_radius_dim
+    \dim_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim
+    \__nicematrix_qpoint: { col - 1 }
+    \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim
+      { \pgf@x + \arraycolsep - \l__nicematrix_left_margin_dim }
+    \__nicematrix_qpoint: { col - \__nicematrix_succ:N \c@jCol }
+    \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim
+      { \pgf@x - \arraycolsep + \l__nicematrix_right_margin_dim }
+    \tl_set:Nn \l_tmpa_tl { ( }
+    \tl_if_eq:NNF \l__nicematrix_left_delim_tl \l_tmpa_tl
+      { \dim_gadd:Nn \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim  { 0.5 \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim } }
+    \tl_set:Nn \l_tmpa_tl { ) }
+    \tl_if_eq:NNF \l__nicematrix_right_delim_tl \l_tmpa_tl
+      { \dim_gsub:Nn \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim { 0.5 \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim } }
+    \tl_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_xdots_line_style_tl \c__nicematrix_standard_tl
+    \__nicematrix_draw_line:
+  }
+\bool_if:nTF \c__nicematrix_draft_bool
+  { \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_vdottedline:n #1 { } }
+  {
+    \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_vdottedline:n #1
+      {
+        \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
+        \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
+        \bool_if:NTF \c__nicematrix_tikz_loaded_bool
+          {
+            \tikzpicture
+            \__nicematrix_vdottedline_i:n { #1 }
+            \endtikzpicture
+          }
+          {
+            \pgfpicture
+            \__nicematrix_vdottedline_i:n { #1 }
+            \endpgfpicture
+          }
+      }
   }
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_vdottedline_i:n #1
   {
-    \dim_zero_new:N \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim
-    \dim_zero_new:N \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim
-    \dim_zero_new:N \g__nicematrix_x_final_dim
-    \dim_zero_new:N \g__nicematrix_y_final_dim
-    \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_initial_open_bool
-    \bool_set_true:N \l__nicematrix_final_open_bool
-    \begin { tikzpicture } [ remember~picture ]
-      \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w ( col - \int_eval:n { #1 + 1 } )
-      \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_x_initial_dim { \pgf@x - \l__nicematrix_radius_dim }
-      \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_x_final_dim { \pgf@x - \l__nicematrix_radius_dim }
-      \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w ( row - 1 )
-      \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_y_initial_dim { \pgf@y - ( \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim / 2 ) }
-      \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w ( row - \int_eval:n { \c@iRow + 1 } )
-      \dim_gset:Nn \g__nicematrix_y_final_dim { \pgf@y + ( \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim / 2 ) }
-    \end { tikzpicture }
-    \__nicematrix_draw_tikz_line:
+    \bool_if:NT \c__nicematrix_colortbl_loaded_bool \CT@arc@
+    \pgfrememberpicturepositiononpagetrue
+    \__nicematrix_qpoint: { col - \int_eval:n { #1 + 1 } }
+    \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_x_initial_dim { \pgf@x - \l__nicematrix_radius_dim }
+    \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_x_final_dim { \pgf@x - \l__nicematrix_radius_dim }
+    \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - 1 }
+    \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_y_initial_dim { \pgf@y - 0.5 \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim }
+    \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - \__nicematrix_succ:N \c@iRow }
+    \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_y_final_dim { \pgf@y + 0.5 \l__nicematrix_inter_dots_dim }
+    \tl_set_eq:NN \l__nicematrix_xdots_line_style_tl \c__nicematrix_standard_tl
+    \__nicematrix_draw_line:
   }
 \bool_new:N \l__nicematrix_block_auto_columns_width_bool
 \keys_define:nn { NiceMatrix / NiceMatrixBlock }
@@ -2082,8 +2287,8 @@
       {
         \cs_if_exist:cT { __nicematrix_max_cell_width_ \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_NiceMatrixBlock_int }
           {
-            \dim_set:Nx \l__nicematrix_columns_width_dim
-              { \use:c { __nicematrix_max_cell_width _ \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_NiceMatrixBlock_int } }
+            \exp_args:NNc \dim_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_columns_width_dim
+              { __nicematrix_max_cell_width _ \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_NiceMatrixBlock_int }
           }
       }
   }
@@ -2095,7 +2300,7 @@
           {
             \cs_gset:cpn
               { __nicematrix _ max _ cell _ width _ \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_NiceMatrixBlock_int }
-              { \dim_use:N \g__nicematrix_max_cell_width_dim }
+              { \dim_eval:n { \g__nicematrix_max_cell_width_dim + \arrayrulewidth } }
           }
         \iow_now:Nn \@mainaux \ExplSyntaxOff
       }
@@ -2124,11 +2329,11 @@
           \l__nicematrix_first_col_int \g__nicematrix_col_total_int \__nicematrix_j:
           {
             \cs_if_exist:cT
-              { pgf@sh@ns@nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int - \__nicematrix_i: - \__nicematrix_j: }
+              { pgf @ sh @ ns @ \__nicematrix_env: - \__nicematrix_i: - \__nicematrix_j: }
               {
-                \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w
-                  ( nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int
-                       - \__nicematrix_i: - \__nicematrix_j: .south~west )
+                \pgfpointanchor
+                  { \__nicematrix_env: - \__nicematrix_i: - \__nicematrix_j: }
+                  { south~west }
                 \dim_set:cn { l__nicematrix_row_\__nicematrix_i: _min_dim}
                   { \dim_min:vn { l__nicematrix_row _ \__nicematrix_i: _min_dim } \pgf@y }
                 \seq_if_in:NxF \g__nicematrix_multicolumn_cells_seq { \__nicematrix_i: - \__nicematrix_j: }
@@ -2136,8 +2341,9 @@
                     \dim_set:cn { l__nicematrix_column _ \__nicematrix_j: _min_dim}
                       { \dim_min:vn { l__nicematrix_column _ \__nicematrix_j: _min_dim } \pgf@x }
                   }
-                \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w
-                  ( nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int - \__nicematrix_i: - \__nicematrix_j: .north~east )
+                \pgfpointanchor
+                  { \__nicematrix_env: - \__nicematrix_i: - \__nicematrix_j: }
+                  { north~east }
                 \dim_set:cn { l__nicematrix_row _ \__nicematrix_i: _ max_dim }
                   { \dim_max:vn { l__nicematrix_row _ \__nicematrix_i: _ max_dim } \pgf@y }
                 \seq_if_in:NxF \g__nicematrix_multicolumn_cells_seq { \__nicematrix_i: - \__nicematrix_j: }
@@ -2151,40 +2357,37 @@
   }
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_create_medium_nodes:
   {
-    \begin { tikzpicture } [ remember~picture , overlay ]
+    \pgfpicture
+      \pgfrememberpicturepositiononpagetrue
+      \pgf@relevantforpicturesizefalse
       \__nicematrix_computations_for_medium_nodes:
-      \tikzset { name~suffix = -medium }
+      \tl_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_suffix_tl { -medium }
       \__nicematrix_create_nodes:
-      \end { tikzpicture }
-    \cs_set_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_create_medium_nodes: { }
-    \cs_set_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_create_medium_and_large_nodes:
-      { \__nicematrix_create_large_nodes: }
+      \endpgfpicture
   }
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_create_large_nodes:
   {
-    \begin { tikzpicture } [ remember~picture , overlay ]
+    \pgfpicture
+      \pgfrememberpicturepositiononpagetrue
+      \pgf@relevantforpicturesizefalse
       \__nicematrix_computations_for_medium_nodes:
       \__nicematrix_computations_for_large_nodes:
-      \tikzset { name~suffix = -large }
+      \tl_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_suffix_tl { - large }
       \__nicematrix_create_nodes:
-    \end { tikzpicture }
-    \cs_set_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_create_large_nodes: { }
-    \cs_set_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_create_medium_and_large_nodes:
-      { \__nicematrix_create_medium_nodes: }
+    \endpgfpicture
   }
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_create_medium_and_large_nodes:
   {
-    \begin { tikzpicture } [ remember~picture , overlay ]
+    \pgfpicture
+      \pgfrememberpicturepositiononpagetrue
+      \pgf@relevantforpicturesizefalse
       \__nicematrix_computations_for_medium_nodes:
-      \tikzset { name~suffix = -medium }
+      \tl_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_suffix_tl { - medium }
       \__nicematrix_create_nodes:
       \__nicematrix_computations_for_large_nodes:
-      \tikzset { name~suffix = -large }
+      \tl_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_suffix_tl { - large }
       \__nicematrix_create_nodes:
-    \end { tikzpicture }
-    \cs_set_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_create_medium_and_large_nodes: { }
-    \cs_set_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_create_medium_nodes: { }
-    \cs_set_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_create_large_nodes: { }
+    \endpgfpicture
   }
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_computations_for_large_nodes:
   {
@@ -2231,23 +2434,18 @@
       {
         \int_step_variable:nnNn \l__nicematrix_first_col_int \g__nicematrix_col_total_int \__nicematrix_j:
           {
-            \coordinate ( __nicematrix~south~west )
-               at ( \dim_use:c { l__nicematrix_column_ \__nicematrix_j: _min_dim } ,
-                    \dim_use:c { l__nicematrix_row_ \__nicematrix_i: _min_dim } ) ;
-            \coordinate ( __nicematrix~north~east )
-               at ( \dim_use:c { l__nicematrix_column_ \__nicematrix_j: _max_dim } ,
-                    \dim_use:c { l__nicematrix_row_ \__nicematrix_i: _max_dim } ) ;
-            \node
-              [
-                node~contents = { } ,
-                fit = ( __nicematrix~south~west ) ( __nicematrix~north~east )  ,
-                inner~sep = \c_zero_dim ,
-                name = nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int - \__nicematrix_i: - \__nicematrix_j: ,
-                alias =
-                  \str_if_empty:NF \l__nicematrix_name_str
-                    { \l__nicematrix_name_str - \__nicematrix_i: - \__nicematrix_j: }
-              ]
-              ;
+            \__nicematrix_pgf_rect_node:nnnnn
+              { \__nicematrix_env: - \__nicematrix_i: - \__nicematrix_j: \l__nicematrix_suffix_tl }
+              { \dim_use:c { l__nicematrix_column_ \__nicematrix_j: _min_dim } }
+              { \dim_use:c { l__nicematrix_row_ \__nicematrix_i: _min_dim } }
+              { \dim_use:c { l__nicematrix_column_ \__nicematrix_j: _max_dim } }
+              { \dim_use:c { l__nicematrix_row_ \__nicematrix_i: _max_dim } }
+            \str_if_empty:NF \l__nicematrix_name_str
+              {
+                \pgfnodealias
+                  { \l__nicematrix_name_str - \__nicematrix_i: - \__nicematrix_j: \l__nicematrix_suffix_tl }
+                  { \__nicematrix_env: - \__nicematrix_i: - \__nicematrix_j: \l__nicematrix_suffix_tl }
+              }
           }
       }
     \seq_mapthread_function:NNN
@@ -2263,34 +2461,25 @@
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_node_for_multicolumn:nn #1 #2
   {
     \__nicematrix_extract_coords_values: #1 \q_stop
-    \coordinate ( __nicematrix~south~west ) at
-      (
-        \dim_use:c { l__nicematrix_column _ \__nicematrix_j: _ min _ dim } ,
-        \dim_use:c { l__nicematrix_row _ \__nicematrix_i: _ min _ dim }
-      ) ;
-    \coordinate ( __nicematrix~north~east ) at
-      (
-        \dim_use:c { l__nicematrix_column _ \int_eval:n { \__nicematrix_j: + #2 - 1 } _ max _ dim} ,
-        \dim_use:c { l__nicematrix_row _ \__nicematrix_i: _ max _ dim }
-      ) ;
-    \node
-      [
-        node~contents = { } ,
-        fit = ( __nicematrix~south~west ) ( __nicematrix~north~east ) ,
-        inner~sep = \c_zero_dim ,
-        name = nm - \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int - \__nicematrix_i: - \__nicematrix_j: ,
-        alias =
-          \str_if_empty:NF \l__nicematrix_name_str
-            { \l__nicematrix_name_str - \__nicematrix_i: - \__nicematrix_j: }
-      ]
-      ;
+    \__nicematrix_pgf_rect_node:nnnnn
+      { \__nicematrix_env: - \__nicematrix_i: - \__nicematrix_j: \l__nicematrix_suffix_tl }
+      { \dim_use:c { l__nicematrix_column _ \__nicematrix_j: _ min _ dim } }
+      { \dim_use:c { l__nicematrix_row _ \__nicematrix_i: _ min _ dim } }
+      { \dim_use:c { l__nicematrix_column _ \int_eval:n { \__nicematrix_j: +#2-1 } _ max _ dim } }
+      { \dim_use:c { l__nicematrix_row _ \__nicematrix_i: _ max _ dim } }
+    \str_if_empty:NF \l__nicematrix_name_str
+      {
+        \pgfnodealias
+          { \l__nicematrix_name_str - \__nicematrix_i: - \__nicematrix_j: \l__nicematrix_suffix_tl }
+          { \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_env_int - \__nicematrix_i: - \__nicematrix_j: \l__nicematrix_suffix_tl}
+      }
   }
 \NewDocumentCommand \__nicematrix_Block: { O { } m D < > { } m }
   { \__nicematrix_Block_i #2 \q_stop { #1 } { #3 } { #4 } }
 \cs_new:Npn \__nicematrix_Block_i #1-#2 \q_stop { \__nicematrix_Block_ii:nnnnn { #1 } { #2 } }
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_Block_ii:nnnnn #1 #2 #3 #4 #5
   {
-    \tl_gput_left:Nx \g__nicematrix_code_after_tl
+    \tl_gput_left:Nx \g__nicematrix_internal_code_after_tl
       {
         \__nicematrix_Block_iii:nnnnnn
           { \int_use:N \c@iRow }
@@ -2327,58 +2516,59 @@
       { \msg_error:nnnn { nicematrix } { Block~too~large } { #1 } { #2 } }
       {
         \hbox_set:Nn \l__nicematrix_cell_box { #6 }
-        \begin { tikzpicture }
-          \int_set:Nn \l_tmpa_int { #1 }
-          \int_decr:N \l_tmpa_int
-          \int_set:Nn \l_tmpb_int { #2 }
-          \int_decr:N \l_tmpb_int
-          \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w ( row - \int_eval:n { \l_tmpa_int + 1 } )
-          \dim_set_eq:NN \l_tmpa_dim \pgf@y
-          \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w ( col - \int_eval:n { \l_tmpb_int + 1 } )
-          \dim_set_eq:NN \l_tmpb_dim \pgf@x
-          \coordinate ( one ) at ( \l_tmpb_dim , \l_tmpa_dim ) ;
-          \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w ( row - \int_eval:n { #3 + 1 } )
+        \pgfpicture
+          \pgfrememberpicturepositiononpagetrue
+          \pgf@relevantforpicturesizefalse
+          \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - #1 }
           \dim_set_eq:NN \l_tmpa_dim \pgf@y
-          \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w ( col - \int_eval:n { #4 + 1 } )
+          \__nicematrix_qpoint: { col - #2 }
           \dim_set_eq:NN \l_tmpb_dim \pgf@x
-          \coordinate ( two ) at ( \l_tmpb_dim , \l_tmpa_dim ) ;
+          \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - \__nicematrix_succ:N #3 }
+          \dim_set_eq:NN \l_tmpc_dim \pgf@y
+          \__nicematrix_qpoint: { col - \__nicematrix_succ:N #4 }
+          \dim_set_eq:NN \l_tmpd_dim \pgf@x
           \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_white_bool
             {
-              \fill [ white , line~width = 0 pt]
-                ( [ yshift = -\arrayrulewidth ] one )
-                rectangle
-                ( [ xshift = -\arrayrulewidth ] two ) ;
+              \begin { pgfscope }
+              \pgfsetfillcolor { white }
+              \int_compare:nNnT { #2 } = 1
+                {
+                  \int_compare:nNnT \l__nicematrix_first_col_int = 1
+                    { \dim_add:Nn \l_tmpb_dim \arrayrulewidth }
+                }
+              \pgfpathrectanglecorners
+                { \pgfpoint \l_tmpb_dim { \l_tmpa_dim - \arrayrulewidth } }
+                { \pgfpoint { \l_tmpd_dim - \arrayrulewidth } \l_tmpc_dim }
+              \pgfusepathqfill
+              \end { pgfscope }
             }
-          \use:x
-            {
-              \exp_not:N \node
-                [
-                  fit = ( one ) ( two ) ,
-                  inner~sep = 0 pt ,
-                  \l__nicematrix_tikz_tl
-                ]
-            }
-            (#1-#2-block) { } ;
+          \begin { pgfscope }
+          \exp_args:Nx \pgfset { \l__nicematrix_tikz_tl }
+          \__nicematrix_pgf_rect_node:nnnnn
+            { \__nicematrix_env: - #1 - #2 - block }
+            \l_tmpb_dim \l_tmpa_dim \l_tmpd_dim \l_tmpc_dim
+          \end { pgfscope }
         \bool_if:NT \l__nicematrix_medium_nodes_bool
           {
-            \node
-              [
-                fit = ( #1 - #2 - medium . north~west )
-                      ( #3 - #4 - medium . south~east ) ,
-                inner~sep = 0 pt ,
-              ]
-              (#1-#2-block-medium) { } ;
+            \__nicematrix_pgf_rect_node:nnn
+              { \__nicematrix_env: - #1 - #2 - block - medium }
+              { \pgfpointanchor { \__nicematrix_env: - #1 - #2 - medium } { north~west } }
+              { \pgfpointanchor { \__nicematrix_env: - #3 - #4 - medium } { south~east } }
           }
         \int_compare:nNnTF { #1 } = { #3 }
           {
-              \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w (row-#1-base)
-              \dim_set_eq:NN \l_tmpa_dim \pgf@y
-              \__nicematrix_extract_coords:w (#1-#2-block)
-              \path (\pgf@x,\l_tmpa_dim) node [ anchor = base ]
-                { \box_use_drop:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box } ;
+            \pgfextracty \l_tmpa_dim { \__nicematrix_qpoint: { row - #1 - base } }
+            \__nicematrix_qpoint: { #1 - #2 - block }
+            \pgftransformshift { \pgfpoint \pgf@x \l_tmpa_dim }
+            \pgfnode { rectangle } { base }
+              { \box_use_drop:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box } { } { }
+          }
+          {
+            \pgftransformshift { \__nicematrix_qpoint: { #1 - #2 - block } }
+            \pgfnode { rectangle } { center }
+              { \box_use_drop:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box } { } { }
           }
-          { \node at (#1-#2-block.center) { \box_use_drop:N \l__nicematrix_cell_box } ; }
-        \end { tikzpicture }
+        \endpgfpicture
       }
     \group_end:
   }
@@ -2454,7 +2644,12 @@
     transparent .meta:n = { renew-dots , renew-matrix } ,
     transparent .value_forbidden:n = true,
     obsolete-environments .code:n =
-      \__nicematrix_msg_redirect_name:nn { Obsolete~environment } { none }
+      \__nicematrix_msg_redirect_name:nn { Obsolete~environment } { none } ,
+        obsolete-environments .value_forbidden:n = true,
+    starred-commands .code:n =
+      \__nicematrix_msg_redirect_name:nn { starred~commands } { none } ,
+    starred-commands .value_forbidden:n = true ,
+
   }
 \ProcessKeysOptions { NiceMatrix / Package }
 \cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_convert_to_str_seq:N #1
@@ -2486,31 +2681,57 @@
       }
       { \__nicematrix_fatal:n { too~much~cols~for~array } }
   }
+\cs_new:Npn \__nicematrix_message_hdotsfor:
+  {
+    \tl_if_empty:VF \g__nicematrix_Hdotsfor_lines_tl
+     { ~Maybe~your~use~of~\token_to_str:N \Hdotsfor\ is~incorrect.}
+  }
 \__nicematrix_msg_new:nn { too~much~cols~for~matrix~with~last~col }
   {
     You~try~to~use~more~columns~than~allowed~by~your~
-    \__nicematrix_full_name_env:.~The~maximal~number~of~columns~is~
-    \int_eval:n { \l__nicematrix_last_col_int - 1 }~(plus~the~potential~
+    \__nicematrix_full_name_env:.\__nicematrix_message_hdotsfor:\ The~maximal~number~of~
+    columns~is~\int_eval:n { \l__nicematrix_last_col_int - 1 }~(plus~the~potential~
     exterior~ones).~This~error~is~fatal.
   }
 \__nicematrix_msg_new:nn { too~much~cols~for~matrix }
   {
     You~try~to~use~more~columns~than~allowed~by~your~
-    \__nicematrix_full_name_env:.~ Recall~that~the~maximal~number~of~columns~
-    for~a~matrix~is~fixed~by~the~LaTeX~counter~'MaxMatrixCols'.~
-    Its~actual~value~is~\int_use:N \c@MaxMatrixCols.~This~error~is~fatal.
+    \__nicematrix_full_name_env:.\__nicematrix_message_hdotsfor:\ Recall~that~the~maximal~
+    number~of~columns~for~a~matrix~is~fixed~by~the~LaTeX~counter~
+    'MaxMatrixCols'.~Its~actual~value~is~\int_use:N \c@MaxMatrixCols.~
+    This~error~is~fatal.
   }
 \__nicematrix_msg_new:nn { too~much~cols~for~array }
   {
     You~try~to~use~more~columns~than~allowed~by~your~
-    \__nicematrix_full_name_env:.~The~maximal~number~of~columns~is~
-    \int_use:N \c@jCol\space (plus~the~potential~exterior~ones).~
+    \__nicematrix_full_name_env:.\__nicematrix_message_hdotsfor:\ The~maximal~number~of~columns~is~
+    \int_eval:n { \c@jCol - 1 }~(plus~the~potential~exterior~ones).~
     This~error~is~fatal.
   }
+\__nicematrix_msg_new:nn { bad~option~for~line-style }
+  {
+    Since~you~haven't~loaded~Tikz,~the~only~value~you~can~give~to~'line-style'~
+    is~'standard'.~If~you~go~on,~this~option~will~be~ignored.
+  }
+\__nicematrix_msg_new:nn { Unknown~option~for~xdots }
+  {
+    As~for~now~there~is~only~three~options~available~here:~'color',~'line-style'~
+    and~'shorten'~(and~you~try~to~use~'\l_keys_key_str').~If~you~go~on,~
+    this~option~will~be~ignored.
+  }
+\__nicematrix_msg_new:nn { starred~commands }
+  {
+    The~starred~versions~of~\token_to_str:N \Cdots,~\token_to_str:N \Ldots,~
+    \token_to_str:N \Vdots,~\token_to_str:N\Ddots\ and~\token_to_str:N\Iddots\
+    are~deprecated.~However,~you~can~go~on~for~this~time.~If~you~don't~want~to~
+    see~this~error~we~should~load~'nicematrix'~with~the~option~
+    'starred-commands'.
+  }
 \__nicematrix_msg_new:nn { bad~value~for~baseline }
   {
-    The~value~you~gave~to~'baseline'~(\int_use:N \l_tmpa_int)~is~not~
-    valid.\\
+    The~value~given~to~'baseline'~(\int_use:N \l_tmpa_int)~is~not~
+    valid.~The~value~must~be~between~\int_use:N \l__nicematrix_first_row_int\ and~
+    \int_use:N \g__nicematrix_row_total_int\ or~equal~to~'t',~'c'~or~'b'.\\
     If~you~go~on,~a~value~of~1~will~be~used.
   }
 \__nicematrix_msg_new:nn { Second~Block }
@@ -2523,7 +2744,7 @@
 \__nicematrix_msg_new:nn { unknown~cell~for~line~in~code-after }
   {
     Your~command~\token_to_str:N\line\{#1\}\{#2\}~in~the~'code-after'~
-    can't~be~executed~because~a~Tikz~node~doesn't~exist.\\
+    can't~be~executed~because~a~cell~doesn't~exist.\\
     If~you~go~on~this~command~will~be~ignored.
   }
 \__nicematrix_msg_new:nn { last-col~non~empty~for~NiceArray }
@@ -2545,12 +2766,6 @@
     too~small~for~that~block. \\
     If~you~go~on,~this~command~will~be~ignored.
   }
-\__nicematrix_msg_new:nn { Impossible~line }
-  {
-    A~dotted~line~can't~be~drawn~because~you~have~not~put~
-    all~the~ampersands~required~on~the~row~#1.\\
-    If~you~go~on,~this~dotted~line~will~be~ignored.
-  }
 \__nicematrix_msg_new:nn { Wrong~last~row }
   {
     You~have~used~'last-row=\int_use:N \l__nicematrix_last_row_int'~but~your~
@@ -2592,7 +2807,6 @@
     create-extra-nodes,~
     create-medium-nodes,~
     create-large-nodes,~
-    dotted-lines-margin,~
     end-of-row,~
     exterior-arraycolsep,~
     hlines,~
@@ -2606,8 +2820,11 @@
     renew-matrix,~
     right-margin,~
     small,~
-    transparent~
-    and~vlines.
+    transparent,~
+    vlines,~
+    xdots/color,~
+    xdots/shorten~and~
+    xdots/line-style.
   }
 \__nicematrix_msg_new:nnn { Unknown~option~for~NiceArray }
   {
@@ -2630,7 +2847,6 @@
     create-extra-nodes,~
     create-medium-nodes,~
     create-large-nodes,~
-    dotted-lines-margin,~
     end-of-row,~
     extra-left-margin,~
     extra-right-margin,~
@@ -2649,7 +2865,10 @@
     right-margin,~
     small,~
     t,~
-    and~vlines.
+    vlines,~
+    xdots/color,~
+    xdots/shorten~and~
+    xdots/line-style.
   }
 \__nicematrix_msg_new:nnn { Unknown~option~for~NiceMatrix }
   {
@@ -2669,7 +2888,6 @@
     create-extra-nodes,~
     create-medium-nodes,~
     create-large-nodes,~
-    dotted-lines-margin,~
     end-of-row,~
     extra-left-margin,~
     extra-right-margin,~
@@ -2677,6 +2895,7 @@
     first-row,~
     hlines,~
     hvlines,~
+    l~(=L),~
     last-col,~
     last-row,~
     left-margin,~
@@ -2684,10 +2903,14 @@
     name,~
     nullify-dots,~
     parallelize-diags,~
+    r~(=R),~
     renew-dots,~
     right-margin,~
     small,~
-    and~vlines.
+    vlines,~
+    xdots/color,~
+    xdots/shorten~and~
+    xdots/line-style.
   }
 \__nicematrix_msg_new:nnn { Duplicate~name }
   {
@@ -2713,12 +2936,6 @@
     and~R~in~the~preamble~of~your~environment. \\
     This~error~is~fatal.
   }
-\__nicematrix_msg_new:nn { Use~of~:~in~first~position }
-  {
-    You~can't~use~the~column~specifier~'\l__nicematrix_letter_for_dotted_lines_str'~in~the~
-    first~position~of~the~preamble~of~the~\__nicematrix_full_name_env:. \\
-    If~you~go~on,~this~dotted~line~will~be~ignored.
-  }
 \__nicematrix_msg_new:nn { Obsolete~environment }
   {
     The~environment~\{\@currenvir\}~is~obsolete.~You~should~use~#1~instead.~
@@ -2823,6 +3040,55 @@
     \NiceArrayWithDelims
   }
   { \endNiceArrayWithDelims }
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_pgf_rect_node:nnnnn #1 #2 #3 #4 #5
+  {
+    \begin { pgfscope }
+    \pgfset
+      {
+        outer~sep = \c_zero_dim ,
+        inner~sep = \c_zero_dim ,
+        minimum~size = \c_zero_dim
+      }
+    \pgftransformshift { \pgfpoint { 0.5 * ( #2 + #4 ) } { 0.5 * ( #3 + #5 ) } }
+    \pgfnode
+      { rectangle }
+      { center }
+      {
+        \vbox_to_ht:nn
+          { \dim_abs:n { #5 - #3 } }
+          {
+            \vfill
+            \hbox_to_wd:nn { \dim_abs:n { #4 - #2 } } { }
+          }
+      }
+      { #1 }
+      { }
+    \end { pgfscope }
+  }
+\cs_new_protected:Npn \__nicematrix_pgf_rect_node:nnn #1 #2 #3
+  {
+    \begin { pgfscope }
+    \pgfset
+      {
+        outer~sep = \c_zero_dim ,
+        inner~sep = \c_zero_dim ,
+        minimum~size = \c_zero_dim
+      }
+    \pgftransformshift { \pgfpointscale { 0.5 } { \pgfpointadd { #2 } { #3 } } }
+    \pgfpointdiff { #3 } { #2 }
+    \pgfgetlastxy \l_tmpa_dim \l_tmpb_dim
+    \pgfnode
+      { rectangle }
+      { center }
+      {
+        \vbox_to_ht:nn
+          { \dim_abs:n { \l_tmpb_dim } }
+          { \vfill \hbox_to_wd:nn { \dim_abs:n { \l_tmpa_dim } } { } }
+      }
+      { #1 }
+      { }
+    \end { pgfscope }
+  }
 
 \endinput
 %%