Grids and Snapping

Grid Panel
Major Grid
Minor Grid
Snapping
Snap Vertices
Snap Guidelines
Align To Grid

Grid, Guide, and Snap Menu

Drawings may have one or two grids to assist in placing graphics or viewing the relative location of graphics. The grids are referred to as "Major" and "Minor". If Rulers are shown the grids may be linked to the rulers. The grids may be used as drawing aids to visualize alignments and spacings.

Graphics may be "snapped" to grid intersections. Alternatively graphics may be snapped in specific relationships or orientations to other graphics. Graphic vertices (corners, or ends) may be snapped to the vertices of other graphics or intersections of lines and curves.

Guide snapping will provide precise orientation of one graphic to others on the drawing. Guide actions include: co-linear orientation of lines and paths, parallel and perpendicular orientation, positioning of vertices along reference lines or on intersections.

This submenu is found on the Format main menu. It provides short cuts to common grid actions and access to the Grid Panel which is used to set the spacing of the grids and to select the grid actions active for a drawing.

Both grids may be shown or not. Drawing actions may be snapped to a grid independently of the visibility selection for the grid. The color of each grid may be selected using the Grids Panel.

A graphic or graphics must be selected before the two snap options at the bottom of the submenu are be enabled. If selected a graphic(s) may be "Snapped" to either grid.

The Show Grid Panel action opens the grid parameter panel. If the panel is open this menu selection will close the panel.

The menu sections "Snap to ..." will toggle the drawing's snap action for the named grid. If Snap is selected a check mark is shown on the menu. When Snap is selected all drawing actions that specify a location on the drawing are allowed only at the horizontal-vertical intersections of the grid. This option is valid for the both the Major and Minor grids.

The menu sections "Show ..." will toggle the drawing's show grid selection. If Show is selected a check mark is shown on the menu. When Show is selected the grid is drawn for the target drawing, when not checked the grid is not drawn. The color and spacing for the grid is defined on the Grid Panel.

The menu sections "Snap Graphics to ..." apply to a selected graphic (or graphics) on the drawing. The menu selection will move the graphic(s) to the nearest intersection of the grid specified. The graphic's reference point is moved to the grid intersection. These are disabled unless a graphic is selected. The action may be used even if the grid is not shown. The spacing for the grid is defined on the Grid Panel.

If Rulers are shown the grids are usually linked to the ruler spacing and tick marks. This action is enabled by a selection on the Grid Panel.