How to Measure Arc Length in AutoCAD

Last update: 04/10/2024
How to Measure Arc Length in AutoCAD

Would you like to learn how to measure the arc length in AutoCAD?, AutoCAD is one of the best programs for design, with this software you can create multiple types of parts, design plans and do thousands of technical works.

But what if you are asked to specifically measure an arch for a special project? Well, below are some methods that will not only help you measure the length of an arch, but will also help you measure any piece.

X methods to measure the length of an arc in AutoCAD

As we said at the beginning, AutoCAD works as a very versatile design software and the ways, systems and steps with which you can make measurements are very varied. Here are the simplest methods to measure the length of an arc in AutoCAD:

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Method 1: Measure the length of an arc in AutoCAD (Get to know polylines)

The first step to measure the length of an arc in AutoCAD is to learn about polylines. Just keep reading:

To measure the distance, radius, angle, area and volume of selected objects or sequences of points there is the command MEASURE THROUGH.

The command MEASURE THROUGH performs numerous calculations also obtained using the following commands:

  • AREA.
  • DIST
  • PROPMECA

The information is displayed on the command line as well as in dynamic tooltips on the current drive format. The following prompts appear.

  • Distance: Measures the distance between two given points, as well as the distances of the components XY y Z, and the angle to the UCS.
    • Several points:
      • Shows the total distance between successive points.
      • If you enter the Arc, Length or Undo options, other options similar to those used to create a polyline are displayed.
    • Lightning: Measures the radius and diameter of a given arc, circle, or polyline arc.
    • Angle: Measures the angle associated with the selected arc, circle, polyline segments, and line objects.
      • Lean: Measure the angle formed between the two ends of an arc using the center of the arc as the vertex.
      • Circle: Measure the acute angle formed between where the circle was originally selected and a second point, using the center of the circle as the vertex.
      • Line: Measures the acute angle between two selected lines. The lines do not have to cross.
      • Mountain peak: Measures the acute angle formed by specifying a point representing a vertex and two other points.

Area

Measures the area and perimeter of an object or a defined area.

  • Specify the corner: Calculates the area and perimeter defined by the point you specify.
How to Measure Arc Length in AutoCAD
Figure 1

NOTE: : If you enter the options Arc, Length or Undo, other options similar to those used to create a polyline are displayed.

  • Add an area: Activates Aggregate mode and maintains the accumulation of the areas you define.
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Figure 2
Figure 2
  • Subtract an area: Subtract a given area from the total area.
Figure 3
Figure 3

Volume

Measures the volume of an object or a defined area.

  • Object: Measures the volume of an object or a defined area. You can select 2D objects or 3D solids. If you select a 2D object, you must indicate its height.
    • If you define an object using points, you must specify at least three points to define a polygon. All of these points must lie in a plane parallel to the plane XY from the UCS. If you do not close the polygon, the area is calculated as if there were a line between the first point and the last point entered.
    • If you enter the Arc, Length or Undo options, other options similar to those used to create a polyline are displayed.
  • Add volume: Activate the mode Add and maintain cumulative volumes as you define areas.
  • Subtract a volume: Activate subtraction mode and exclude a specific volume from the total volume.

Polyline options

You can set options similar to those used to create polylines when using the options Distance, Area and Volume.

  • Lean: Add arc segments to the total length.
  • Specify the end of the arc: Complete the arc segment, which is tangent to the previous segment.
  • Angle: Specifies the described angle of the arc segment from the start point. If you enter a positive number, AutoCAD creates arc segments counterclockwise. If you enter a negative number, arc segments are created clockwise.
    • Specify the end of the arc
  • Lightning: Specifies the radius of the arc segment.
  • Center: Specifies the center of the arc segment.
    • Specify the end of the arc
    • Angle
  • Long: Specifies the chord length of the arc segment. If the previous segment is an arc, the program draws the new arc segment tangent to the previous segment.
  • Close: Draws an arc segment from the last specified point to the start point, creating a closed polyline. At least two points must be specified with this option.
  • Directors: Specifies the start direction of the arc segment.
    • Specify the end of the arc
  • Lightning: Specifies the radius of the arc segment.
    • Specify the end of the arc
    • Angle
  • Second point: Specifies the second point and the end of an arc defined by three points.
    • Specify the end of the arc
  • Long: Draws a line segment of the specified length, at the same angle as the previous segment. If the previous segment is an arc, the program draws the new line segment tangent to this arc segment.
  • annular: Cancels the last arc segment added to the polyline.
  • Close: Draws an arc segment from the last specified point to the start point, creating a closed polyline. At least two points must be specified with this option.
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Method 2: Measure the length of an arc in AutoCAD by checking the distance between two points.

  • Step 1:: In the file you are going to measure, you must activate the command Zoom, then go to the option All, and Zoom en Window option, to enlarge the drawing CHECKS.
Figure 4
Figure 4
  • Step 2:: Select the Object Snap located in the status bar at the bottom of the screen.
  • Step 3:: Activate the command Distance.
  • Step 4:: Click on one end of the rectangle.
Figure 5
Figure 5
  • Step 5:: Click Final point in the opposite corner of the rectangle.
Distance = 77 1/4, XY Plane Angle = 158.75, XY Next Angle = 0.00 Delta X = -72, Delta Y = 28, Delta Z = 0
Distance = 77 1/4, XY Plane Angle = 158.75, XY Next Angle = 0.00
Delta X = -72, Delta Y = 28, Delta Z = 0
  • Step 6:: Check the X and Y dimensions. They should be 72″ and 28″.

Using the Distance command [Distance/Rayon/Angle/AIre/Volume/Quitter]

  • Step 7:: Press ENTER to access the command Distance
  • Step 8:: Click in the middle of the chair segment.
Figure 7
Figure 7
  • Step 9:: Click on the middle segment of the keyboard.
Distance = 16, XY Plane Angle = 60, XY Right Angle = 0.00 Delta X = 8, Delta Y = 13 7/8, Delta Z = 0 Command: [Distance/Rayon/Angle/Air/Volume/Quitter]
Distance = 16, XY Plane Angle = 60, XY Right Angle = 0.00 Delta X = 8, Delta Y = 13 7/8, Delta Z = 0
Command: [Distance/Rayon/Angle/Air/Volume/Quitter]
  • Step 10:: The first line of the control box shows the straight-line distance and angle between the two points. Check whether it is 16″ (1′-4″) and 60 degrees (300 degrees).
Figure 9
Figure 9
  • Step 11:: Press ENTER to get a new distance or the key Escape to exit the command.

Method 3: Measure the length of an arc in AutoCAD with the default shapes.

To measure the length of an arc in AutoCAD you can use this method using a sketch of Inventor. Just use the tool Measure loop p.

  • Step 1:: go to the Inspect tab > Measurement panel > Loop
Inspect tab > Measurement panel > Loop
Inspect tab > Measurement panel > Loop

NOTE: : This will not allow you to use arc length in parameters and formulas.

Parametric arc length

Unfortunately, this option does not have a dimension parameter type. 'Arc length' in the sketches. But it is quite easy to take the length of an Arc using a Formula.

To obtain the length of an arc

To get the length of an arc in AutoCAD using equations, you will need the following:

  • A model parameter for the included angle of the arc: angle
  • A model parameter for the arc radius – Radio
  • A user parameter for the arc length – Arc length
  • A user parameter to convert degrees to radians – radians

The formula is:

Radius * (Radians / 1 rad)

Radius * (Radians / 1 rad)
Radius * (Radians / 1 rad)

To drive the length of an arc

To drive the length of an arc, you will need:

  • A model parameter for the included angle of the arc: angle
  • A model parameter for the arc radius – Radio
  • A user parameter for the length of the arc: length of the arc
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The formula is:

ArcLength * 180 deg / (Angle * PI)

ArcLength * 180 deg / (Angle * PI)
ArcLength * 180 deg / (Angle * PI)

Visual feedback

If you want visual feedback on the arc length, you can add some sketch text and get the value you are looking for.

ArcLength * 180 deg / (Angle * PI)

Annotate the length of an arc in an Inventor drawing

You can add a dimension annotation in an AutoCAD drawing to measure the length of an arc in AutoCAD using the Dimension tool. 'Overall dimension'.

  • Step 1:: the first step you have to do is go to Annotate Tab > Dimension Panel > Dimension Tool
  • Step 2:: Inventor will automatically select the radius of the arc. Just right click to get the option 'Length'.
'Length' option
'Length' option
  • Step 3:: The final result will look like this:
Final result
Final result

Method 4: Measure the length of an arc in AutoCAD with specific lengths

The last simple method to measure the length of an arc in AutoCAD is to use the function to build / draw an arc of a specific length. Here we will show you several possible options. The problem with the arc is that you can draw arcs in more than nine ways, but none of them specify an arc length.

build / draw
Build / Draw
  • Option 1: You can define the length of the string with Start, Center, Length, but in this case you want to define the length of the arc and not the chords. Of course, it could be done by calculating the angle mathematically, but an easier way to do it is to draw the arc with the required radius and center point, then modify it using the Angle tool. to enlarge tab Modify dropdown.
Modify drop-down tab
Modify drop-down tab
  • Option 2: With the tool To enlarge You can set the total length of the object, including the length of the Arc:
Stretch Tool
Stretch Tool
  • Command: LENGTHEN
    • Step 1:: Select an object or type the following: [DElta / Percent / Total / DYnamic]:
      • T (DO NOT select the object enter T for Total)
      • Specifies the total length or [Angle] <1.0)>: 20 [enter]
      • Step 2:: Select an object to change or [Undo]: Now select the arc to lengthen
Figure 19
Figure 19

NOTE: : The bow will now be the desired length. If it is not in the correct location, simply rotate it around its center point.

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As you can see, measuring the length of an arc in AutoCAD has its degree of difficulty, depending on the method you use. But, if you follow the 4 options we have just presented to you, you will be able to do it like a pro. We hope we have helped you.

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