Tangent to 2 Circles

Draw a circle with a specified radius tangent to two circles.

This function allows you to draw a circle of given radius tangent to two circles, by indicating the two circles and specifying the radius of the tangential circle.

If the specified radius is too small, the radius updates to the minimum value allowed.

Indicate the correct tangential circle from the options available.

The circles indicated must be coplanar and cannot be concentric.

Procedure

1. You are prompted to:

2. You can set the radius of the circle by clicking in the text box or using [Tab] to move into the text box, and then typing the required radius. Press [Enter] or click Enter .

3. Position the cursor near the geometry circle to add the tangential circle to, and then press [Enter] or click to indicate the circle.

4. The circle is highlighted and you are prompted to:

5. Position the cursor near the second geometry circle to add the tangential circle to, and then press [Enter] or click to indicate the line. The circle is highlighted and the two tangential circle centre points are indicated. A rubber banded preview of the circle is added to one of the centre points.

6. You are prompted to:

7. The circle rubber bands depending on which centre point the cursor is nearer to.

8. Position the cursor near the correct centre point and press [Enter] or click to select the point.

If the specified radius is to small then you will receive the following error message.

When you click OK, the radius updates to the minimum value allowed to fit between the two circles.

9. If the incorrect circles have been selected, right-click in the drawing area and select Cancel to return to the beginning and indicate the geometry circles again.

10. The function repeats.

11. Right-click and select Quit to end the function. Alternatively, press [Esc].