tangent snapping

[jakewells]

I can't find any tools in PowerSketch that would allow me to create the green line in the attached image based on the two black circles ... inferencing doesn't seem to work.

http://www.jakewells.com/tangents.jpg

I can't even figure out how to construct this manually using the arc tool (that's how inexperienced I am!). Must I just do the math, or is there a better way?

[PiXeL_MoNKeY]

The solid green line could be done with scripting or the linked Xform to the vertices of the line. The same could be done for the dotted green lines.

-Eric

[jakewells]

You're right ... just didn't know if there was something analagous to Rhino's "line tangent to two curves" or "line tangent from curve" tools pre-existing. Thx

[nPower_Dave]

I can't find any tools in PowerSketch that would allow me to create the green line in the attached image based on the two black circles ... inferencing doesn't seem to work.

http://www.jakewells.com/tangents.jpg

I can't even figure out how to construct this manually using the arc tool (that's how inexperienced I am!). Must I just do the math, or is there a better way?

Excellent question. Here's how to make curves tangent to circles (or other objects).

1) Create the line curve close to the cirlces (you don't even need to snap onto the circles if you don't want, but you can inference and snap to the circles) I assume that you've been able to get this far.

2) Go into editing mode with the line curve selected.

3) Go into vertex editing mode

4) Select one of the vertices.

5) If the curve is already snapped onto the circle curve, you can simply click on the "Tangent" radio button (under Vertex Snap Option in the "Edit Vertices" submenu), and it will snap onto the circle. If it isn't yet snapped onto the circle curve, first click on the "Onto Curve" option (under the Edit Vertices submenu). Then choose the "Tangent" radio option (under "Vertex Snap Constraint").

6) Select the other vertex and repeat step 5 above.

That will constrain your curve tangent to the 2 circles.

[jakewells]

PERFECT!!

Thanks, Dave ... exactly what I was looking for.