Connecting two circles with tangents

Goal#

Two circles of different size — say two belt pulleys — are to be connected at the top and at the bottom by one outer tangent each.

Steps#

1. Draw the two circles with the circle tool.
2. In the Draw group open the triangle on the Line button and choose Tangent to 2 circles (6).
3. Click the first circle at the top (1), then the second circle at the top (2) — both clicks on the same side give the outer tangent.
4. The tool stays active: click the first circle at the bottom, then the second circle at the bottom — the second tangent.
5. Esc ends the tool.

Result#

Two lines touch both circles (Tangent to both drawn). If you click the second circle on the other side, a crossed tangent is created instead — the route for a crossed belt. The protruding parts of the circles can then be removed with Trim.