Angle Snapping

Two points define an angle; Snap to Angle only applies to the second point of a two-point feedback segment, such as when drawing a line or polygon. When snapping to angles, the SmartCursor finds the angles specified, and by default, the SmartCursor also finds angles relative to the horizontal and vertical axes. Snap to Angle can also detect a plan rotation angle (Vectorworks Design Series required); items created along that angle when in a rotated plan view, appear horizontal when in a non-rotated, world coordinate view.

To set angle snapping:

1. Select Tools > SmartCursor Settings, or double-click the Snap to Angle tool in the Snapping palette.

The SmartCursor Settings dialog box opens. From the Angle tab, specify the angle snap settings.

Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter	Description
Angles
Angles from Axes	Snaps to the specified angles with respect to the horizontal or vertical axes. For example, if 45° is specified, the angles found include 45°, 135° (90+45), 225°(180+45), and so on. Specify the angles to detect, separated by a semi-colon; 45° and 30° are suggested by default. Up to eight angles can be set.
Angles relative to prior segment	Snaps to the specified angles relative to the previously drawn segment, instead of with respect to the axes. This is convenient when drawing multi-segment shapes, since the angle snap is based on the prior segment while drawing, and no mental arithmetic is required. The / key toggles this option on and off. When off, angles snap relative to the axes as in the Angles from Axes setting. The shortcut key can be set in the workspace editor; see Modifying Special Shortcuts
Plan Rotation (Design Series required)	Finds the angle of plan rotation; this snap is useful when drawing in a rotated top/plan view, and requiring objects to be horizontal when the plan is no longer rotated
Alternate Coordinate System	Specifies an additional rotated coordinate system that provides angle snaps and alignments along its axes
Enter Angle	Sets an angle other than the angles entered in Angles from Axes. Enter an alternate angle.
Extension Lines	Draws an extension line from a smart point to the alternate angle and 90° to the alternate angle

Holding the Shift key while drawing forces the SmartCursor to select the nearest snap angle.

2. Click OK to set the angle snapping options.

3. To activate angle snapping, click the Snap to Angle tool from the Snapping palette.

Click here for a video tip about this topic (internet access required).

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SmartCursor Cues

Setting Snapping Parameters

Drawing with Snapping

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