Creates an arc.
Access Methods
Button
Toolbar: Drafting tool set 
Open Shapes tool group Arc flyout Menu:
Draw
Arc
Summary
To create an arc, you can specify combinations of center, endpoint, start point, radius, angle, chord length, and direction values.
List of Prompts
The following prompts are displayed.
Specify start pointof arc or [Center]: Specify a point, enter c, or press Enter to start tangent to last line, arc, or polyline
Start Point
Specifies the starting point of the arc.
Specify second point of arc or [Center/End]:
Second Point
Draws an arc using three specified points on the arc's circumference. The first point is the start point (1). The third point is the endpoint (3). The second point (2) is a point on the circumference of the arc.
Specify end point of arc: Specify a point (3)
You can specify a three-point arc either clockwise or counterclockwise.
Center
Specifies the center of the circle of which the arc is a part.
Specify center point of arc:
Specify end point of arc or [Angle/chord Length]:
- End Point
-
Using the center point (2), draws an arc counterclockwise from the start point (1) to an endpoint that falls on an imaginary ray drawn from the center point through the third point (3).
The arc does not necessarily pass through this third point, as shown in the illustration.
- Angle
-
Draws an arc counterclockwise from the start point (1) using a center point (2) with a specified included angle. If the angle is negative, a clockwise arc is drawn.
Specify included angle: Specify an angle
- Chord Length
-
Draws either a minor or a major arc based on the distance of a straight line between the start point and endpoint.
If the chord length is positive, the minor arc is drawn counterclockwise from the start point. If the chord length is negative, the major arc is drawn counterclockwise.
Specify length of chord: Specify a length
End
Specifies the endpoint of the arc.
Specify end point of arc:
Specify center point of arc or [Angle/Direction/Radius]:
- Center Point
-
Draws an arc counterclockwise from the start point (1) to an endpoint that falls on an imaginary ray drawn from the center point (3) through the second point specified (2).
- Angle
-
Draws an arc counterclockwise from the start point (1) to an endpoint (2), with a specified included angle. If the angle is negative, a clockwise arc is drawn.
Specify included angle: Enter an angle in degrees or specify an angle by moving the pointing device counterclockwise
- Direction
-
Begins the arc tangent to a specified direction. It creates any arc, major or minor, clockwise or counterclockwise, beginning with the start point (1), and ending at an endpoint (2). The direction is determined from the start point.
Specify tangent direction for the start point of arc:
- Radius
-
Draws the minor arc counterclockwise from the start point (1) to the endpoint (2). If the radius is negative, the major arc is drawn.
Specify radius of arc:
Center
Specifies the center of the circle of which the arc is a part.
Specify center point of arc:
Specify start point of arc:
Specify end point of arc or [Angle/chord Length]:
- End Point
-
Draws an arc counterclockwise from the start point (2) to an endpoint that falls on an imaginary ray drawn from the center point (1) through a specified point (3).
- Angle
-
Draws an arc counterclockwise from the start point (2) using a center point (1) with a specified included angle. If the angle is negative, a clockwise arc is drawn.
Specify included angle:
- Chord Length
-
Draws either a minor or a major arc based on the distance of a straight line between the start point and endpoint.
If the chord length is positive, the minor arc is drawn counterclockwise from the start point. If the chord length is negative, the major arc is drawn counterclockwise.
Specify length of chord:
Tangent to Last Line, Arc, or Polyline
Draws an arc tangent to the last line, arc, or polyline drawn when you press ENTER at the first prompt.
Specify end point of arc: Specify a point (1)