What is the best way to radius a corner where two lines meet?

[shiphen]

Hi

What is the best way to radius a corner?
i.e. I have two lines: one is horizontal, and in this case the other is at 45 degrees, and at the point where the join I want to create an exact radius. So that one line curves into the other, following an exact arc.

What is the easiest/best way to create this?

Many thanks

John

[Soquili]

John not sure I'm understanding what you need. As I understand it a radius is the distance from the center to the perimeter of a circle.

Will you be moving both or either line to match the arc for a given radius? If so you can create a circle with a diameter twice the desired radius then move your lines to intersect the perimeter. Convert the circle to editable shape then use the Shape Editor to add points at the intersection locations then break at those points.

If you do not want to move either or both lines and are attempting to create an arc to match their relative positons you will need to create a circle and use trial and error to position and resize the circle until your lines intersect the perimeter. You would then use the same steps to convert to editable shape and add points and break at points.

[handrawn]

surely an exact arc is only exact with reference to the centre point of the circle the arc is part of

what I am saying is, it is all going to depend at what point on the line you commence curvature - or does this not actually need to be defined?

[Soquili]

Steve is your question for me or John?

[shiphen]

Soquili

> Will you be moving both or either line to match the arc for a given radius?
No. Ideally not. And that is my point. I have two lines, and I want to be able to vary (by eye) how sharply they meet.

>... you will need to create a circle and use trial and error to position and resize the circle
Again no. I do NOT know what the size of the circle will be. Obviously I could use trial and error until I get it right but that takes a lot of time!

Put in another way:
Suppose I create a shape (using the quickshape tool) - say a triangle for sake of argument. Now if I click on the "curved corners" it will Xara (Designer Pro 7 in my case) will immediately put a curve (i.e. radius in engineer speak) onto the points of the triangle. And then I can quickly and easily click and drag the curves until I get something that works visually.

So my question is: If I create two lines (or one line that changes direction at a certain point) is there any easy way to put a variable curve into the corner where the two lines meet?

J

[rpc9943]

I know exactly what you're asking. I wish there were a way I could use a modifier or keystroke that could switch into "arc" mode or something. If there's a way to make this already with the tools we have, tell us!

RonC

[Soquili]

OK John that is a totally different question as I percieve it.

Draw your lines and join them at a point or create a single line that changes direction.

Use the Shape Editor to add a point one each segment near the point at which the direction changes. Delete the vertex point (where the direction changes.) Select the two points you previously added and on the infobar select Smooth Join and then click the Make Curve button. You can change the "radius" by moving either or both points and/or adjusting the spline handles for the point(s).

[mwenz]

Using XDP7,

Draw the lines at the desired angle. Draw the circle at twice the radius...

Mike



Delete the point where the 45 and 90 meet.



Move the cursor over the line, click and hold the left mouse button.



Move the line to a place on the circle that is about in the middle.



Let go of the mouse.



Not absolutely precise. Need more precision? I use TurboCad when absolute precision is needed.

[shiphen]

You can change the "radius" by moving either or both points and/or adjusting the spline handles for the point(s).

> Use the Shape Editor to add a point one each segment near the point at which the direction changes

Hmm... sorry but this seems very manual and random... And therefore not likey to create a true arc of a cirlce.

[Soquili]

John I'm giving you an option, not necessarily the only one, but if you want it to be automatic sorry there is not one available.

Xara Designer Pro is an illustration, photo editing, web designing application not a CAD or Engineering App.