MoI discussion forum
MoI discussion forum

Full Version: tangent

From: wimverbe
12 Sep   [#1]
is there a "snap on" method to draw a tangent line between 2 circles? I can approximate the first point, the second suggests the tangent to the next circle, but the first one is seldom right on the circle, which makes trimming difficult or inaccurate.

my current workaround is approximating the first point, snap to the tangent point on the second one, then move the first point away, and start a new line on the tangent point of the second circle, then click on the suggested tangent point of the first circle.


Image Attachments:
Screenshot 2026-09-11 at 22.47.35.jpg 


From: BurrMan
12 Sep   [#2] In reply to [#1]
Hi Wimverbe,
MoI has a "Tan-Tan" snap which means the line is tangent to BOTH objects

Click your first circle (The approximation you mention) and navigate to the second circle.

You will then get a "Tan" snap.

If you move around in that area a bit, you will get a "Tan/Tan" snap, which adjusts the 2 pick points. Click that.

Your line is tangent to both circles.
From: pressure (PEER)
12 Sep   [#3] In reply to [#1]
The tan/tan snap does this. If you draw a line with the start point on one circle and the end point on the other circle, then the tan/tan snap point will appear automatically on the second circle.

To draw exactly what's shown in the screenshot, drag out a construction line from a point on the first circle to the tan/tan snap on the second circle. Then draw the line along the c-line. Here's a video:

https://moi3d.com/forum/lmessages.php?webtag=MOI&msg=10273.2

- Peer

Message 12105.4 was deleted


From: Zooen
12 Sep   [#5]
Oops, several of us replied almost at the same time.
7.30 am in Honolulu – 13.30 pm in US States and 19.30 pm in the south of France !
From: BurrMan
12 Sep   [#6]
The world is watching Michael!
From: wimverbe
12 Sep   [#7]
woow, thanks everyone! didn't know that one, obviously! maybe I should watch more tuts... ;-)

cheers
wim
From: Frenchy Pilou (PILOU)
12 Sep   [#8] In reply to [#7]
There are some hidden secrets inside the UI !;)