Ellipse Arc > On Ellipse (Temporary Objects Menu)

This command is used to create a Temporary Object as an ellipse arc on top of an existing ellipse. The arc is determined by identifying an ellipse and entering the start and end angles.

This command is particularly useful if an ellipse arc is to be drawn on a Construction Aid element. In this case, the Construction Aid ellipse must be identified and then the start and end angles are used as intersections within the Construction Aid.

Any ellipse which exists independently or as part of another object can be identified as the reference object. This can also be the arc of an ellipse segment.

The arc's start angle can be entered by clicking the mouse anywhere in the drawing. The position of this point relative to the center determines the start angle.

The arc's end angle can be entered by clicking the mouse anywhere in the drawing. The position of this point relative to the center determines the end angle.

The appearance of the ellipse arc is affected by the current arc direction setting. This is set using the command Toggle Arc Direction (F2), with the F2 key or the button in the panel. If the arc direction is positive, then the ellipse arc is drawn in a mathematically positive direction (i.e. counterclockwise) from the start angle to the end angle. If the arc direction is negative, then the ellipse arc is drawn in a mathematically negative direction (i.e. clockwise) from the start angle to the end angle (see graphic).

The resulting ellipse arc is shown while it is being entered and changes immediately if the current arc direction is changed.