Create and modify 3D models > Create 2D geometry > Draw a circle
  
Draw a circle
The Circle command on the Modeling tab, in the Draw group, provides visual feedback with information such as the radius dimension, and indicates when your circle is tangent to a line.
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• When you draw a circle, you can select two points in the viewport or on a workplane to set the line which connects the two points as a mirror. For more information, see Set a mirror for 2D geometrical elements.
• For information about highlighting intersecting elements, see Draw a line or an arc.
To draw a circle,
1. Click Modeling and then, in the Draw group, click the arrow next to Circle.
2. Click Center & Radius.
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To change from the radius mode to the diameter mode,
• Click on the status bar or
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When you change from the radius mode to the diameter mode , the following circle commands change:
• On the Modeling tab, in the Draw group, the Circle Center & Radius changes to Center & Diameter.
• On the Modeling tab, in the Draw group, the Construction Circle Center & Radius changes to Center & Diameter.
• On the Modeling tab, in the Modify 2D group, Radius changes to Diameter.
3. Click a point on the workplane to mark the center of your circle.
4. Move the cursor to see the visual feedback (radius of the circle), as shown in the image below.
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In the diameter mode, the visual feedback shows the diameter of the circle as shown in the image below. To switch to diameter mode, see Change 2D CoPilot settings.
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• To set the radius of a circle in the radius mode, press SPACEBAR, click on the Option Mini Toolbar (OMT), and type a value for the radius. You can also right-click somewhere in the viewport, choose Set Radius from the context menu, and type a value for the radius.
• To set the diameter of a circle in the diameter mode, press SPACEBAR, click on the Option Mini Toolbar (OMT), and type a value for the diameter. You can also right-click somewhere in the viewport, choose Set Diameter from the context menu, and type a value for the diameter.
5. Click again to complete the circle. You can also type the radius value and press ENTER.
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You can use the Linear Bisector or the Angular Bisector command (on-the-fly) when you draw a circle; for example, to find the midpoint between two circles.
• To use a linear bisector:
◦ Press X or,
◦ Right-click and choose Linear Bisector on the context menu or,
◦ Press SPACEBAR or the assigned key and click on the Option Mini Toolbar (OMT).
• To use an angular bisector:
◦ Press Y or,
◦ Right-click and choose Angular Bisector on the context menu or,
◦ Press SPACEBAR or the assigned key and click on the OMT.
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You can use the Line Between 2 Points command (on-the-fly) to create a temporary line and then use the midpoint of this line as a reference to create circles.
To create a temporary reference line between two points:
a. Press M, or right-click in the viewport and choose Line Between 2 Points on the context menu.
Alternatively, press SPACEBAR or the assigned key and click on the OMT.
b. Select any two points on the viewport. For example, you can select two opposite vertices of a rectangle. See Example: Drawing a rectangle using a line between two points as a reference.
6. You can create as many circles as you want before you close the operation.
7. Click to complete the operation.
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To draw a circle relative to up to two elements, see Draw an element relative to up to two elements.
You can use the Circle 3 Pnts command to draw a circle through three points or tangent to up to three elements.
To draw a circle tangent to three elements,
1. Click Modeling and then, in the Draw group, click the arrow next to Circle.
2. Click 3 Points.
3. Click the first point of the circle. If you click any point on an existing geometry (except a center point, midpoint, vertex, or an intersection point), the circle starts tangent to that element.
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• Ensure that Automatic Tangent Circle by 3 Points is selected in 2D CoPilot Settings. By default, Automatic Tangent Circle by 3 Points is selected.
• If you select the first element as tangent reference, the circle created has a tangent constraint and remains tangent to this element.
4. Move the cursor to increase the radius of the circle. You can also type the radius.
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• As you move the cursor over other 2D elements in the viewport, the 2D CoPilot automatically shows points on the elements where the circle is tangent to those elements.
• In the diameter mode, the visual feedback shows the diameter of the circle. To switch to diameter mode, see Change 2D CoPilot settings.
5. Click the second point of the circle. If you clicked any existing geometry (except a center point, midpoint, vertex, or an intersection point), the circle will be tangent to this.
6. Click the third point of the circle to complete the circle. You can click any existing geometry (except a center point, midpoint, vertex, or an intersection point) to create the circle tangent to that element.
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When you mark the second and third points of the circle:
• To set the radius of a circle in the radius mode, press SPACEBAR, click on the Option Mini Toolbar (OMT), and type a value for the radius. You can also right-click somewhere in the viewport, choose Set Radius from the context menu, and type a value for the radius.
• To set the diameter of a circle in the diameter mode, press SPACEBAR, click on the Option Mini Toolbar (OMT), and type a value for the diameter. You can also right-click somewhere in the viewport, choose Set Diameter from the context menu, and type a value for the diameter.
7. Draw as many circles as desired.
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You can use the Linear Bisector or the Angular Bisector command (on-the-fly) when you draw a circle; for example, to find the midpoint between two circles.
• To use a linear bisector:
◦ Press X or,
◦ Right-click and choose Linear Bisector on the context menu or,
◦ Press SPACEBAR or the assigned key and click on the Option Mini Toolbar (OMT).
• To use an angular bisector:
◦ Press Y or,
◦ Right-click and choose Angular Bisector on the context menu or,
◦ Press SPACEBAR or the assigned key and click on the OMT.
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You can use the Line Between 2 Points command (on-the-fly) to create a temporary line and then use the midpoint of this line as a reference to create circles.
To create a temporary reference line between two points:
a. Press M, or right-click in the viewport and choose Line Between 2 Points on the context menu.
Alternatively, press SPACEBAR or the assigned key and click on the OMT.
b. Select any two points on the viewport. For example, you can select two opposite vertices of a rectangle. See Example: Drawing a rectangle using a line between two points as a reference.
8. Click to complete the operation.
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You can type a value for the radius before clicking the third point or element.
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When the 2D CoPilot is active, press SPACEBAR to open the Option Mini Toolbar (OMT) and select Geometry or Construction in the box to change the drawing mode.