Why can't Illustrator draw arcs and circles?

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
March 12, 2020
4 replies
2667 views

Back in 2008--12 years ago--I asked why Illustrator cannot do something as basic in illustration as draw arcs and circles. I had a lot of support from other posters back then, including several new users who were incredulous that this tool was not available. It is so basic they didn't even bother to see if it existed. I realize that Adobe killed the competition in the graphics business, but doesn't the company have at least a small amount of pride in their product? I use my CAD program for this and similar things that are missing in Illustrator, but it would be nice if this one basic tool could be included in the next rollout. Let us draw circles and arcs! Please. And don't point me toward CAD tools. That is NOT what I'm talking about.

MHB

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer Monika Gause

Please report bugs and feature requests to http://illustrator.uservoice.com

Jacob Bugge

Community Expert

Michael,

Actually I remembered that thread from the days of the fair forums, and was very pleased to find that it is still with us; but I will neither join nor bet against dissidently.

https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator/circle-and-arc-tool/td-p/1241488?page=1

You may like this script by one of our Japanese friends,

https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator/drawing-a-circle-segment-by-script/td-p/10868390?page=1

And maybe other scripter friends may wish to join in.

Ton Frederiks

Community Expert

Jacob, seeing that thread go down the rabbit hole makes me refrain from any further comments on this topic (I never liked arcs anyway 🙂

Ton Frederiks

Community Expert

Can you explain what is missing in the current Arc and Ellipse tools?

M

mike.theinsidetrackincAuthor

Known Participant

For me, a

shape in either a graphics or CAD program is defined by how it is created and manipulated. A circle is created and manipulated by its radius and diameter. An arc is created and controlled by its start point, end point, radius and arc length. Additionally, an arc or circle can be drawn using a diameter pulled across two points, by three co-planer points, or by a radius from one point. As far as I know (and I'd love to be wrong and be told where this tool is!) Illustrator allows none of these controls. It appears that a circle is simply four "arcs" that are just Bezier curves. And an arc is just a garden variety Bezier curve. Other graphics programs I've used: Freehand, Corel Draw, and Canvas all could draw circles and arcs. AI is alone in not having this basic ability--unless I'm missing something basic. I hope I am.

MHB