Arcs

Sketch, edit, and extrude an arc.

Sketch an Arc

Sketch an arc by defining three points, a tangency point and an end point, or the center and end points.

  1. On the Geometry ribbon, in the Create group, click one of the Arc tools.
  2. Designate the sketch plane and enter sketch mode:
    • If there is already geometry, click a face.
    • If there is no geometry, you don't need to do anything. The global x-y plane is designated as the sketch plane and you automatically enter sketch mode.
  3. Optional: Click Create New Part to place the arc into a new part.
  4. Choose from the following options:
    To sketch this Do this Note
    Arc Tangent to End
    1. Click near an end point of a curve, and then click again to define the arc.
    2. You can resize the arc by entering a radius or an angle.


    		 Use snap points to draw an arc that is perpendicular or tangent to other lines, and snap to predefined points on your model such as end, middle, center, and intersection points.
    Arc by 3 Pts
    1. Click to define the center of the arc length, and then click a second and third time define the end points.
    2. You can resize the arc by entering a radius or an angle.


    		 Use snap points to draw an arc that is perpendicular or tangent to other lines, and snap to predefined points on your model such as end, middle, center, and intersection points.
    Arc by Center and Ends
    1. Click to define the center of the circle that the arc is a part of, and then click a second and third time to define the end points.
    2. You can resize the arc by entering a radius or an angle.


    		 Use snap points to draw an arc that is perpendicular or tangent to other lines, and snap to predefined points on your model such as end, middle, center, and intersection points.
         
  5. Right-click, and then mouse through the check mark to exit sketch mode and enter sketch editing mode.

Edit an Arc

Reposition, resize, or apply a sketch constraint.

First, you need to enter sketch editing mode:
  • If a sketch tool is active, right-click and then mouse through the check mark to enter sketch editing mode.
  • If a sketch tool isn't active, double-click a face or sketch curve.
  1. Edit the arc.
    To Do this
    Reposition the arc Drag the center point.
    Resize the arc
    • Click the arc, and then enter a radius or an angle.
    • Drag the arc line or an end point.
    Apply a sketch constraint to the arc Right-click the arc, and then select a sketch constraint on the context menu.


  2. Right-click, and then mouse through the check mark to exit sketch editing mode and enter push/pull mode.
    Tip:
    • If you sketched the curve on a face, the curve is imprinted onto the face and can no longer be edited when you exit sketch editing mode.
    • If you sketched a curve that doesn't touch a face, faces are created from any closed loops in the sketch. You can still edit the curve by double-clicking a face.

Extrude a Sketch Curve

In push/pull mode, extrude a sketch curve into a solid.

First, you need to be in push/pull mode. You are placed into push/pull mode automatically when you exit sketch editing mode.
  1. Choose from the following options:
    • To extrude closed loops of curves into solid material, drag the curves outward.
    • To turn closed loops of curves into holes, drag the curves inward.
  2. Right-click, and then mouse through the check mark to exit push/pull mode.
  3. Right-click the extruded sketch, and then click Make New Part from Solids.
Tip: Open curves that cut across the edges of a face can also be pushed and pulled, either to create new geometry or to carve away existing material.

Keyboard Shortcuts & Mouse Controls

To Do this
Place points Click
Edit arc Click while in sketch editing mode
Exit sketch mode and enter sketch editing mode Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.
Exit sketch editing mode and enter push/pull mode Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.
Exit push/pull mode Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.
Exit tool Right-click and mouse through the check mark to exit, or double-right-click.