Can I create an elliptical arc in BricsCAD?

ByCADbrief Staff

Short Answer

Yes — you can create an elliptical arc in BricsCAD using the standard ELLIPSE command, then choosing the Arc option. This is the most common professional method because it gives precise control over the major axis, minor axis, and arc angles. Limitation: elliptical arcs are not the same as circular arcs, so some downstream tools may treat them differently.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: Elliptical arcs often fail in fabrication or CAM workflows if the receiving software expects true circles or polylines only. A common issue is importing/exporting to older DWG/DXF-based systems that convert the ellipse poorly or explode it into approximate segments.

How to Create an Elliptical Arc

  • Command: ELLIPSE

  • Shortcut: EL

  • Quick Steps:

    1. On the Ribbon, go to Draw panel and start Ellipse, or type ELLIPSE.
    2. Specify the first and second endpoints of the ellipse axis, then choose the Arc option at the command line.
    3. Enter the other axis distance, then define the Start angle and End angle to create the elliptical arc.

Variables & Settings

  • Key Setting: Arc option in the ELLIPSE command

  • Expert Setting: If you do not select the Arc option during the ELLIPSE command, BricsCAD creates a full ellipse instead of an elliptical arc. For precise results, use object snaps when defining axis endpoints and angle direction.

Why it Fails

  • Cause 1 (Geometry): The axis points or other-axis distance are defined incorrectly, so the result is a full ellipse or a distorted arc with the wrong orientation.

  • Cause 2 (layers/Locks): The current layer is locked or the target layer cannot accept new geometry, so the elliptical arc will not be created.

  • Cause 3 (Command/Logic): Users finish the ELLIPSE command without choosing the Arc option, or expect ARC to create an elliptical arc, which it cannot.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

  • Quick Fix: Restart ELLIPSE, choose Arc at the correct prompt, and use OSNAP to lock axis points accurately.
  • Manager’s Verdict: Use elliptical arcs when the design truly requires non-circular curvature, but avoid them in CNC, detailing, or exchange-heavy workflows unless you confirm the target software supports true ellipses.

FAQ

Can I convert a full ellipse into an elliptical arc in BricsCAD?
Not directly; the usual method is to recreate it with ELLIPSE using the Arc option.

Can the ARC command make an elliptical arc?
No, ARC creates only circular arcs.

Will an elliptical arc export correctly to all CAD software?
No, some software converts it to splines or segmented geometry during export/import.

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