Using Snap Capabilities

Snap capabilities are available in a number of commands. Using them gives you more control, for example, when creating a rigid pipe, routing pathways, or placing shapes on the XY plane. You can use snap capabilities for more control over routing. By default, snap capabilities are turned on and the default mode is Snap to Step.

  1. In the Snap toolbar, to enter a value in the box, key in your value or select it from the list provided.



    Note: You can only route in multiples of the value entered. If the value is 50 millimeters, you cannot create a route that is 33 millimeters in length, but you can create routes that are 100, 150 millimeters and so on.

  2. In the Snap Mode sub-toolbar, do one of the following:


    • Click Snap to Step .

      Snap to Step allows you to snap to points that are multiples of the value entered in the step input box measured from the global coordinate system. As you move your mouse, a label displays the distance from the current axis in multiples of the value entered in the step input box. In the illustration below, a step of 100mm is used. When routing, for example, you can create segments whose length is in multiples of 100 mm only.







    • Click Snap Off Last Position .

      Snap Off Last Position allows you to snap to points that are multiples of the value in the step input box measured from the last point at which you clicked. You can change the value in the step input box after a click if you want to route a segment of a certain length or place a resource an exact distance away from where you last clicked.



    • Click Snap Relative to Plane .

      Snap Relative to Plane allows you to snap to a new location a given distance from a user-defined reference plane.

      To define the reference plane, select a surface.



      To redefine the reference plane, click Snap Relative to Plane again.

Note:

  • Clicking anywhere in 3D space automatically sets the snap mode to Snap to Step.
  • To turn off snap capabilities, click Toggle Snap .