Bisect a Circle

[dkgodfrey]

How do I bisect a circle with a line so that the top and bottom sections of the circle are the same size?

[The Alien]

Draw a circle. Draw a straight line with the Shape editor tool (hold CTRL key to keep it straight). Select circle and line and hit CTRL+Shift+L (or go to Arrange > Alignment). Select align centrally from either the top or bottom menus (depends whether your line was vertical or horizontal) and click Apply. Now go to Arrange > combine shapes > Slice.
Use the shape editor to edit the nodes or "break open" the resulting shapes so you actually get the arcs without the straight line in between them.

BTW, your line should be on top of the circle for this to work, not under it

[cursor]

Here is a short video tutorial.

[cursor]

Here's another short video tutorial that illustrates how to get an arc of some precise central angle (not just a semicircle)

[BobMoyer]

Thanks, cursor! Even though I didn't ask the question, your answers were simple and to the point...I believe even I could do that now.

Thanks again,
Bob

[steve.ledger]

Here is a short video tutorial.

Good clear voice their Curtis, unlike my mumbling

Couple things to speed up the task. You do not need to draw a line 'outside' of the circle to slice it into two halves.



Also, as mentioned by The Alien, the quicker way to split the ellipse into two unjoined arcs is to 'break' at the points.

[cursor]

Thanks.
I learn new stuff every day, Steve.
Problem is ... I sometimes forget it the day after!

I'll redo those two video tutorials (at some point), incorporating the more efficient techniques.

[TXchuck2u]

Thanks to all on showing these techniques in XARA and lending your experience. This is applicable in ALL versions right?

chuck

[cursor]

Yes (as far as I am aware). The techniques also work for Web Designer.

[steve.ledger]

Actually Web Designer does not have the option to 'convert to editable shape' from an ellipse etc. Neither can it 'convert a line to a shape.'