2011

Table Of Contents
NOTE Object snaps work only when you are prompted for a point. If you try to
use an object snap at the Command prompt, an error message is displayed.
Use Running Object Snaps
If you need to use one or more object snaps repeatedly, you can turn on running
object snaps. For example, you might set Center as a running object snap if
you need to connect the centers of a series of circles with a line.
You can specify one or more running object snaps on the Object Snaps tab in
the Drafting Settings dialog box, which is accessible from the Tools menu. If
several running object snaps are on, more than one object snap may be eligible
at a given location. Press Tab to cycle through the possibilities before you
specify the point.
Click the OSNAP button on the status bar or press F3 to turn running object
snaps on and off.
NOTE If you want object snaps to ignore hatch objects, set the OSOPTIONS
system variable to 1.
Use Object Snaps in 3D
By default, the Z-value of an object snap location is determined by the object's
location in space. However, if you work with object snaps on the plan view
of a building or the top view of a part, a constant Z-value is more useful.
If you turn on the OSNAPZ system variable, all object snaps are projected onto
the XY plane of the current UCS or, if ELEV is set to a non-zero value, onto a
plane parallel to XY plane at the specified elevation.
NOTE When you draw or modify objects, make sure that you know whether
OSNAPZ is on or off. There is no visual reminder, and you can get unexpected
results.
To snap to a geometric point on an object
1 At the prompt for a point, hold down Shift and right-click in the drawing
area. Select the object snap you want to use.
2 Move your cursor over the desired object snap location.
If AutoSnap is on, your cursor automatically locks onto the snap location
you selected, and a marker and tooltip indicate the object snap point.
3 Select an object.
586 | Chapter 17 Use Precision Tools