ArcGIS Desktop

  • ArcGIS Pro
  • ArcMap

  • My Profile
  • Help
  • Sign Out
ArcGIS Desktop

ArcGIS Online

The mapping platform for your organization

ArcGIS Desktop

A complete professional GIS

ArcGIS Enterprise

GIS in your enterprise

ArcGIS Developers

Tools to build location-aware apps

ArcGIS Solutions

Free template maps and apps for your industry

ArcGIS Marketplace

Get apps and data for your organization

  • Documentation
  • Support
Esri
  • Sign In
user
  • My Profile
  • Sign Out

ArcMap

  • Home
  • Get Started
  • Map
  • Analyze
  • Manage Data
  • Tools
  • Extensions

Creating a curve through start, middle, and end points (Arc)

Arc Arc Segment helps you create a segment that is a parametric (true) curve. Instead of being made of numerous vertices, a parametric curve has only two vertices as endpoints. You might use Arc to digitize a cul-de-sac, using an aerial photo image as a backdrop.

Arc creates a curve through the starting, middle, and ending points you specify. Click to place the start point, click again to place the midpoint of the curve, then click a third time to place the endpoint of the arc segment.

  1. These steps can be used to create vertices in either lines or polygons:

    To create a vertex in a line

    Click a line feature template in the Create Features window and click the Line tool Line.

    To create a vertex in a polygon

    Click a polygon feature template in the Create Features window and click the Polygon tool Polygon.

  2. Click Arc Arc Segment on the Editor toolbar.
  3. Click once to establish the start point of the arc.

    A vertex is created.

  4. Click once to establish the axis of the arc. This is the invisible point through which the curve passes.

    After you have clicked the second point to set the axis, you can press R to set the radius value. Press TAB to cycle through the possible curve solutions.

  5. Click once to establish the endpoint of the arc.

    A segment that is a true (parametric) curve is created.

Related topics

  • Creating a curve through endpoints (Endpoint Arc)
  • Creating a Bézier curve
  • Editing curved segments
  • Editing Bézier curves

ArcGIS Desktop

  • Home
  • Documentation
  • Support

ArcGIS

  • ArcGIS Online
  • ArcGIS Desktop
  • ArcGIS Enterprise
  • ArcGIS
  • ArcGIS Developer
  • ArcGIS Solutions
  • ArcGIS Marketplace

About Esri

  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Esri Blog
  • User Conference
  • Developer Summit
Esri
Tell us what you think.
Copyright © 2021 Esri. | Privacy | Legal