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Manual / Draw

ARC (3-point arc)

Draw an arc through 3 points: the start point, a point on the arc and the end point.

What it does

ARC draws an arc that passes through the 3 points you click.

Where to find it

  • Ribbon: Draw › Draw › Arc (3-Point submenu)
  • Command line: ARC (alias A)

Steps

  1. Type A and press Enter.
  2. Click the start point (ARC: specify the start point).
  3. Click any point on the arc (ARC: specify a point on the arc).
  4. Click the end point (ARC: specify the end point).

3-point arc
3-point arc

Note: To round the corner between two lines, use FILLET. It creates a tangent arc exactly.

Try it: Arched garden gate

A cottage-style timber gate with an arched top. It takes less than 3 minutes and you practise ARC by typing all 3 points.

  1. Type REC and press Enter. Type 0,0 and press Enter, then type 1000, press Tab, type 1400 and press Enter. This is the gate leaf, 1000 wide and 1400 mm high.
  2. Type A and press Enter. Type 0,1400 Enter (start point), 500,1750 Enter (point on the arc) and 1000,1400 Enter (end point). The arch rises 350 mm.
  3. Repeat with the points 100,1400, 500,1650 and 900,1400 for the inner edge of the arch.
  4. Add the boards: type L, press Enter, type 250,0 Enter, @0,1400 Enter, then press Esc. Repeat at 500,0 and 750,0.

Arched garden gate, 1000 wide with a 350 mm arch
Arched garden gate, 1000 wide with a 350 mm arch

Challenge: Use MIRROR across the right edge to turn it into a double gate.

See also