By the mid-twentieth century, circle templates supplemented the use of compasses. Prior to computerization, compasses and other tools for manual drafting were often packaged as a set with interchangeable parts. Compasses can be used for mathematics, drafting, navigation and other purposes. As dividers, it can also be used as a tool to mark out distances, in particular, on maps.
A beam compass and a regular compass Using a compass A compass with an extension accessory for larger circles A bow compass capable of drawing the smallest possible circlesĪ compass, more accurately known as a pair of compasses, is a technical drawing instrument that can be used for inscribing circles or arcs. For other uses, see Compass (disambiguation). This article is about the drafting instrument.
