2 Circles

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

Icon

Command

Shortcut Key

Toolbar

GEOMCIRCLETANCC

 

Geometry

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

If the specified radius is too small, the radius is updated to the minimum value allowed. Indicate the correct tangential circle from the options available.

The geometry circles indicated must be coplanar and cannot be concentric.

Geometry lines are infinite lines that never print or plot, and are seen in all layers. To change the appearance of all geometry, see Geometry Settings under System Settings.

Procedure

To draw a geometry circle of given radius to touch two geometry circles tangentially:

  1. Select Geometry ► Circles ► Tangent to ► 2 Circles, or click the icon in the Geometry toolbar.

  2. You are prompted to:

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

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

  1. You are prompted to:

  1. 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 rubberbanded preview of the circle is added to one of the centre points.

  1. You are prompted to:

The circle rubberbands depending on which centre point the cursor is nearer to.

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

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

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

  1. 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

  1. The function repeats.

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