Line Tangent To Arc

[ToolMan184]

Im stuck.

 

I have a circle I need to create a line tangent at 45 degrees. I cant figure out how to do this. I try to create a line but it wont let me select the tangent option. Any suggestions?

[Storkman]

If the horizontal or vertical buttons are selected , unselect them.

[ToolMan184]

They are not selected Terry. I may have figured it out. Not 100% sold on it yet though.

[crazy^millman]

Best way I have found it to use the snap tangent then if you want it tangent to another arc just do the same thing. Also hold down ctrl button if not using the snap it will allow you to pick the arc without having to worry about auto cursor grabbing a point, nearest, quadrant, or something like that when suing this function.

 

HTH

[Dan@home]

Unselect Vert & Horz then select Tanget Icon to the right. Move your curssor over the arc or circle, before comming in contact with the arc it will light up then click (without making contact) and your line will be connected tangent automatic, then you have to mess with it.

[ToolMan184]

Daniel,

 

Thats what I came up with. You would think that when you tell it 45 degree it would figure the correct side of the circle, but it jumps to the other side. After about an hour of #$%^ing with it I got what I needed.

 

Im beginning to get VERY FRUSTRATED messing with MC and all the damn work arounds. Im beginning to wonder just why in the HELL I pay for Maint. every year. I have been wanting to get Lathe for over a year and cant bring myself to do it with all the problems Lathe has. Its SAD.....VERY SAD.

[Dan@home]

After you connect the line tanget, before doing the next click drag it threw the circle and it should change sides.

 

Hopefuly lathe will have more attention put on it....SOON.

[Guest]

it seems like every time i use tangent i have to click the tangent icon twice or hit the hot key t twice.anybody else see that

[Thad]

Just so you know, you can make contact with the circle, just don't let it snap to a quadrant, midpoint, etc. That's what Crazy was talking about earlier.

 

I think it's somewhat common in CAD software that when you create a line tangent, if you move the mouse around, you can get the tangent line to change directions. I know MC isn't the only one that does it like that. I certainly wouldn't call MC buggy software because you couldn't figure out how to draw a line tangent. Maybe for other reasons but not because of tangent lines.

 

del, I have not seen that.

 

Thad

[Jaz]

It helps if you 'lock' the angle you want before selecting the arc.

[ToolMan184]

quote:

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I certainly wouldn't call MC buggy software because you couldn't figure out how to draw a line tangent. Maybe for other reasons [Cool] but not because of tangent lines.

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Thad I agree, but there are soooooo many things you have to have work arounds to do. Just venting several of my frustrations in 1 post.

[edmBosto]

HEy toolman how's it goin'?

 

I think you just need to get used to the create line tangent. My method is I lock in the angle and type in a line length, then I bring my curser close to the entity and when it highlights without the autocurser kicking in (or hit Ctrl as Millman stated)I click with the mouse and choose the line I want.

Try it several more times at various angles.

Yeah that's it, try it Yeah, yeah, that's the ticket.

 

Are you using X2 for wire all the time, or sometimes Esprit?

[gcode]

Make sure Power Keys are turned on

Click the "CREATE LINE ENDPOINT" icon

Hit "T"

Click on the arc

Click what ever you want for the other

end of the line

What bug???

What workaround??

[Thad]

If you click the arc without it snapping to something, doesn't that automatically create a line tangent? I can't say for sure, but I know I never hit the tangent button (is it on by default?), I never use the T power key, I never use Ctrl-click, and I've never had a problem creating a line tangent. I click Create Line Endpoints, click the arc, draw the line the approximate angle and length and click, then enter an angle value and length (rarely use the length), then OK. It works EVERY time.

 

Thad

[Guest]

Toolman,

 

Create Line, lock it down at 45°, the tangent button should be locked and then just click on your circle

[John Summers]

You could create a line polar thru the center, then offset it.

[Lee.]

I searched for this post and am still very confused.

 

I now need to create a line tangent to an arc and through a known point.

 

The angle is unknown.

 

I used to be able to do this in V9, but can't figure it out.

 

Surely we don't have to do what Roger is suggesting???

 

Please help.

[ToolMan184]

Lee just make sure you dont snap to anything. Just highlight the line and it will work. The best way I figured out was to enter your angle first, then highlight the circle.

[Lee.]

I have it worked out.

 

I can't define the angle, it had to be tangent to an arc and through a point.

 

Thanks anyways.