Snapping to 3D Data

3D window digitizing comes in two basic forms:

• Free digitizing, where data points are digitized (either with the mouse or stylus) onto the currently active 3D section, or;

• Snapping, where data points are added to be coincident with other data points on loaded 3D objects.

Snapping is typically performed using the right mouse button during digitizing, or the equivalent action on a smart stylus. In this scenario, snapping can be applied whenever it is appropriate, and you can continue digitizing onto a 3D section (the "free" method) using either the left mouse or a stylus tap.

You can also enable snapping for any type of digitizing, by setting a passive snapping mode using the auto-snap-switch ("asn") command.

Also, see Digitizing in 3D and 3D Design.

Snap Settings

If a command doesn't automatically enforce snapping, the data you snap to when right-clicking or using the smart stylus depends on your snap settings. These determine:

• The data type(s) to which you can snap new data points.

• The data object overlay(s) that can be a target for snapping.

• Special snapping instructions, such as snapping to the mid point of a string edge, or to a grid.

It is important to define your snap settings first and then digitize new data. For example, if you plan to digitize a string that snaps to a wireframe surface during digitizing (as opposed to projecting it to the surface after), you will need to ensure wireframe data is enabled as a target for snapping.

Note: Snapping can also be used when editing data, such as moving points or extending a string, for example.

Typically, snap settings are defined using your product's Home ribbon.

Snap setting related topics and activities

• Snap Mode

• Snapping Grid Parameters

• Digitizing in 3D

Snap Commands

There are several commands that allow snap settings to be defined. Click a link for more information:

• auto-snap-switch ("asn")

• snap-always-switch ("sna")

• snap-to-drillhole-data-switch

• snap-to-perpendicular-switch ("stpe")

• snap-to-plane-data-switch ("stpp")

• snap-to-point-data-switch ("stpp")

• snap-to-string-data-switch ("stps")

• snap-to-wireframe-data-switch ("stpw")

• set-snap-grid-parameters ("gs")

• set-snap-grid-switch ("stg")

• set-snap-lines-switch ("stl")

• set-snap-mode ("snm")

• set-snap-none-switch ("sn0")

• set-snap-points-switch ("stpo")

• set-snap-surface-switch ("sts")

Note: All of the snap-to....switch commands are also supported by explicit commands to enable or disable a particular snap mode. For example, snap-to-point-data-switch command variations are snap-to-point-data-on and snap-to-point-data-off. You can find help for these other commands using the search facility, the index or command tables.