Snap To

The snap tools can be used to increase accuracy and speed when drawing and editing objects. The snap tools can be turned on and off as objects are drawn, so that different locations can be specified for every point. More than one snap tool also can be set at the same time, providing for a choice of snap locations. The closest snap location is indicated by a red dot and a text field that identifies which snap location was found. Set the "search radius" for a snap to command using the Options menu > Preferences> Dimensions/Tolerances command and the Screen Snap to Tolerance edit box; the value in that edit box defines the distance in pixels that the program will search to locate the specified "snap to" object (e.g., points and grids, midpoints and ends and so forth).

Note:  Snap tools can also be used when reshaping an object.

1. Select the appropriate snap tool.

• Points and Grid Intersections button or the Draw menu > Snap To > Points and Grid Intersections command.  The Snap to Joints and Grid Points tool finds and snaps to the joint or intersection of grid lines closest to the mouse pointer.

• Midpoints and Ends button  or the Draw menu > Snap To > Midpoints and Ends command. The Snap to Midpoints and Ends tool finds and snaps to the closest midpoint or end of frames and shells. It will also snap to the end points of NLLink elements.

• Intersections button or the Draw menu > Snap To > Intersections command. The Snap To Intersections tool finds and snaps to the intersection of two frame objects and a frame object with an area object, regardless of whether there is a joint at the intersection location.

• Perpendicular button or the Draw menu > Snap To > Snap to Perpendicular command. The Snap To Perpendicular tool finds and snaps to the intersection point of a line drawn from the last entered point perpendicular to the frame objects or area edge closest to the mouse pointer. This is a helpful way to make sure that lines are perpendicular to each other.

• Lines and Edges button or the Draw menu > Snap To > Snap to Lines and Edges command.  The Snap to Lines and Edges tool finds and snaps or “hugs” the closest frame object, grid line or edge of the closest area object. Even though this does not provide the same level of accuracy as the other snap options, it is a good way to make sure that the object being drawn is located on the object being “hugged.”

• Find Grids button or  the Draw menu > Snap to > Fine Grid command. The Snap to Fine Grid tool finds and snaps to the intersections of the fine grids in a planar view.  The Fine Grid spacing may be controlled using the Options menu > Preferences > Dimensions/Tolerances command.

Note:  The snap options are evaluated in the above order. For example, if a location has both an end point and an intersection, the end point will be found first because it is evaluated first.

2. Move the pointer in the graphics window.

3. When a snap location is found close to the pointer, a red dot and a text field describing the snap location is displayed.

4. When the desired snap location is found, click the left mouse button to accept it.

5. Modify the Snap options as required and continue entering elements.

It is sometimes helpful to use the snap tools to quickly draw an object then use the commands on the Edit menu to modify the object.

See Also

Drawing Controls