Menu path
CAD > Insert > Circle
Circles are CAD elements you can insert to create curved geometry in your roof designs. They're useful for creating rounded features, marking reference points, or defining curved roof sections and details.
🧾 Circle insertion methods overview
Method | Description |
3-Points | Circle passing through three selected points |
Radius | Circle defined by centre and radius point |
Radius= | Circle with specified radius value |
Diam | Circle defined by two diameter points |
Diam= | Circle with specified diameter value |
Tang-Lin-Pnt | Circle tangent to line, passing through point |
Tang-Lin-Lin | Circle tangent to two intersecting lines |
Tangent 3 lines | Circle tangent to three co-planar lines |
Tangent 3 circles | Circle tangent to three co-planar circles |
🔧 How to access circle tools
From the main menu: CAD > CAD Insert > Circle
Or turn on the right-hand menu (Menu On/Off in the Pulldown Menu) and go to CAD > Circle for additional options
🛠 Circle insertion methods
3-Points
Inserts a circle whose circumference passes through three selected point locations. The first point becomes the start/end of the circle's circumference, while the next two points define the size and orientation.
Note: If the three locations are co-linear, a circle will not be inserted.
Radius
Creates a circle by defining its radius with two point locations. The first point is the circle's origin, and the second point is on the circumference.
Radius=
Inserts a circle with a specified radius value. Enter the radius, then select the circle's origin. The orientation is determined by the current CPL (Current Plane of Layout).
Diam
Creates a circle whose diameter is defined by two point locations. The first point is the start/endpoint of the circle, and the second point defines the diameter and orientation.
Diam=
Inserts a circle with a specified diameter value. Enter the diameter, then select the circle's origin. The orientation is determined by the current CPL.
Tang-Lin-Pnt
Creates a circle with specified radius that's tangent to an existing line and passes through a selected point.
Steps:
Specify the radius
Select the reference line
Select the reference point location
Select the approximate circle origin
The start/endpoint of the circle is its tangent point on the reference line. The command treats the reference line as having infinite extensions when determining tangency.
Tang-Lin-Lin
Inserts a circle with specified radius that's tangent to two intersecting lines. The circle's origin is placed on the bisector of the angle created by the two lines.
Steps:
Specify the radius
Select the two reference lines near the ends where tangent points should be calculated
Tangent 3 lines
Creates a circle tangent to three co-planar lines. Its circumference will pass through all tangent points.
Steps:
Select three reference lines near the desired tangent points
Select a point defining the approximate circle origin
Requirements:
All three lines must not be parallel
None of the three lines can be co-linear
Lines are treated as having infinite extensions
Tangent 3 circles
Inserts a circle tangent to three co-planar circles. Select each reference circle approximately at the desired tangential point.
The circumference passes through all three tangent points. All reference circles must be co-planar.
💡 Understanding circle properties
Circles are model entities defined by three associated points: the origin, first axis point (start/endpoint), and second axis point (always at right angles to the first). The axes are equal in length - for different axis lengths, use ellipse insertion instead.
After insertion, circles can be trimmed, divided, and used to generate points around the circumference.
⚠️ Important notes
Circle visibility can be controlled through Defaults Vis-Model command's Circles modifier
The three associated points can be selected with the snap/help button but cannot be deleted
Lines are 3D entities - they may appear to intersect in current view but not in 3D space
Reference lines are treated as having infinite endpoint extensions for tangency calculations