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The Arc tool, which creates circular arcs of any angle, has seven modes. The Push/Pull mode is available in 3D views for instantly extruding the arc after creation.
The Arc tool and Quarter Arc tool share the same position on the Basic palette. Click and hold the mouse on the visible tool to open the Pop-out tools list and select the desired tool.
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Mode |
Description |
Radius |
Defines the arc by its center |
Three Points |
Defines the arc by clicking three points |
Tangent to Line |
Defines the arc by defining a tangent to a line |
Center |
Defines the arc by clicking two points and a center |
Specified Radius |
Defines the arc by two points and a specified radius |
Point on Arc |
Defines the arc by two end points and another point on the arc |
Arc Length |
Defines the arc by the arc length and specified chord length |
Push/Pull (3D views only) |
Instantly extrudes the arc after creation; see Push/Pull mode of planar tools |
Push/Pull Combine (available with Push/Pull mode) |
When the shape to be extruded is drawn on the face of a solid object, combines the two objects into a single solid addition or solid subtraction; when this submode is disabled, the new extrude remains a separate object, and the existing solid object remains unchanged |
Either move the mouse to draw the arc or use the Data bar to enter an angle. Degrees start on the positive X axis (the “East” direction), and increase going counter-clockwise. (“East” is 0 degrees; “North” is 90 degrees; and “West” is 180 degrees.) To draw a quarter-circle arc beginning at 0 degrees and ending at the 6 o’clock position, enter -90 (minus 90) degrees. Enter 270 to draw an arc three-quarters of a circle around.
To create a NURBS curve, draw an arc and then select Modify > Convert > Convert to NURBS.
To edit an arc, click the middle handle with the Selection tool and drag to change the arc radius. Press the Option key (Mac) or Alt key (Windows) to change the arc’s size.
Mode |
Tool |
Tool set |
Shortcut |
Radius
|
Arc
|
Basic |
3 |
To create an arc by its radius:
1. Click the tool and mode.
2.Click to set the center of the arc.
3.Click the start point of the arc. Move the cursor until the desired arc orientation and size are previewed.
4.Click to set the end point of the arc.
Mode |
Tool |
Tool set |
Shortcut |
Three Points
|
Arc
|
Basic |
3 |
To create an arc by three points:
1. Click the tool and mode.
2.Click to set the start point of the arc.
3.Click to set the point for the arc to pass through. Move the cursor until the desired arc orientation and size is previewed.
4.Click to set the end point of the arc.
Mode |
Tool |
Tool set |
Shortcut |
Tangent to Line
|
Arc
|
Basic |
3 |
To create an arc by tangent:
1. Click the tool and mode.
2.Click to set the start point of the arc.
3.Click to define the line to which the arc will be tangent. Move the cursor until the desired arc orientation and size is previewed.
4.Click to set the end point of the arc.
Use tangent snapping to assist with drawing the arc tangent to geometry; see Snap to tangent (2D Only).
Mode |
Tool |
Tool set |
Shortcut |
Center
|
Arc
|
Basic |
3 |
To create an arc by two points and center:
1. Click the tool and mode.
2.Click to set the start point of the arc.
3.Click to set the end point of the arc.
As the cursor moves, the center of the arc is manipulated.
4.Click outside the arc to set the center.
Mode |
Tool |
Tool set |
Shortcut |
Specified Radius
|
Arc
|
Basic |
3 |
To create an arc by two points and a specified radius:
1. Click the tool and mode.
2.Click to set the start point of the arc.
3.Click to set the end point of the arc.
The Arc Radius dialog box opens. Enter the length of the radius.
Mode |
Tool |
Tool set |
Shortcut |
Point on Arc
|
Arc
|
Basic |
3 |
To create an arc by two end points and another point on the arc:
1. Click the tool and mode.
2.Click to set the start point of the arc.
3.Click to set the end point of the arc.
4.Move the cursor until the desired arc shape and size is previewed, and then click to set the arc. To constrain the angle of the line between the arc endpoints, press the Shift key when drawing the arc.
Mode |
Tool |
Tool set |
Shortcut |
Arc Length
|
Arc
|
Basic |
3 |
To create an arc by arc length and chord length:
1. Click the tool and mode.
2.Click to set the start point of the arc.
3.Click to set the end point of the arc.
The Arc Length dialog box opens; set the parameters.
Click
to show/hide the parameters.
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