CIRCLE Command in AutoCAD

CIRCLE command in AutoCAD has a functions to draw a circle object. This command is include in the DRAW command group.

We can activate the CIRCLE command from the Ribbon Panel by clicking the CIRCLE command icon in the DRAW panel under the Home tab.

We can also activate the CIRCLE command by clicking the DRAW menu in the Menu Bar, then selecting the CIRCLE command.

If you want to activate the CIRCLE command from the command line, simply type the letter C and then Enter.

Command	CIRCLE
Function	draw a circle object
Icon
Shortcut	C

A. Method Options

There are six methods to draw circles in AutoCAD. You can choose one according to your needs or based on the values you already know. These methods are:

• Center-Radius
• Center-Diameter
• 2P (2 Points)
• 3P (3 Points)
• Tan Tan Tan
• Tan Tan Radius

If you activate the command from the Ribbon Panel or the Menu Bar, you can directly select the desired method. To do this, click drop-down menu below the Circle command icon. A list of circle creation methods will appear, as shown in the image below:

But, if you activate the command from the command line, you have to select the method options from the command line.

Click here if you don’t know how to select options from the command line.

This is an explanation of the function of each method:

» Center-Radius

This is a method for draw a circle by specifying a center point and radius value for circle. This is the default method for creating a circle.

To draw a circle using this method, follow the steps below:

1. Activate a CIRCLE command
2. Specify center point for circle
3. Type radius value for Circle in command line
4. Press the Enter key on keyboard

» Center-Diameter

This is a method to draw a circle by specifying a center point and diameter value for circle.

To draw a circle using this method, follow the steps below:

1. Activate the CIRCLE command (center-diameter Method)
2. Specify center point for circle
3. Type diameter value for circle in command line
4. Press the Enter key on keyboard

Note: If you activate the circle command from command line, you have to select “Diameter” option from command line after specify the center point.

» 2-Point (2P)

This is a method to draw a circle by specifying two points. These two points will be the starting and ending points of the circle’s diameter line.

To draw a circle using this method, follow the steps below:

1. Activate the CIRCLE command (select 2-Point method)
2. Specify first end point of circle’s diameter
3. Specify second endpoint of circle’s diameter

Note: if you activate the circle command from command line, you have to select 2P option from command line just after activate the command.

» 3-Point (3P)

This is a method to draw a circle by specifying three points on circle. The three points will be connected to each other to form the perimeter line of the circle.

To draw a circle using this method, follow the steps below:

1. Activate the CIRCLE command (select 3-Point method)
2. Specify first point on circle
3. Specify second point on circle
4. And last, specify third point on circle

Note: if you activate the circle command from command line, you have to select 3P option from command line just after activate the command.

» Tan, Tan, Radius (Ttr)

This is a method to draw a circle that is tangent to two other objects and also specify radius value for circle.

To draw a circle using this method, follow the steps below:

1. Activate the CIRCLE command (select Tan-Tan-Radius method)
2. Specify point on object for first tangent of circle
3. Specify point on object for second tangent of circle
4. Type radius value for circle in command line
5. Press the Enter key on keyboard

Note: if you activate the circle command from command line, you have to select Ttr option from command line just after activate the command.

» Tan, Tan, Tan

This is a method for drawing a circle that is tangent to three other objects.

To draw a circle using this method, follow the steps below:

1. Activate the CIRCLE command (select Tan-Tan-Tan method)
2. Specify point on object for first tangent of circle
3. Specify point on object for second tangent of circle
4. Last, specify point on object for third tangent of circle

Note: this method isn’t available in the command line options. So, if you need it, activate the CIRCLE command from the Menu Bar or Ribbon Panel, then select the Tan-Tan-Tan method.

Note: The points needed to draw a circle can be specified using various methods. Click here to learn about methods for specifying point locations in AutoCAD.