Elliptical Arcs

Command: ELLIPSE + A

An elliptical arc is a portion of an ellipse. The default method for drawing an elliptical arc is to specify the endpoints of one axis of the ellipse, and then specify a distance representing half the length of the second axis. Then you specify the start and end angles for the arc, measured from the center of the ellipse in relation to its major axis.

Other methods to draw elliptical arcs can be found in the Ellipse submenu of the Draw menu and in the Elliptical Arcs toolbar.

General procedure to draw an elliptical arc

1. Do one of the following:
   • Click the Elliptical Arc tool button () on the Draw toolbar.
   • Launch the Ellipse command using the Arc option.

   You are prompted: Center/<First end of ellipse axis>:

   A prompt menu displays:

   

2. Specify the first end or the ellipse axis.
   You are prompted: Second end of axis:

3. Specify the second end of the ellipse axis.
   You are prompted: Rotation/<Other axis>
   A prompt menu displays:

   

4. Specify the length of half the other axis of the ellipse.
   You are prompted: Parameter/<Start angle of arc>:
   The prompt menu changes:

   

5. Specify the start angle of the elliptical arc.
   The elliptical arc is drawn dynamically when you move the crosshairs.
   You are prompted: Parameter/Included/<End angle>:
   The prompt menu changes:

   

6. Specify the end angle of the elliptical arc.

Editing an elliptical arc

1. Select the elliptical arc.
   The properties of the elliptical arc display in the Properties bar.

   

2. Type a new value in the Center, Major radius, Minor radius, Radius ratio, Start angle or End angle field, then press Enter.

3. Press the Esc key to stop editing the elliptical arc.