Can I create a donut shape with a specific inner diameter in BricsCAD?

ByCADbrief Staff

Short Answer

Yes — in BricsCAD, you can create a donut shape with a specific inner diameter by using the DONUT command and entering the exact inside and outside diameters. This is the fastest and most common professional method for making filled ring-shaped 2D objects. Limitation: DONUT creates 2D geometry only, not a true 3d solid.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: If the donut’s outside diameter is set equal to or smaller than the inner diameter, the result will be invalid or not created as expected. Also, donuts may display oddly if width or fill display settings are affecting polylines in your current visual setup.

How to Create a Donut Shape With a Specific Inner Diameter

  • Command: DONUT

  • Shortcut: DO

  • Quick Steps:

    1. On the command line, type DONUT (or use Draw tools if available in the Ribbon/interface).
    2. Enter the inside diameter you need, then enter the outside diameter.
    3. Click in the drawing area to place the donut, or enter multiple center points to place more copies with the same diameters.

Variables & Settings

  • Key Setting: Fill display

  • Expert Setting: If solid-filled donuts do not display correctly, check whether fill display is turned on. Use FILLMODE and then REGEN to refresh the view so the donut appears properly filled on screen.

Why it Fails

  • Cause 1 (Geometry): The outside diameter is smaller than or equal to the inner diameter, so the donut cannot be formed correctly.
  • Cause 2 (layers/Locks): The current layer is locked or has properties that prevent visible creation, such as a non-printing or frozen layer state.
  • Cause 3 (Command/Logic): Users sometimes enter radius values instead of diameters in DONUT, which produces the wrong size.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

  • Quick Fix: Run DONUT again, enter the exact inner diameter first, then a larger outside diameter, and if the fill is not visible, set FILLMODE to 1 and run REGEN.
  • Manager’s Verdict: Use DONUT for fast 2D symbols, schematics, and plan graphics. Avoid it when the ring must become a precise editable solid for 3d modeling or downstream manufacturing workflows.

FAQ

Can I edit a donut after creating it?
Yes, but it behaves as a polyline, so editing is more limited than a true circle-based construction.

Can I make several donuts with the same diameters quickly?
Yes, after setting the diameters in DONUT, keep clicking to place multiple donuts.

Can I convert a donut into 3D geometry?
Not directly as a true solid; usually you would recreate it with circles/regions and then use 3D commands.

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