Object Snap in AutoCAD

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

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This ability is critical when creating accurate drawings.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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from the ribbon, Draw panel, select Line.

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Hover the cursor over part of the object.

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Both a marker and tooltip appear.

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

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

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

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

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Running object snaps persist through all subsequent commands.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

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

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You can also specify a single object snap.

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

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To do so, begin the Line command again.

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

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Select Midpoint.

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

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Click to specify the first point of the line.

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

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Specify the second point at the endpoint of a line.

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Object snaps are a great tool for creating accurate drawings.