Creating a Bitangent Circle (with at least a Point)

You can create a circle by selecting any two elements and a point to which circle is to be tangent.

  1. From the Create section of the action bar, click Circle .
  2. In the Circle type list, select Bitangent and point.
  3. In the Element 1 box, select a point or a curve to which the circle is to be tangent.
  4. In the Curve2 box, select a curve.
  5. In the Point box, select a point on the second curve.
    If the point is not lying on the curve, it is projected onto it.
  6. In the Support box, select a plane or planar surface.

    Note: To project the circle onto the support plane or surface, click .

    Tip: If one of the selected inputs is a planar curve, then the Support is set to Default (Plane). If an explicit Support needs to be defined, a context menu is available to clear the selection in order to select the desired support. This automatic support definition saves you from performing useless selections.

    Several solutions may be possible, so click in the region where you want the circle to be. Depending on the active Circle Limitations icon, the corresponding circle or circular arc is displayed.
    Complete circle

    Trimmed circle

    Complementary trimmed circle



  7. Click to trim the element.
  8. To specify the axis computation mode, select the Axis computation check box.
  9. To specify the center computation mode, select the Center computation check box.
  10. Click to select the other circular arc that is suitable for current specifications.
  11. Click OK to create the circle or circular arc.
    The circle (identified as Circle.xxx ) is added to the tree.