Create circles

You can create circles interactively, from known center point and size, or based on a center point and travel rate and time.

Create circles interactively

To create circles interactively by clicking the map, complete the following steps:

  1. On the ribbon, click the Map tab.
  2. In the Inquiry group, click Distance and Direction Distance and Direction.
  3. In the Distance and Direction pane, click the Circle tab.
  4. Click Map Point Tool Map Point Tool.
  5. Click a location on the map to designate the center point of the circle.
  6. Optionally, choose a unit of measurement from the drop-down menu.
  7. Click a location on the map to designate the outer edge of the circle.

    A circle is created and added to the map.

Create circles from known coordinates

To create circles using known coordinates and a known radius or diameter, complete the following steps:

  1. In the Distance and Direction pane, click the Circle tab.
  2. Enter a coordinate in the Center Point text box.
  3. Enter a distance in the Radius/Diameter text box.
  4. Press Enter or click Create Circle.

    A circle is created and added to the map.

Create circles using a time and speed

To create circles to identify potential locations for moving objects using a center point, time, and speed, complete the following steps:

  1. In the Distance and Direction pane, click the Circle tab.
  2. Enter a coordinate in the Center Point text box or click Map Point Tool Map Point Tool and click a location on the map.
  3. Expand Distance Calculator.
  4. Enter a rate of time in the Time text box.
  5. Enter a rate of travel in the Rate text box.
  6. Press Enter or click Create Circle.

    A circle is created and added to the map.

Change tool units

You can change the units the tool uses to display and label outputs.

  • Use the Radius/Diameter drop-down list to change the unit of measure.
  • Use the Time drop-down list to change the unit of time.
  • Use the Rate drop-down list to change the unit of measure.

Measure circles

The From drop-down list provides the following circle measuring options:

OptionDescription

Radius

The circle is measured and labeled with a radius value.

Diameter

The circle is measured and labeled with a diameter value.