Snap to guides, grid, and points

Snapping is an effect where an object is attracted to a guide, grid, or another node, similar to a slight gravitational field that tugs at nodes in objects as you drag them around your page. If guide snapping is selected when you drag an object near a guide, each node in that object wants to align itself with the guide. Snapping is a great way to align one or more objects on your page.

To enable snapping, choose one of the following:

Note that the snapping feature snaps only the nodes of objects to grid lines, guides, or other nodes. You can also snap the bounding box of paths to grid lines. However, in neither case can you snap the edges of objects (like the outside edge of a stroke).

Tip: When snapping is enabled, you can disable it temporarily by holding down the S key on your keyboard while you drag an object.

While you drag paths or nodes of paths, different marks appear onscreen to show how the snapping is being carried out. An "X" is displayed wherever a moving node or bounding box handle is snapped to a grid corner, another node, or a guide. Where it is snapped to a vertical grid line, a red vertical bar is displayed. When snapped to a horizontal grid line, a red horizontal line is displayed.

When the circle is dragged up and to the left, the nodes and bounding box handles snap to the guides

Snapping is also effective when you draw out new paths with the drawing tools (with the exception of the Paintbrush tool, which ignores snapping). For example, if you select the Rectangle tool or the Pen tool, and then click and drag near a grid or guide line, the rectangle will automatically snap to that point.