[bdillard]

Greetings,

I am a rank newbie at cad (downloaded the Partmaster product and video tutorials a couple of days ago). I have been attempting to create a very simple two-dimensional drawing so that I can send it to someone with a cnc router before Monday. and I am at wits end, and could use some pointers.

I want to draw two parallel arcs spaced .25” apart. I then want to enclose the arcs (at both ends) with a .25” radius. (The goal is to cut a groove through which a ¼” bolt will slide. There will be multiple grooves, identical in length, spaced evenly around a single point.)

Two problems which I have been unable to overcome (through two days of trial and error, and I’m getting sleepy):

1- I can draw the parallel arcs, but I cannot determine how to make the lengths of one pair of arcs match the next set.

2- I cannot enclose the end points of a pair of arcs with a .25” radius. I have tried in Partmaster to draw a two-tangent arc of .25” diameter from endpoint to endpoint, but the software tells me “no can do” without an explanation. I have tried all the snap modes, and everything else I can think of. At this point my brain is mush.

I hate to ask, but will someone here give me a pointer or two, or quick explanation of how to accomplish the goal? I promise not to hound you in future!

[bdillard]

Well, a bit more perseverance has paid off: I figured out that to join the endpoints of two parallel lines (or curves) with an an arc (semicircle) I must first draw a line between the endpoints, place a point on the midpoint of that line, and use the midpoint as the centerpoint for the joining arc.

One issue solved.

[Kevin Taylor]

Two lines .250 apart need .125R to conect with 180arc. some demos wont let you save copy past or print . Good luck

[bdillard]

Kevin, thanks for the reply. Got it.