Point snap methods

When snapping and entering points, you can find a number of helpful tools in the dialog line and on the shortcut menu (point assistant).

These tools and options are only available when the program expects you to enter a point, for example, after you have selected a tool for creating elements.

Tools and options on the shortcut menu

Icon	Point snap	Use

	Last point	The last point entered is used.
	Additional point for offset	The point snapped is fixed; the offset values entered in the x, y or z direction apply to this point even if the crosshairs snap to other points.
	Lock coordinate	The current coordinate is used as the fixed coordinate. You can select the X, Y, or Z coordinate or a combination thereof on a submenu.
	Fixed X	All the point entries you make (in the dialog line or using the cursor) apply to the X coordinate snapped. This way, you can place points in exact alignment with existing points.
	Fixed Y	All the point entries you make (in the dialog line or using the cursor) apply to the Y coordinate snapped. This way, you can place points in exact alignment with existing points.
	Fixed Z	All the point entries you make (in the dialog line or using the cursor) apply to the Z coordinate snapped. This way, you can place points in exact alignment with existing points.
	Use coordinates	Uses the coordinates of the next point you click (only available if Global point is selected).

	Point of intersection	Snaps to the point of intersection between two elements.
	Midpoint	Finds the midpoint of an element (e.g., a line) or a line that you enter. When you apply this tool to circles and ellipses, the centers of these elements are snapped.
	Center of arc	Finds the midpoint of an arc, ellipse, part of an ellipse or spline.
	Division point	Divides a line that you enter or an element into an arbitrary number of segments. The division points can be addressed by clicking or entering a number.
	Base of perpendicular	Finds the point on an element that is obtained by dropping a perpendicular line from an arbitrary point onto the element.
	Reference point	Places a point on an element that is at a specific distance from a (reference) point. The reference point is displayed as a direction symbol and is located at either the start or the end of the element, depending on which is nearest to the point you clicked. The distance between the displayed reference point and the contact point is displayed in the dialog line.
	Offset by radius	Finds a point obtained from the point of intersection of two new circles that you enter.
	Track/ extension point	Places a point on a track line.
	Delete track points	Deletes all the track points placed; the track lines are determined again.
	Point snap options	Opens the Options dialog box and displays the Point snap page. You can specify snap options and make settings for point snap and CursorTips.
	Track tracing options	Opens the Options dialog box and displays the Track tracing page. You can turn track tracing on and off and make settings for track tracing and specify how it is displayed.

Tools and options in the dialog line

Icon	Point snap	Use
	Global point	Lets you enter absolute coordinates in the dialog line. These coordinates are relative to the origin (= global point) of the CAD system (0, 0, 0). You can also get the coordinates of an existing point by clicking it or entering its point number.
	Global X coordinate	Finds a point based on its global X coordinate (relative to the origin (= global point) of the CAD system (0, 0, 0)).
	Global Y coordinate	Finds a point based on its global Y coordinate (relative to the origin (= global point) of the CAD system (0, 0, 0)).
	Global Z coordinate	Finds a point based on its global Z coordinate (relative to the origin (= global point) of the CAD system (0, 0, 0)).
	Delta point	Lets you enter relative coordinates in the dialog line. You can place a point based on its offset relative to the point currently snapped or the last point entered.
	Delta X	Finds a point based on its offset in the X direction relative to the last point entered.
	Delta Y	Finds a point based on its offset in the Y direction relative to the last point entered.
	Delta Z	Finds a point based on its offset in the Z direction relative to the last point entered.
	Polar coordinates	Places a point at a specific distance and a given angle from the last point.
	Area detection on/off	Switches the automatic detection of closed, delimited areas on and off.

	Track line	Switches track lines on and off. As an alternative, you can also press the F11 key.
	Rasterize length	Clicking this icon places the reference point exactly on points of a grid you define by entering the grid length and value. The current coordinates relative to the last point entered are displayed in a ToolTip attached to the crosshairs.
0.125	Grid length	Here you enter the value for 'Rasterize length'. This setting also applies to track lines.
		The following icons only appear when you have activated an entity creation function (e.g. Line):
	Enter at right angles	The line can only be drawn at right angles to the current system angle.
	Enter using cursor snap	The line can only be drawn at specific angles.
15.00	Cursor snap angle	Define the cursor snap angle here (only possible when is switched on).