Ellipse

Draw > Ellipse

Draw an ellipse or an ellipse quarter. Select one of the following methods:

  • Centre, Axes - Indicate the centre point and axes.
  • Axis, Radius - Indicate the axis and height (radius).
  • Between 2 Lines - Indicate two perpendicular lines in whose intersection to draw an ellipse quarter.

See also Indicating points and Line Style toolbar.

Centre, Axes

Draw an ellipse by indicating the ellipse centre point and both its axes.

  1. Indicate centre point: Press Enter to use the position of the current control as the centre point.
  2. Indicate length first axis: Press Enter to use the current mouse position. A temporary line is drawn between the first and the second point.
  3. Indicate length second axis: Press Enter to use the current mouse position. The ellipse is drawn using the indicated centre point and axes. The temporary line is deleted.
  • Axis, Radius: Switch to the Axis, Radius function. This option is only available when you have not indicated any points yet.
  • Number of Line Segments [current value]: Change the number of line segments used for drawing the ellipse. The default value is 128. The minimum is 3, and the maximum is 200. By setting the number of line segments lower you create less accurate ellipses. This option becomes available after indicating the ellipse centre point.

Axis, Radius

Draw an ellipse by indicating the ellipse axis and specifying its radius.

  1. Indicate starting point of first axis: Press Enter to use the position of the current control as the axis starting point.
  2. Indicate ending point of first axis: Press Enter to use the current mouse position. A temporary line is drawn between the first and the second point. The current control moves to the centre point of the ellipse.
  3. Indicate length second axis: Enter the ellipse's radius in the dynamic input, or press Enter to use the current mouse position. The ellipse is drawn using the indicated points and the specified radius. The temporary line is deleted.
  • Centre, Axes: Switch to the Centre, Axes function. This option is only available when you have not indicated any points yet.
  • Number of Line Segments [current value]: Change the number of line segments used for drawing the ellipse. The default value is 128. The minimum is 3, and the maximum is 200. By setting the number of line segments lower you create less accurate ellipses. This option becomes available after indicating the ellipse first point.

Between 2 Lines

Draw one ellipse quarter between two perpendicular lines by indicating the distances from the intersection of the lines.

  1. Indicate intersection of lines: Press Enter to use the position of the current control as the intersection point. The indicated point must be an intersection point of two perpendicular lines.
  2. Indicate length first side of ellipse: Press Enter to use the current mouse position. The indicated point must be on one of the lines. If you indicate the distance by entering a value in the dynamic input, the angle may be corrected by latching.
  3. Indicate length second side of ellipse: Press Enter to use the current mouse position. The indicated point must be on the other line, which must be perpendicular to the first line. If you indicate the distance by entering a value in the dynamic input, the angle may be corrected by latching. After validating the points a quarter ellipse whose starting and ending points correspond to the indicated points is drawn.
  • Axis, Radius: Switch to the Axis, Radius function. This option is only available when you have not indicated any points yet.
  • Number of Line Segments [current value]: Change the number of line segments used for drawing the quarter ellipse. The default value is 32, and the maximum is 200. By setting the number of line segments lower you create less accurate ellipses. This option becomes available after indicating the first point.

Splitting an ellipse

Drawn ellipse is created as one line vector and cannot be divided into smaller line segments by the clump or conflict selection. If you want to divide an ellipse into smaller segments, you must first allow the ellipse to be split by editing its properties.

  • Right-click on the ellipse, and select Properties from the context menu.
  • Select the Allow to Split check box.