Available in: Sketch

Sketch an ellipse by placing a center point and two axes radii (one major and one minor).

  1. Click the Ellipse tool Ellipse tool icon.
  2. Click to place the center point of the ellipse.

  3. Drag outward and click to place the primary axis radius. This sets the axis diameter equidistant from the center point.

    Placing the primary axis radius of the ellipse

  4. Drag and click to set the secondary axis radius. This sets the axis diameter equidistant from the center point and perpendicular to the primary axis.

    Placing the secondary axis radius of the ellipse

  5. Optionally, immediately after the ellipse is created, input a numerical value (or type "=#" to input a variable) for the primary axis diameter and press enter, then input a numerical value (or type "=#" to input a variable) for the secondary axis diameter and press enter. This dimensions the ellipse without having to use the dimension tool.

    Dimensioning the ellipse

    6. To input a variable in any dimension field after the geometry is already sketched, the equal sign (=) is not required. Type "#" to input a variable.

    Either axis can be major or minor, depending which axis is sketched larger (major) and which axis is sketched smaller (minor).

See the Learning center course Introduction to Sketching (Onshape account required) for more information.