Draws a circle tangent to an existing line by defining two perimeter points.
How to use
1. Click the 2 Point Tangent Circle icon or choose the Tools > Curves > Circle > Circle: 2 points, tangent command.
2. The program console prompts Point #1.
3. Place the first perimeter point either by clicking and dragging within any view (release the mouse button to confirm placement) or by typing its XYZ coordinates in the console. Values must be separated by a comma, i.e. 1,2,3, and confirmed by pressing Enter. If you press Enter without typing any value, the point will be placed in correspondence with the XYZ origin.
4. Repeat step 3 at the Point #2 console prompt.
5. The program console prompts Tangent line.
6. Pick in the view the line to which the circle will be tangent.
Options
Point #1
Point #2
To modify XYZ coordinates of perimeter points.
Views. Choose the Edit mode. Click the point whose position you want to modify and drag it. Release the mouse button when you have reached the desired position.
Modeling Tool panel. Type the new values in the XYZ data fields and confirm them by pressing Enter.
Tangent line
To change the line to which the circle will be tangent.
Views / Modeling Tool panel. Switch the Replace check button on and pick another tangent line in the scene.
Start angle
To change sweep of the arc.
Views. Choose the Edit mode. Click the Start point hotSpot and drag it. Release the mouse once you have reached the desired angle.
Modeling Tool panel. Set the value either by moving the slider or by typing it in the data field and pressing Enter. The value can range from 0 to 360 degrees.
End angle
To change sweep of the arc.
Views. Choose the Edit mode. Click the End point hotSpot and drag it. Release the mouse button when you reach the desired angle.
Modeling Tool panel. Set the value either by moving the slider or by typing it in the data field and pressing Enter. The value can range from 0 to 360 degrees.
Arc type
To specify whether the circle must be weighted (exact) or non-weighted (approximated).
Modeling Tool panel. Switch the chosen radio button on. You have the following options: Weighted and Non-weighted. If you choose the first option, the number of control points is automatically defined. With the second option you can set the number of control points in the section below.
Note: in general, you could use Weighted if you do not plan to modify the original shape and Non-weighted if you want to edit it.
Points
To determine the number of control points of the circle in case you have chosen Non-weighted in the above section.
Modeling Tool panel. Set the value either by moving the slider or by typing it in the data field and pressing Enter (remember: the more the control points, the more approximated the circle).
The Modeling Tool panel also displays XYZ coordinates of the Center of the circle and the Radius value. These are not modifiable.
See also: