An almost complex structure on is a compatible almost complex structure when , , and
is a positive-definite inner product. To prove existence, choose any Riemannian metric and define by . The metric construction of a compatible almost complex structure
is smooth and compatible, so the space is nonempty.
Identify the compact symplectic manifold with its image under the symplectic embedding. Along there is a symplectic splitting
Choose compatible almost complex structures on both summands and take their direct sum. Its associated metric makes the two summands orthogonal. Extend this metric from the closed submanifold to all of using a partition of unity, and apply the metric construction again. Along it recovers the prescribed direct sum, so the resulting global compatible satisfies . This is the relative extension of a compatible almost complex structure.
For the two compact complex curves, use the supplied holomorphic coordinates at their transverse intersection. There is . Replace it in a small ball by the complex annulus and use a cutoff in a surrounding annulus to rejoin the unchanged curves. For sufficiently small nonzero , the result is an embedded symplectic surface . This local replacement is a bordism between the old and new cycles, so
This is the symplectic smoothing of a positive transverse node.