The "Arcs" preferences (in menu File / Preferences..., "General" section, "Arcs" tab) lets you control the arc creation process. It does not affect existing arcs: they have already been created.

The top part of the dialog allows you to set defaults for specific types of arcs . You select the "Arc Type" and then set defaults for it (such as the "Default width").

The "Placement angle" is the granularity for running this type of arc (in degrees). A value of 90 lets arcs run at 0, 90, 180, or 270 degrees: manhattan geometry. A value of 45 lets it run at any of 8 angles (useful for schematics). A value of 0 lets it run at any angle (used in artwork).

The "Pin" is the node that gets used for connecting two of these arcs. It is typically a "Pin" node (see Section 7-1-1). If changed to a node with geometry (such as a contact node) then these contacts will be placed at the bends of this arc.

The checkboxes in the "Default State" section have these meanings:

- Rigid - whether the arc is rigid in length and relationship to its nodes (see Section 5-2-1).
- Fixed-angle - whether the arc stays at the same angle when one end moves (see Section 5-2-1).
- Slidable - whether the arc slides around in its node's port (see Section 5-2-2).
- Directional - whether the arc has an arrow drawn on it (see Section 5-4-1).
- Ends extended - whether the arc extends past its endpoint by half its width (see Section 5-4-3).

The bottom portion of the dialog has controls for all arcs.

- "Play 'click' sounds when arcs are created" - plays a sound to confirm arc creation. The sound is a single click for one arc, a double-click for two arcs, and a triple-click for three or more arcs.
- "Duplicate/Array/Paste increments arc names" - sets whether the name on an arc should be kept unique by auto-incrementing after this arc has been duplicated, arrayed, or pasted.