How Do You Draw an Arc Between Two Points in AutoCAD?

AutoCAD is a powerful software used by architects, engineers, and designers for creating detailed drawings. One common task in AutoCAD is drawing an arc between two points. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the steps to accomplish this task.

Step 1: Launch AutoCAD

First, ensure that you have AutoCAD installed on your computer. Once it’s installed, launch the application by double-clicking on the AutoCAD icon.

Step 2: Open a New Drawing

To begin drawing an arc between two points, open a new drawing by clicking on “New” under the “File” menu or by using the shortcut Ctrl + N.

Step 3: Set the Units

Before proceeding further, it’s important to set the units for your drawing. This ensures that your arc will be accurately sized. To set the units, go to “Format” in the menu bar, select “Units,” and choose your desired unit system (e.g., inches or millimeters).

Step 4: Activate the Arc Tool

To draw an arc in AutoCAD, you need to activate the Arc tool from the toolbar or by typing “ARC” in the command line and pressing Enter.

Step 5: Specify the First Point

Select one of the following methods to specify the first point:

  • Type “Start” in the command line and press Enter. Then enter the coordinates of your desired starting point (e., X,Y).
  • Alternatively, click on a specific point on your drawing area using your mouse.

Step 6: Specify the Second Point

Select one of the following methods to specify the second point:

  • Type “End” in the command line and press Enter. Then enter the coordinates of your desired endpoint.

Step 7: Set Additional Parameters (Optional)

If you want to customize your arc further, you can set additional parameters such as radius or angle. These options are available in the command line or toolbar, depending on your AutoCAD version. Experiment with these parameters to achieve the desired arc shape.

Step 8: Complete the Arc

To finish drawing the arc, press Enter or right-click anywhere on your drawing area. AutoCAD will create an arc between the two specified points based on the parameters you have set.

Tips for Drawing Arcs in AutoCAD:

  • Use Object Snaps: To ensure accuracy, utilize object snaps to precisely select points on existing objects or grid intersections.
  • Use Polar Tracking: Enable polar tracking to draw arcs at specific angles relative to existing lines or objects.
  • Create Tangent Arcs: To create an arc that is tangential to existing lines or arcs, use the “Tangent” option while specifying points.

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to draw an arc between two points in AutoCAD.

With this knowledge, you can now create precise and detailed drawings with ease. Keep practicing and exploring different features of AutoCAD to enhance your skills further.