How to Draw an Ellipse in AutoCAD

Draw an ellipse in AutoCAD by running the "Ellipse" command, then indicating the ellipse's degree, position and size through mouse movements or keystrokes. Using the keyboard lets you enter precise values for the ellipse, while the mouse-based approach lets you evaluate the shape visually as you define it. To edit an existing ellipse, click its outline, then drag one of the square nodes on the ellipse to change its shape. To expand the ellipse into a 3D form, run the "Extrude" command, then drag on the ellipse to raise it into three dimensions.

Instructions

Using the Mouse

1. Click the "Draw" menu to display a list of commands for creating objects you can place on the canvas. Click the "Ellipse" submenu, then click the "Center" command, which tells AutoCAD you want to define an ellipse starting with its center.

2. Click on the canvas to indicate the ellipse's center, then drag directly up, down, left or right to specify the radius for one of the ellipse's axes.

3. Click the mouse to finalize the radius. AutoCAD draws an ellipse whose center is the first point you clicked. The ellipse passes through the radius point you just specified.

4. Drag the mouse to define the other axis for the ellipse. AutoCAD automatically updates the ellipse's outline as you drag.

5. Complete the ellipse by clicking the mouse when the ellipse has the shape you want.

Using the Keyboard

1. Type "_ellipse" to tell AutoCAD you want to draw an ellipse.

2. Type the "X" coordinate of the ellipse, which specifies the horizontal position of an endpoint of one of the ellipse's axes.

3. Press "Tab" to enter the text box for the "Y" coordinate, which specifies the vertical position of the axis endpoint, then type the "Y" coordinate. Press "Enter" to finalize the endpoint's coordinates.

4. Type the radius of the other axis, then press "Tab" to enter the text box for the ellipse's degree, which specifies how round the ellipse is.

5. Type the degree of the ellipse, then press "Enter." Type the distance to the other axis, then press "Enter" to complete the ellipse.

References

• "AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD 2012 LT Bible"; Ellen Finkelstein; 2011