Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Use Object Snap overrides or running object snaps to enforce precision by making sure
that new points you pick coincide
exactly
with points on existing objects. In AutoCAD,
it's not good enough for points to
almost
coincide or to look like they coincide. You lose
points, both figuratively and literally, if you don't use object snaps or one of the other
precision techniques covered in this chapter to enforce precision.
Most, but not all, Object Snap overrides have Running Object Snap equival-
ents. For example, Endpoint, Midpoint, and Center work as either overrides or
running object snaps, but Mid Between 2 Points works only in Override mode.
Other Practical Precision Procedures
The following are some other AutoCAD precision techniques (refer to Table 7-1):
Snap:
If you turn on Snap mode, AutoCAD constrains the crosshairs to an
imaginary rectangular grid of points at the spacing that you've specified when
AutoCAD prompts you to specify a point.
In every AutoCAD release until this one, Snap mode was as much nuis-
ance as drafting aid. Enabling Snap mode caused the cursor to move in snap incre-
ments
all the time
, and that could prevent you from selecting objects or picking
the point you wanted. When you enable Snap mode in AutoCAD 2012, your
crosshairs jump to snap points only when the program asks you to pick a point.
Follow these steps to turn on Snap mode:
1. Right-click the Snap Mode button on the status bar.
2. Choose Settings.
The Snap and Grid tab on the Drafting Settings dialog box appears.
3. Enter a snap spacing in the Snap X Spacing field and click OK.
Click the Snap Mode button on the status bar (labeled SNAP if your status-bar but-
tons show text) or press F9 to toggle Snap mode off and on. To use Snap effect-
