# Create an arc object

Use the arc tool to draw arcs. The arc shape is a segment of an ellipse's perimeter. To create an arc, you first draw an ellipse or circle, and then edit it to form an arc.

## To create an arc object

1. In the Graphics Display editor, from the Objects menu, select Drawing > Arc.
2. Press the mouse button and drag the mouse diagonally to draw an ellipse the size you want.

   When you release the mouse button, a set of handles appears so you can reshape the ellipse.

   Tip: | Press Ctrl as you drag the mouse to base the arc on a circle.

3. Grab a handle and drag the mouse to change the size of the arc.

   To grab a handle, point the mouse cursor at it and when the arrow changes to a cross-hair cursor, click the left mouse button.

4. Double-click the arc to open its Properties dialog box.
5. In the Properties dialog box, specify how you want the arc to look.
6. Click OK.

   Tip: | If you apply rotation animation to an arc object, when the display is run on a PanelView Plus family terminal, the arc may change to an ellipse at one point in the rotation, but does not affect the arc's function. Because of a limitation in the Windows CE operating system, arcs that look fine on the desktop may appear ragged when shown on a PanelView Plus family terminal. To avoid this, do not use arcs with a line width greater than 1 pixel.

## See also

Drawing objects

Set up general properties for an arc object

Options on the General tab of the Arc Properties dialog box

Keywords: arc