Constructing a Tangent Circle

You can construct the following three types of tangent circles using the Construct Circle dialog box (Insert | Feature | Constructed | Circle):

• Tangent 2 Lines - This option constructs a circle tangent to two lines. The exact location is determined by the size of the circle and the direction of the lines. Type a Diameter value for the constructed after selecting the two input lines, and then click Create. If the constructed circle doesn't appear were expected, try changing the direction of one of the lines.

  Examples of a Circle Feature Constructed Tangent to 2 Lines

  Circle 7 Constructed Tangent to Lines 5 and 6
  Circle 7 Constructed Tangent to Lines 5 and 7
  Circle 7 Constructed Tangent to Lines 6 and 7
  Circle 7 Constructed Tangent to Lines 6 and 7. Note the difference from the above example: Line 6's direction has changed, thereby changing the location of the constructed circle.

• Tangent 3 Lines - This option constructs a circle tangent to the three input lines that form a triangle. Select the three input lines, and then click Create.

  Example of a Circle Feature Constructed Tangent to 3 Lines

  

• Tangent 3 Circles - This option constructs a circle tangent to the three input circles. Select the three input circles, and then click Create. The tangent circle can either contain all three circles (circumscribed circle) or none of the three (inscribed circle).

  

  Example of an inscribed circle tangent to three input circles

  

  Example of a circumscribed circle tangent to three input circles