Constrain Tangent (2D Only)

The Constrain Tangent option uses the SmartCursor to locate tangents on circles, ovals, and arcs.

 

Object Drawn	Tangent Found On
Line	A tangent can be found on circles, ovals, and arcs, and also between two circles, arcs, or ovals
Circle	A tangent can be found on another circle, oval, or arc, and also between two circles or arcs
Oval	A tangent cannot be located on an oval created using the Oval tool in Oval by Box mode
Arc	A tangent can be found on a circle, oval, or another arc, and also between two circles or arcs

Tangents cannot be found on quarter arcs.

 

To find the tangent:

1.	Select the Line, Oval, or Arc tool from the Basic palette.

2.	Click Constrain Tangent from the Constraints palette.

3.	Move the cursor to the object. Click to begin drawing. As the cursor is moved, the image preview rotates tangentially around the object.

4.	Click to set the tangent.

When finding the tangent between two circles, arcs, or circular arcs: after clicking on the first object, move the cursor to the second object. Move the cursor along the second object until the cue “tangent/tangent” displays. Click to set the second tangent.

Hold down the Option (Macintosh) or Alt (Windows) key to switch the tangent to the opposite side of the object.