• AutoCAD

Object Snap in AutoCAD

Make precise drawings all the time with Object Snap.


00:03

In AutoCAD, object snaps provide a way to specify precise locations on objects.

00:10

This ability is critical when creating accurate drawings.

00:15

For example, you can use object snaps to create a line from the center of a circle to the midpoint of another line.

00:22

In this case, with this drawing zoomed in, you can see the overlapping lines and irregular line lengths.

00:28

This is an example of a drawing that was not created using object snaps.

00:32

Without using object snaps, drawings are much more likely to be inaccurate.

00:37

When the Object Snap function is turned on, it becomes active as soon as a drawing command does.

00:43

For example, with a drawing already open that contains objects,

00:49

from the ribbon, Draw panel, select Line.

00:52

Hover the cursor over part of the object.

00:55

Both a marker and tooltip appear.

00:58

In this instance, it is the Endpoint of a line.

01:02

Note that the marker will change based on its location on the object.

01:06

For example, a center or midpoint appears differently than an endpoint does on the same line.

01:12

If you need to use one or more object snaps repeatedly, you can turn on running object snaps.

01:20

Running object snaps persist through all subsequent commands.

01:23

For example, you might set Endpoint, Midpoint, and Center as running object snaps.

01:29

To toggle ON running object snap, from the Status bar, select Object Snap.

01:35

Then, on the Status bar, click the down-arrow next to Object Snap.

01:39

From this menu, select the object snaps that you want to persist.

01:43

Notice that checkmarks appear next to the object snaps that are already enabled.

01:49

Even while selected, you can suppress running object snaps temporarily by using an override key.

01:56

For example, if running object snaps are turned on, but you want to turn all of them off for a single point, you can hold down F3.

02:05

When you release this key, running object snaps are restored.

02:10

You can also specify a single object snap.

02:14

A single object snap stays in effect only for the next point you specify.

02:20

To do so, begin the Line command again.

02:23

Then, press SHIFT and right-click to display the Object snap shortcut menu.

02:30

Select Midpoint.

02:31

Now when you hover your cursor over a line in your drawing, the midpoint is the only active snap.

02:39

Click to specify the first point of the line.

02:42

Notice that once the first point is placed, the program suggests the running object snaps again.

02:48

Specify the second point at the endpoint of a line.

02:52

Object snaps are a great tool for creating accurate drawings.

Video transcript

00:03

In AutoCAD, object snaps provide a way to specify precise locations on objects.

00:10

This ability is critical when creating accurate drawings.

00:15

For example, you can use object snaps to create a line from the center of a circle to the midpoint of another line.

00:22

In this case, with this drawing zoomed in, you can see the overlapping lines and irregular line lengths.

00:28

This is an example of a drawing that was not created using object snaps.

00:32

Without using object snaps, drawings are much more likely to be inaccurate.

00:37

When the Object Snap function is turned on, it becomes active as soon as a drawing command does.

00:43

For example, with a drawing already open that contains objects,

00:49

from the ribbon, Draw panel, select Line.

00:52

Hover the cursor over part of the object.

00:55

Both a marker and tooltip appear.

00:58

In this instance, it is the Endpoint of a line.

01:02

Note that the marker will change based on its location on the object.

01:06

For example, a center or midpoint appears differently than an endpoint does on the same line.

01:12

If you need to use one or more object snaps repeatedly, you can turn on running object snaps.

01:20

Running object snaps persist through all subsequent commands.

01:23

For example, you might set Endpoint, Midpoint, and Center as running object snaps.

01:29

To toggle ON running object snap, from the Status bar, select Object Snap.

01:35

Then, on the Status bar, click the down-arrow next to Object Snap.

01:39

From this menu, select the object snaps that you want to persist.

01:43

Notice that checkmarks appear next to the object snaps that are already enabled.

01:49

Even while selected, you can suppress running object snaps temporarily by using an override key.

01:56

For example, if running object snaps are turned on, but you want to turn all of them off for a single point, you can hold down F3.

02:05

When you release this key, running object snaps are restored.

02:10

You can also specify a single object snap.

02:14

A single object snap stays in effect only for the next point you specify.

02:20

To do so, begin the Line command again.

02:23

Then, press SHIFT and right-click to display the Object snap shortcut menu.

02:30

Select Midpoint.

02:31

Now when you hover your cursor over a line in your drawing, the midpoint is the only active snap.

02:39

Click to specify the first point of the line.

02:42

Notice that once the first point is placed, the program suggests the running object snaps again.

02:48

Specify the second point at the endpoint of a line.

02:52

Object snaps are a great tool for creating accurate drawings.

Was this information helpful?