i have just installed a new directory macros/latex/contrib/pict2e, which
contains a distribution of the new (real) pict2e package, as documented
in lamport, 2nd edition.
from the readme:
This package was described in the 2nd edition of LaTeX: A Document
Preparation System, but the LaTeX project team declined to produce
the package. For a long time, LaTeX has included a pict2e package
that merely produced an apologetic error message.
The new package extends the existing LaTeX picture environment, using
the familiar technique (cf. the graphics and color packages) of driver
files. The package documentation (pict2e.dtx) has a fair number of
examples of use, showing where things are improved by comparison with
the LaTeX picture environment.
Robin Fairbairns
For the authors (Rolf Niepraschk and Hubert Gaesslein), and the LaTeX
and CTAN teams