For options which require graphical data input, the Snap options allow the user to quickly and easily "snap" exactly to any point or line segment.
The Snap option in the View menu, is only applicable to the 2-dimensional views (i.e. Opening Section View, or the Support Design Views). It can be useful for defining the Opening Section using the Add Opening Section option, and with options such as Move Vertices and adding or editing support.
Note: the Snap option in the View menu does not apply to the 3-dimensional views (i.e. 3D Wedge View), although snapping is available in the 3D Views, for example, while the Length and Angles option is being used. The 3D snap options are independent of the 2D snap options.
If you select the Snap option in the View menu, you will see the following options in the Snap dialog:
Snap
Ortho Snap (Ortho)
Object Snap (OSnap)
These options can be enabled by selecting the appropriate checkbox in the Snap dialog. They can also be toggled on or off by using the indicated function keys. The Snap options in Unwedge operate as described below.
If the Snap option is selected, this allows the user to snap exactly to:
Any vertex of any model entity (Vertex Snap).
If you hover the mouse over any vertex, the cursor will change to a circle, indicating that you may snap exactly to the vertex location.
Any line segment of any model entity (Line Snap).
When the cursor is hovered over any line segment in the view, the cursor will change to an X. If you click the mouse when the X is displayed, the point will be snapped exactly to the line segment.
Any grid point (if the grid is displayed) (Grid Snap).
If the Grid is displayed, you can snap exactly to grid points when the mouse is hovered over a grid point. The cursor will change to a small circle when placed over a grid point, to indicate that you may snap to the grid point.
Any extension line displayed by the OSnap option (see below for details).
The Ortho Snap option allows the user to snap exactly to the horizontal or vertical directions.
If the line you are currently drawing is nearly horizontal or nearly vertical, a small "right-angle" (i.e. "orthogonal") symbol will be displayed beside the cursor, and the line will snap exactly to the horizontal or vertical direction. This indicates that you can snap the line exactly along a horizontal or vertical direction.
TIP - the Ortho Snap option can be useful in conjunction with Line Snap (see above), since it allows you to simultaneously draw an exactly horizontal or vertical line, and also snap the point exactly to a line segment.
The Object Snap option (OSnap) allows the user to create temporary extension lines which are aligned with vertices or line segments. If the Snap option is also enabled, these extension lines can be snapped to, in the same manner as described above for the Line Snap. To use Object Snap:
Select OSnap from the Snap dialog, the right-click menu, or use the F3 function key.
While in this mode:
If you place the cursor over any vertex of any modeling entity, red dotted "extension lines" will be automatically drawn from the vertex, in the horizontal and vertical directions.
If you place the cursor over any line segment of any modeling entity, a red dotted extension line will automatically be drawn, extending from the line segment, in both directions.
While these red dotted lines are displayed on the screen, you may snap exactly to these extension lines, if the Snap option is also enabled, as described above for the Line Snap.
These extension lines can be useful as guides while creating or editing your model. Note that these lines disappear when the current action is completed, they do not remain on the model.
There are numerous ways of toggling the Snap options:
Select the Snap option in the View menu, to display the Snap dialog
While adding or editing the Opening Section, a right-click will bring up a context menu with the Snap options.
The F9 function key will toggle the SNAP option.
The F8 function key will toggle the ORTHO option.
The F3 function key will toggle the OSNAP option.