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07.04.07 Drawing Curved Linears - 3-Point Arc Segment Tool

Last Updated: 2022-02-21 14:53

You can use the 3-Point Arc Segment Tool (a 3-Point arc is a curve) to draw a curved segment whose endpoints might not ever intersect. A 3-Point Arc is not a section of a circle, per se, although you could adjust it to mimic one, it would be easier to use either the Rounded Arc tool (Rounded Arc Segment Linear Takeoff tool) or the Ellipse tool (Elliptical Linear Takeoff tool). (Rounded Arcs and Ellipses are discussed in the previous and next articles.)

You may be asking, what is the difference between a Rounded Arc and a 3-Point Arc.

  • A Rounded Arc is a section of a circle - when extended out, its endpoints would meet to create a perfect circle (could be a very large circle, but eventually, those endpoints would meet).
  • A 3-Point curve is a parabola (or an arch) that can be symmetrical or asymmetrical, it does not matter - when extended out, its endpoints might never touch(although they could). A 3-point curve is not a section of a circle.
Note
As you are drawing straight segments, you can press "A" on your keyboard to set the next segment to a Rounded Arc or "R" to set the next segment to a 3-Point curve. See Related Articles for more information.

3-Point Arc Linear Takeoff Tool

The 3-Point Arc tool draws an arc with three control boxes that allow you to change the size and radius of the arc.

To draw a 3-point arc:

  • Click the 3-Point Arc button on the Linear Takeoff Tool toolbar,
  • Click the first point to create an anchor for the segment,
  • Click the 2nd point to create a point where the curve intersects,
  • Click the endpoint (ignore the exact shape of the arc for now, you can adjust all three points after saving the object),

a 3-point curved segment

Once drawn, you can click and drag any of the control boxes to adjust the shape of the curve.

Adjusting a 3-Point Arc - Endpoints

If you click one of the two endpoints and drag it closer to the other endpoint, you can see that you are straightening the side of the arc on this side of the midpoint (green triangle)

adjusting a 3-point arc by an endpoint
Before adjusting

adjusting a 3-point arc by an endpoint - after
After moving the endpoint

Adjusting a Rounded Arc - Midpoint

If you grab the midpoint (the green triangle), you can the apex (if your arc was standing vertically) by dragging closer to or away from the straight line that connects your endpoints.

adjusting a 3-point arc by midpoint
Before adjusting midpoint

adjusting a 3-point arc by midpoint
After adjusting midpoint

By adjusting the endpoints and the midpoint, you can accommodate any size or shape circular arc.

Warning
Before drawing any takeoff, you must set and verify Scale, see Related Articles.

click here to view the previous article Curved Linears - Rounded Arc Segment Tool Drawing Elliptical Linear Takeoff click here to view the next article



 

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