Object Snap
Object snap allows specific points on drawing objects to be snapped to.
These snap functions can be set permanently or temporarily for a single action. When object snaps are set permanently, one or multiple functions can be enabled.
The snap area at the cursor is shown in all programs by a small square. When an object snap has been set, this is visible at the cursor. As a special sign of an enabled object snap, a second square is drawn around the actual snap area:
Object snaps can be set permanently with the function 1-7-02 Object Snap. The following object snaps are available here:
Endpoint (this object snap is always enabled)
Snap intersection of two lines
Snap perpendicular point on a line
Snap midpoint of a line
Snap horizontally to a line
Snap vertically to a line
All object snaps are described in detail below.
As soon as the cursor touches a line, circle or arc, the point from the list of enabled object snaps that is closest to the cursor is displayed. For example, if you start with the cursor at one end of a line, that endpoint is shown first. If you then move the cursor further along the line, the midpoint may suddenly be shown (if enabled), and eventually the other endpoint.
The program thus shows the point that would be snapped if you clicked at that moment. The type of point found by the program can be recognized by two things: a symbol is shown for each object snap, and a small helper text appears indicating the name of the found point type (e.g. endpoint or midpoint).
The object snap can also be invoked temporarily for a single action. This occurs when a function (e.g. entering a wall or a wall timber) has been started. The list of object snaps is then called with the middle mouse button or Shift + right mouse button. When pressing the middle mouse button (Shift + right mouse) a list opens at the location of the program where the cursor is located. You select the desired object snap and the program returns to the active function. The object snap function is used only for the next point.
Intersection
You click the intersection of two lines. The program snaps this intersection. If multiple intersections lie within the snap area, they are offered in sequence.
Intersection of 2 lines
With this function you can select two lines that do not actually cross but would cross if extended. This virtual intersection is then snapped by the program.
Midpoint
You select a line and the program automatically snaps the midpoint of that line.
Midpoint between two points
You click two points and the program calculates the midpoint between those two points and snaps it. The points can be clicked using all available snap functions in the hierarchy described above. A temporary object snap can therefore also be chosen.
Perpendicular to line
You click a line and the program snaps the point on this line where the perpendicular from the reference point falls. The perpendicular point does not need to lie directly on the chosen line; it can also lie on the extension of the line. It is distinguished whether this perpendicular point is the start or end point of a new line:
If the perpendicular function is used for the start point of the new line, the next click or input may only be a location that allows the perpendicular to the first line. The exact point on the first line is determined only with the second point of the new line. All other positions are rejected by the program.
If the perpendicular function is used for the second point of a new line, the program snaps the point on the clicked line where the perpendicular from the first point falls.
Point on edge
You click a line or edge and the end of the line that is nearest to the clicked location is used as the zero point for a distance measurement. This end is temporarily marked with a point (square). Afterwards the desired distance from this point can be entered.
Triangle
The term 'triangle' arises because on-site the lengths of three sides of a triangle are measured. Since only these three lengths and no angle are available, two possible points result. One of the two is correct. The two points are the intersections (IP1, IP2) of two circles around the base points (P1, P2). The distance between points P1 and P2 corresponds to the first side length. The radii of the circles correspond to the other two side lengths of the triangle.
With this object snap function you click two points and enter a side length for each point. The program draws the circles dashed according to the specification of points P1 and P2 and the two side lengths.
After entering the second side length the program calculates the two intersections and queries both intersection points in sequence. For this the points are highlighted one after the other. If you reject both points, the first point is offered again. If you reject it again, the 'auxiliary triangle' function is terminated and the program returns to the same state as at the start of the object snap function.
Horizontal to line
In timber construction it is often necessary to draw horizontal lines up to an existing line (e.g. level line). The procedure is exactly the same as for the perpendicular function. This auxiliary function can be used for either the start point or the end point of a line (see perpendicular procedure). You click a line (reference point). The program snaps the point that lies exactly parallel to the X-axis of the current coordinate system from the last point (start point):
Vertical to line
In timber construction it is often necessary to draw vertical lines up to an existing line (e.g. plumb line). This auxiliary function can be used for either the start point or the end point of a line (see perpendicular procedure). You click a line (reference point). The program snaps the point that lies parallel to the Y-axis of the current coordinate system above or below the last point (start point):
Angle + horizontal dimension
This snap function cannot be used for the first point of a line. Therefore the button is locked if no point has been entered yet. You enter an angle and the base measure (G) between point 1 and point 2 (see drawing below).
You may enter positive and negative angles. Positive angles are measured counterclockwise and negative angles clockwise. The reference line is the current X-axis. The base measure is always entered as a positive value. After confirming the base measure the program snaps the point that lies in the direction of the specified angle at the specified base measure.
Angle + vertical dimension
This snap function cannot be used for the first point of a line. Therefore the button is locked if no point has been entered yet. You enter an angle and the height measure (H) between point 1 and point 2 (see drawing above).
You may enter positive and negative angles. Positive angles are measured counterclockwise and negative angles clockwise. The reference line is the current X-axis. The height measure is always entered as a positive value. After confirming the height measure the program snaps the point that lies in the direction of the specified angle at the specified height measure.
Reference point
It is often helpful to define a point (e.g. endpoint of a line) by means of a reference point. That is, you first snap a temporary point (= reference point) graphically and then specify the actual point from there. From this reference point special auxiliary functions are needed to define the desired point. Some of these functions have already been described in the "Object Snap" chapter.
These auxiliary functions are offered in a separate menu (as with object snap) after clicking the reference point:
After choosing the 'Reference Point' function you click the desired point. All snap functions (standard snap, grid snap, object snap) are again available. After clicking the reference point, a small button bar appears as with the object snap. In this button bar the auxiliary functions for the distance to the reference point listed below are available.
X-Y-Relative
The auxiliary function 'X-Y-Relative' corresponds to entering relative XY coordinates. The program opens a small dialog box to enter the distances in X and Y directions. After confirming correct values the corresponding point is snapped.
Angle + horizontal measure / Angle + vertical measure
The description of these functions corresponds to the description in the similarly named section above. The difference is that these functions can in this case also be used for the first point of a line, because the reference point is chosen temporarily beforehand.
Angle + length
'Angle + length' means 'angle and length of the new element'. Unlike when called via the normal object snap, this snap function can also be used for the first point of a line. You enter an angle and the length (L) between point 1 and point 2 (see section 'Angle base').
Second point
With the auxiliary function 'SecondPoint' you first specify a second point as a direction point. Afterwards a distance is entered. This distance is measured from the reference point in the direction of the second point.
Positive and negative values can be entered. Positive values are measured in the direction of the second point, negative values in the opposite direction. After confirming the distance the corresponding point is created.
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