Arc Between Points

Used to create an arc between points.

You can access this tool from the following:

Ribbon: Geometry > Horizontal > Arcs split button

Arc Between Points creates an arc between points. The most common usage is Arc between 3 points, but other variations are available.

Points can be defined in several ways:

A click in the graphics
Defined using Civil AccuDraw
Snapped relative to other elements
An existing geometry point element

Arc Between Points Dialog

Any of the inputs may be locked in the dialog when the tool starts or at any time while the tool is active. All of the values on the dialog are dynamically updated as the cursor moves.

Six Workflows for Creating the Arc

Start Point, Radius, and Sweep Angle (or length)
Center Point, Radius, and Sweep Angle (or length)
Start Point, End Point, and Pass-Thru Point
Start Point, Pass-Thru Point, and End Point
Start Direction, End Point
Start Point, End Direction

Workflow 1 (Start, Radius Method)

Prompt Number	Prompt For	Options
1	Placement Method	Start, Radius
2	Start Point	Arc Start Point
3	Center Point	Radius
4	Sweep Angle/Length	Sweep Angle or Length

Select the placement method.
Select the start point of the arc.
Select the center point at which radius can be locked.
Select the end point at which sweep angle or length can be locked.

Use left/right arrows to toggle between sweep angle and length.

The sweep angle or the length can be locked.

Workflow 2 (Center, Radius Method)

Prompt Number	Prompt For	Options
1	Placement Method	Center, Radius
2	Center Point	Radius
3	Start Point	Radius or Start Direction
4	Sweep Angle/Length	Sweep Angle or Length

Select the placement method.
Select the center point of the arc.
Select the center point at which radius can be locked.
- The radius is shown at the cursor and can be locked by typing a value.
- The prompt can toggle to start direction, which can be locked.
- Data point to set the start point.
Select the end point at which sweep angle or length can be locked.
- Use left/right arrows to toggle between sweep angle and length.
- The sweep angle or the length can be locked.

Workflow 3 (Start, End, Pass-Thru Method)

Prompt Number	Prompt For	Options
1	Placement Method	Start, End, Pass-Thru
2	Start Point	Arc Start Point
3	End Point	Radius, Length, or Sweep Angle
4	Through Point	Radius, Length, or Sweep Angle

Select the placement method.
Select the start point of the arc.
Select the end point at which the radius can be locked.
- The radius is shown at the cursor and can be locked by typing a value.
- Use left/right arrows to toggle between length or sweep angle, either of which can be locked.
- Select a data point to set as the end point.
Select the pass-thru point in which radius, sweep angle, or length can be locked.
- Use left/right arrows to toggle between radius, sweep angle, and length.

Workflow 4 (Start, Pass-Thru, End Method)

Prompt Number	Prompt For	Options
1	Placement Method	Start, End, Pass-Thru
2	Start Point	Arc Start Point
3	Through Point	Radius, Length, or Sweep Angle
4	End Point	Radius, Length, or Sweep Angle

Select the placement method.
Select the start point of the arc.
Select the pass-thru point in which radius, sweep angle, or length can be locked.
- The radius is shown at the cursor and can be locked by typing a value.
- Use the left/right arrows to toggle between sweep angle and length, either of which can be locked.
- Select a data point to set the pass-thru point.
Select the end point, allowing radius to be locked.

Workflows 5 & 6 (Start Direction, End & Start, End Direction Method)

Start Direction, End

Prompt Number	Prompt For	Options
1	Placement Method	Start Direction, End
2	Start Point	Start Tangent Direction
3	End Point	Start Tangent Direction
4	Start Tangent	Start Tangent Direction

Start, End Direction

Prompt Number	Prompt For	Options
1	Placement Method	Start, End Direction
2	Start Point	End Tangent Direction
3	End Point	End Tangent Direction
4	End Tangent	End Tangent Direction

Select the placement method.
Select the start point of the arc in which the start tangent direction can be locked.
Select the end point in which start tangent direction remains on the prompt and can be locked.
Select the start tangent direction or end tangent direction.

Manipulators

Use Element Selection to select the arc and see its edit manipulators.

When the arc is placed without snaps and without Civil Accudraw constraints you will see the manipulators as shown above. The manipulators can be used to edit the line as follows:

The radius and length text manipulators can be clicked to allow editing of the value
The arrows parallel to the arc can be clicked to extend or trim the arc
The end point arrows perpendicular to the line can be clicked to move the end points perpendicular to the arc
The dot shaped manipulators at the end points can be clicked to move the end point
The dot at arc mid-point can be clicked to dynamically move the radius
The dot at the pass-thru point can be clicked to move the pass-thru point
The dot at PI can be clicked to move the PI point
The arrows at PI can be clicked to slide the PI point along the back or ahead tangent

Properties

Rule data is also accessible in the properties of the arc. Select the arc and click Element > Information. Most data in the property pane can be edited to change the arc definition.

Note: When you review geometry the Element Information dialog displays the terrain models that the geometry belongs to, if any.