Chapter 7. Drawing Curves and Points
AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT offer a number of ways to create curved objects. You can draw circles, arcs, ellipses, and donuts (also spelled as doughnuts). In this chapter, I also cover point objects, which are neither curves nor lines but don't deserve their own chapter.
Note
Several complex objects — such as polylines, splines, regions, and boundaries — involve curves. These are covered in Chapter 16.
Drawing Circles
Circles are common objects in drawings. In mechanical drawings, they often represent holes or wheels. In architectural drawings, they may be used for doorknobs, trash baskets, or trees. In electrical and piping schematics, they are used for various kinds of symbols.
Understanding the circle options
Tip
You can also create a circle tangent to other objects by using the two-point (2P) method or three-point (3P) method, picking those points with the Tangent object snap.
Table 7.1. Six Ways to Draw a Circle
Option | Description |
|---|---|
Center, Radius | This option is the default. Specify the center and then the radius. You can type the radius as a distance, or pick a point where you want the circumference to be. |
Center, Diameter | Specify the center. Choose the |
2P (2 Points) | Choose the |
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