How to draw an Ellipse

By: Tim Closs

What is an ellipse?
Basically it is a stretched circle

What is an Axis?
The horizontal line and vertical that pass through the center.

What is the Minor Axis?

The shortest axis. Which in this case is the vertical line.

What is the Major Axis?

The longest of the two axis. Which is the horizontal line.

Tools you will need

45/90 Triangle or 30/60 Triangle

A piece of computer paper
T-Square or parallel with drafting board
Masking Tape
Pencil with eraser
Compass

Step 1
Line up paper with T-square parallel

Step 2
Tape down Top corners

Step 3
Tape down Bottom corners

Step 4
Find the Center of your paper using the
cross technique (see last weeks notes)

Step 5
Layout vertical axis using :
45/90 Triangle
T-square
Pencil

Step 6
Layout horizontal axis using :
T-square
Pencil

Step 7
Mark Minor Axis
Set compass to aproximatley 2 inches
Mark vertical axis

Step 8
Mark Major Axis
Set compass to aproximatley 3 1/2 inches
Mark horizontal axis

Step 9
Mark center O
Mark major axis A B
Mark minor axis C D

Step 10
Set compass from O to C
Make a mark on the right side of major
axis
Label E

Step 11
Using your triangle draw a Line from C to
B

Step 12
Set compass to E B
Set compass on C and swing an arc
intersecting line C B

Step 13
Label intersection F

Step 14
Bisect line F B (see earlier lessons on
bisecting a line)

Step 15
Extend Bisector to make point H

Step 16
Mark point G where bisector intersected
line AOB

Step 17
Set compass O to H
From O make a mark above C and label it
K

Step 18
Set compass O to G
From O make a mark to the right A and
label it J

Step 19
Using your triangle draw a Line from H
through J

Step 20
Using your triangle draw a Line from K
through J

Step 21
Using your triangle draw a Line from K
through G

Tangency

Line K J
Line H J
Line K G
Line H G

Step 22
Set compass to G B
Having the center on G swing an arc to
both Tangency lines

Step 23
Set compass to J A
Having the center on J swing an arc to
both Tangency lines

Step 24
Set compass to H C
Having the center on H swing an arc to
both Tangency lines

Step 25
Set compass to K D
Having the center on K swing an arc to
both Tangency lines

Reference
Walker, John and Bernard D. Mathis.
Exploring Drafting. Illinois: The GoodheartWillcox Company, 2012. Print
Photos: Taken by T. Closs