May 26, 2013

How to: Draw an Arc with a Specific Arc Length?

This question appears in our local forum. Is there any way we can create an arc by defining the arc length? There is no direct way to do this. There are some methods that seem to allow you define length. For example start, center, length. But this is defining the chord length, not the arch length.

chord_length

There is a suggestion to calculate the angle using simple mathematic calculation, comparing the arch radius and arch length. After you get the angle value, then you can draw it. But it is not easy.

One of our member, Ast, suggest a better solution: draw the arch, then modify it using lengthen tool.

AutoCAD_lenghten_tool

Lengthen tool allows you to define the object total length, including an arch. Select the total length option, then type the distance you want.

Command:  LENGTHEN
Select an object or [DElta/Percent/Total/DYnamic]: T

Specify total length or [Angle] <1.0000)>: 1000

Select an object to change or [Undo]:

Now if I try to inquiry or see the arc properties, I will see the arch has the exact length I wanted.

arch_length_properties

I never need to draw arch by defining it’s length. Any body knows why we would need to do that?

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About Edwin Prakoso

Edwin works as an Application Engineer in Jakarta, Indonesia. He has 4 years experience in building industry, then start to work for Autodesk reseller.
He is certified as Revit Architecture 2010 certified professional and AutoCAD 2013 certified professional.
He loves sharing his experience and starts to blog on CAD notes. Now using CAD is more to a lifestyle for him than working.
You can reach him on twitter @CADnotes. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn. If you prefer email, reach him at edwin.prakoso@cad-notes.com.

  • http://civil3dplus.wordpress.com Brian Hailey

    Who needs to draw an arc with a specific length? Surveyors need to do it all the time. Based on a legal description, something like, “Then an arc to the left, having a radius of X and length of Y”. I was hoping dynamic input and grips would be an alternative but it looks like you have the best way to do it.

    • http://cad-notes.com Edwin Prakoso

      Thanks for the information Brian.
      I don’t work much in surveying, so this is a valuable information for me.

  • http://cad-notes.com/2010/05/how-to-draw-an-arc-with-a-specific-arc-length/ vanthiyathevan

    really helpfull , thanks brain

  • Mit

    I have been drawing polygons the last weeks, this is very helpful. Thank you

  • Richard

    We have to measure “girth” dimensions all the time on ships, so we lay out arc lenths on the screen for verification.

  • Odong

    Edwin, thanks for the info, greatly usefull! I’m laying a subsea cable and need to modify our route. I need to define an exact arch length as our new lay route for the cable end. This is the best answer.

    Greeting from all Surveyors :)

    • http://cad-notes.com Edwin Prakoso

      Odong,
      I’m glad this tip can help. Greetings to all surveyors :)

    • dave

      Same here, modifying subsea cable routes. good tip thanks

  • atiq

    hello every body
    i want to know .. that
    why dimensions are spread here and there when we move an object ?
    plz solve my problem
    atiq

  • Pingback: The best 100 AutoCAD productivity tips - the ultimate list | CAD Notes

  • dave

    Same here, modifying subsea cable routes. good tip thanks

  • Tom McGuigan

    I found this lisp routine at cadalyst that does the job:

    http://cadtips.cadalyst.com/curved-objects/create-and-list-arcs

    I hope this helps someone!

    • http://cad-notes.com Edwin Prakoso

      Thanks Tom :)
      I never thought that there would be a LISP to do it.

  • joshua

    man you have know idea how much this tip helps. up until now, the project i was working on was kicking my trash. THANKS!

  • Ramillesantiago

    genius!! thank you so much…

  • Erika

    I have to do it all the time: when we work with documents that describes an area, they always describe using the lenght and 2 points. The command “Lenghten” don work properly for me, beacause besides the specific lenght, I also have 2 points that can’t be changed. In other words, the radius, unknown, varies…..

  • Erika

    I have to do it all the time: when we work with documents that describes an area, they always describe using the lenght and 2 points. The command “Lenghten” don work properly for me, beacause besides the specific lenght, I also have 2 points that can’t be changed. In other words, the radius, unknown, varies…..

  • Erika

    It doesn’t work for me. I need a Lisp that requires and star point, end point and lengh.

  • Erika

    It doesn’t work for me. I need a Lisp that requires and star point, end point and lengh.