Smart points snapping

Tool

Tool set

Shortcut

Smart Points

smart_pts.png 

Snapping palette

D

When smart points snapping is on, you can temporarily remember a point where the cursor paused for a set length of time, or where a special shortcut key was pressed. Once a smart point has been defined, you can align to it horizontally, vertically, or at a specific angle using extension lines and SmartCursor cues.

To set a smart point, pause the cursor over an object point for the set number of seconds, or press the T key. A small box displays when the smart point has been set.

A special smart point, called a datum, can be set to temporarily create a new origin for snapping and measuring purposes. The datum does not need to be set over an object, but can be placed anywhere. When a datum is set, all measurements along the X and Y axis are taken from that point, rather than the drawing’s origin, until the datum is moved or deactivated. When a datum is created, the Data bar displays coordinates relative to the datum, using the datum point as the origin. If a datum is set before moving an object with the Selection tool, the object’s location and angle are measured relative to the datum.

To set a datum point, pause the cursor for the set number of seconds, or press the G key. The datum displays as a small circle around the chosen point. See Data bar and edit group options to activate the floating Data bar automatically after a datum is set.

The SmartCursor remembers up to three smart points, and then the oldest points are replaced. A smart point or datum can be released by pausing the cursor or pressing the shortcut key over the point again.

Press the Esc key to clear all smart points.

A current snap is needed to acquire smart points, so enabling Snap to Object, at a minimum, is recommended.

To activate smart point snapping:

1.      Click the tool.

2.      To change settings, if needed, double-click the tool, or select Tools > SmartCursor Settings.

The SmartCursor Settings dialog box opens. From the Smart Point tab, specify the smart point snap settings.

The appearance of the smart points can be changed; see Configuring interactive display. The shortcut key assigned to smart points and the datum can be customized; see Modifying special shortcuts.

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SmartCursor cues

Setting snapping parameters

Drawing with snapping

 

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