Create a circle feature

The Circle tool creates planar circular features using the pointer or entered values. This tool is available in the Create Features pane with line and polygon feature templates.

When you use this tool, consider the following:

• Vertices for 3D z-aware features are assigned z-values based on your current elevation settings.
• The feature is automatically finished when its center location and radius are fully defined.
• The Three Point Circle tool is available on the construction toolbar.

Note:

If the active map is set to a geographic coordinate system, your specified distances and directions are measured using the North Azimuth (0 degrees) system and may produce unexpected alignment or accuracy errors.

To avoid these types of errors, the best practice is to assign the active map a projected coordinate system that matches the coordinate system of the layer or layers you are editing.

To create features that account for the earth's ellipsoid surface, use the Construct Geodetic tool or consider using the Two-Point line tool with code-value domains to specify direction types in an attribute field named Azimuth Type.

Draw or enter a radius

By default, the Circle tool creates a circle with two pointer clicks. After the first click, you can right-click the map and enter a radius value.

To draw a circle, complete the following steps:

1. Add your data and configure settings for editing.

   Confirm the feature layer you are editing is editable, the coordinate system assigned to the active map is suitable for the type of edits you're performing, and snapping is configured to help you work efficiently and accurately.

2. On the ribbon, click the Edit tab. In the Features group, click Create .
3. In the Create Features pane, click a polyline or polygon feature template.
4. Click the Circle tool .

   To override default attribute values or change optional tool settings, click the Active Template button and click the following tabs:

   Attributes	Enter values in the attribute fields to override the source default values.
   Circle	Check Modify existing polygons to prevent overlapping to automatically clip existing polygons on the same layer if they overlap your new feature.

5. Click the map to create the center point.

   To enter a coordinate location, right-click the map and click Absolute X,Y,Z .

6. Move the pointer and click the map to specify a radius.

   To enter a radius value, right-click the map and click Radius .

Click three points along a circumference

The Three Point Circle tool creates a circle with three pointer clicks in the map that define locations through which its circumference passes. It is available on the construction tool bar when the Circle tool is active.

To draw a three point circle, complete the following steps:

1. Add your data and configure settings for editing.

   Confirm the feature layer you are editing is editable, the coordinate system assigned to the active map is suitable for the type of edits you're performing, and snapping is configured to help you work efficiently and accurately.

2. On the ribbon, click the Edit tab. In the Features group, click Create .
3. In the Create Features pane, click a polyline or polygon feature template.
4. Click the Circle tool .

   To override default attribute values or change optional tool settings, click the Active Template button and click the following tabs:

   Attributes	Enter values in the attribute fields to override the source default values.
   Circle	Check Modify existing polygons to prevent overlapping to automatically clip existing polygons on the same layer if they overlap your new feature.

5. On the construction toolbar, click the Three Point Circle tool .
6. Click three points in the map through which the circumference passes.

   To enter values for direction or distance, right-click the map and click the corresponding command.

Keyboard shortcuts

The keyboard shortcuts described in the following table provide an alternative way to execute commands for this tool.

Keyboard shortcuts for the Circle construction tool

Keyboard shortcut	Action	Comment
F6	Specify absolute X,Y,Z .	Open the Absolute X,Y,Z dialog box.
R	Specify a radius.	Open the Radius dialog box.