Sketching Tangent Arcs

To sketch tangent arcs:

  1. Click Tangent Arc Tool_Tangent_Arc_Sketch.gif.
  2. Click pointer_tangent_arc.gif on the end point of a line, arc, ellipse, or spline.
  3. Drag the arc to the desired shape and release.
    sketch_tangent_arcs.gif
    SOLIDWORKS infers from the pointer motion whether you want a tangent or normal arc. There are four intent zones, with eight possible results as shown. Moving the pointer in a tangent direction creates a tangent arc. Moving the pointer in a normal direction creates a normal arc. You can toggle between tangent and normal arcs by returning to the end point and moving away in a new direction.
    sketch_tangent_arc_intent.gif

    Video: Sketching Tangent Arcs

  4. Click PM_OK.gif.
    You can transition from sketching a line to sketching a tangent arc without selecting the Tangent Arc tool by autotransitioning.