Snapping

Tangent Snap
Tangent allows you to snap a line tangent to the surface of a circle, ellipse or arc.

Tangent from an arc, tangent to a circle.

To draw a line tangent to two objects in the drawing, select the line tool, move the cursor over one object, press the T key and click. Drag to the second object and press the T key when you are over the object. Move the cursor around to get the tangent snap that you want--often there are two points. Release the mouse button to complete the line.

Perpendicular Snap
Perpendicular allows you to snap an object perpendicular to the surface of another object. You can draw an object perpendicular from the surface of an object or to a surface.

Perpendicular from a rectangle. Perpendicular to a line.

Mixing Snap Types
Now let's draw a line perpendicular from a line and tangent to a circle.

Perpendicular from a line. Tangent to a circle.

Nothing to it! Put the cursor over the line and press the P key to get the perpendicular snap. Click the mouse and drag toward the circle. When over the circle, press the T key to get the tangent snap and move the mouse toward the tangent point you want. Release the mouse.

There are many different combinations of snapping choices possible, but remember that you can snap at the start of drawing an object or at the end. It's seamless, and you make up your mind what you want to do in the process of drawing. Not before.

Now do you see why people love PowerCADD?

Okay, let's try some advanced snapping....

Go back to PowerCADD