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I’m trying to split up pie slices that I've cut from a circle to have a sort of stacked version similar to what you'd get from stacked bar graph, but each slice is a separate stack.

I can't figure out how to get accurate sizes of the stacks. For example, in the image provided, I’m looking to get a 60%,18%,13%,9% mix of that one slice where the portions in-between each slice represent those percentages. In the first image, I’ve tried to scale the pie slice, and the results I get are very inaccurate (I also thought deducting those percentages from 100 would generate better results, but they didn’t).

The second is a rough estimate of what I’m trying to achieve. What should I do? I could also be making this much harder than it needs to be. If so, please do tell.

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3 Answers 3

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Update:

Total divisions need to equal 100. The previous method left a random 40% which is undesired.

So.... using hard numbers that total 100, which translate to percentages totaling 100.

  • I drew a circle with a 120pt diameter (60pt radius x 2).
  • Copy, paste in front.
  • To figure the next circle multiply the desired offset (18) by 2 (36) add to diameter = 120 + 36 = 156pts. Change the w or h in the Control Bar or Transform Panel to 156pts.
  • Copy, paste in front.
  • Repeat.. 13pt radius x 2 = 26 + 156pts (previous diameter) = 182pts - adjust diameter to 182pts in Control bar or Transform Panel.
  • Copy, paste in front
  • Repeat 9ptx2= 18 + 182 = 200pts - Adjust diameter.

enter image description here

This creates circles where the total radius equals 100pts, thus 100%.

This will serve as a guide for the percentages.

Group, and move it on top of the pie graph and align on center points. Then scale the "guide" to match the circumference of the graph.

enter image description here

Then if you split the path you end up with 4 segments of the desired values.

enter image description here

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  • I've tried this, But maybe I should have clarified, I want the percentages to be reflective of the spaces in between and not back to the center. By doing it like this I end up with 5 separate pieces per slice which would be inaccurate for my purposes.
    – Lee Elliott
    Jun 8 at 19:10
  • @LeeElliott I'm not grasping "Spaces in between". Do you mean the slices between each pie division? Can you just sketch something quickly in Photoshop to kind of reflect what you're after (even if it's inaccurate in terms of numbers). I think you are going to end up with "pieces". I don't believe the subdivisions can be done on a single object.
    – Scott
    Jun 8 at 19:20
  • I've added some more context that should be helpful for what im trying to achieve.
    – Lee Elliott
    Jun 8 at 19:29
  • I believe my first image is the same as your second, its just been trimmed already to a pie slice.(91%,87%,82%,40%). But that still leaves me with 5 portions? Am i missing something?
    – Lee Elliott
    Jun 8 at 19:38
  • it is not clear to me, but the scale % for the AI dialog may be for the radius or diameter. In the OP's second image, it definitely looks like the sizes chosen are based on proportion of the radius. The problem here is that if taking e.g. 9% of the radius for one portion and doubling the next chunk for 18%, you are not actually visualizing the percentages because it is an area. I forget the math for this. If it were square, you'd have 1square block vs 4 square blocks or 25/75 rather than 1/2.
    – Yorik
    Jun 8 at 20:01
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So given 100 unit radius, you have a formula: A = 3.14 * r^2

Which gives a circle with area of 31400 sq units

Take 60% of that you have 18840 sq units. 18% is 5652 sq units, etc.

To convert an area to a radius use: sqrt(area/3.14) (sqrt = square root)

To visualize this, you do basically what @scott illustrated:

Starting with the largest fractional area:

  • use area to solve for the radius;
  • make a circle with that radius;
  • add the area of the next smallest circle to the sum of the areas of the previous circles (if using 100 units, the last in the sequence should evaluate to the starting point 31400sq units)
  • repeat (goto solve for the radius)
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Thanks @yorik & @scott for the help. What I think we were forgetting is that we need the area of a Donut, after the initial 60% circle.

Heres the process that got me to my answer( would love an easier way if anyone knows please share!):

I needed a pie slice where the portions represented 60%,18%,13% & 9%

Find the area of your outer most circle, A1

A1*0.6=A2

A2 is the 60% circle

For the 18% its a donut so a subtraction needs to be made to get the correct area for it.

18% donut area = D18 D18=0.18*A1

A3 is the circle area we dont know yet and also the outer edge to D18.

A3-A2=D18 A3=D18+A2

Now get the diameter for A3 for the width,

A3=pie*r^2, solve for r then multiply by 2 to get diameter for your circle

Repeat for the 13% circle,

D13=A1*0.13

A4-A3=D13 A4=D13+A3 Solve for diameter of A4

9% donut is the remainder between your outer most circle.

Here are the results:

enter image description here

and it trimmed down to a pie: enter image description here

This correctly shows each portion as a %. Again please if there's an easier method please share.

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