Snap mode

Purpose#

The object snap lets the pointer snap to significant points of existing elements while drawing, dimensioning and measuring. The snap mode defines which points are snapped: either the automatic chooses itself, or you restrict to one snap type. The mode applies until you change it and is saved with the settings.

Access#

• Keys: Q automatic · E endpoint · M midpoint · S intersection · Z center · L element · P point · G grid · F free. The keys also work while the flying input field is open. Tangent and Distance from endpoint have no key.
• Tool window on the left, section ⚡ Snap mode (1): click the snap type; the active one is orange.
• Right-click menu on the drawing area: submenu with the same snap types.
• Command search : Snap: endpoint, snap etc.
• Display: the status bar shows the active mode at the left in orange (for example ◻ Endpoint) and flashes briefly on a change; the message reads Snap mode: ….

left half

right half

The snap types#

Ⓐ Automatic#

Q. The program checks near the pointer all snap types that are ticked in the Automatic snap dialog (factory: endpoint, midpoint, center, intersection, element, tangent, point) and takes the most suitable hit. Factory setting at start; the option Snap to automatic for geometry tools switches back here when a drawing tool is called.

◻ Endpoint#

E. Start and endpoints of lines, arcs, polyline segments, corners of rectangles.

◆ Midpoint#

M. The middle of a line, an arc or a segment.

✕ Intersection#

S. The intersection of two elements — also where they only touch.

◉ Center#

Z. Centre of circles, arcs and ellipses.

◎ Tangent#

No key. The point on a circle or arc at which the drawn line touches tangentially — the point moves with the start point of the line.

⟋ On element#

L. The point on an element (edge) nearest to the pointer — for connections anywhere on a line or a circle.

✛ Point#

P. Point elements of the drawing (tool Point, centroids from measuring, coordinate table).

🔲 Grid snap#

G. Snaps to the grid lines of the current grid step — with the dynamic grid therefore finer when zooming in. Whether the grid snap also works with the grid hidden is decided by the checkbox Grid snap also with hidden grid. In the tool Select the grid snap is suspended for plain clicks (it would pull the click away from the element); when dragging a grip, placing a standard part and moving with the gizmo it applies again.

⭕ Free#

F. No snap — the pointer takes the exact mouse position. Only exception: the start point of a running chain (polyline, spline) is always snapped so that the chain can be closed.

⊢ Distance from endpoint#

Only in the tool window and in the right-click menu, without key and without entry in the command search. On choosing it the dialog ⊢ Distance from endpoint asks for the distance in mm (factory 10); snapped is then the point that lies at this distance from the nearest endpoint along the line or arc. The status bar shows ⊢ 10 mm from endpoint.

Interplay#

• Snap tolerance: about 12 pixels around the pointer, independent of the zoom.
• Tracking (TRACK in the status bar) builds on the snapped points: pause briefly over a snap point and it becomes a tracking point (Tracking and ortho).
• Dimensioning uses the same snap; with snap Point a point-to-point dimension is created, otherwise an element dimension (Dimension).
• Gizmo actions (set pivot, align to line) always snap with automatic.
• Window ⚙ Snap in the status bar opens the dialog Automatic snap (⚙ Snap).

Related commands#

• Automatic snap settings — snap types of the automatic, auto-weld
• Coordinate entry — type the start point instead of snapping