Ellipses

Purpose#

An ellipse has two axes: the longer major axis and the shorter minor axis. Depending on what the construction gives you, a different route is faster — hence three tools. The result is always a single element; it can be moved, rotated and scaled like a circle.

Access#

• Ribbon: group Draw, triangle on the Circle button — entries Ellipse (5), Ellipse from centre (6) and Ellipse in rectangle (7).
• Classic toolbar: drop-down triangle of the circle family (3).
• Command search : Ellipse.

Ellipse (axis, end)#

Ellipse The major axis is fixed by its two endpoints — the route when length and inclination of the axis are known:

1. Click the first axis point (1).
2. Click the second axis point (2) — Second axis point…. The segment determines length and inclination of the major axis.
3. Set the half minor axis (3) — Half minor axis / point…: click beside the axis or type the value.

An axis that is too short is refused with Axis too short, a minor axis that is too small with Minor axis too small.

Ellipse from centre#

Ellipse from centre Here you start at the centre — the route when the ellipse is to sit around a known point:

1. Click the centre (1).
2. Click the endpoint of the first semi-axis (2) — Axis endpoint (1st semi-axis)….
3. Set the second semi-axis (3) — Second semi-axis / point….

The messages Semi-axis too short and Second semi-axis too small point to values that are too small.

Ellipse in rectangle#

Ellipse in rectangle Draws the ellipse inscribed in a bounding rectangle — it touches all four sides at their midpoints. Two clicks are enough:

1. Click the first corner of the bounding rectangle (1).
2. Click the opposite corner (2).

The bounding rectangle itself is not drawn, it only serves as input. The axes of the ellipse therefore always lie horizontally and vertically.

Options#

• All three tools draw on the active layer; pick up attribute (J) applies beforehand.
• Object snap applies to all points; ORTHO keeps the axis horizontal or vertical.
• Every ellipse is a separate step for Undo.

Related commands#

• Circle · Circle constructions
• Arcs
• Offset — parallel to the ellipse as a polyline, spline or approximating ellipse