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Snapping methods to help to set the snapping direction

Modified: 15 Jan 2024 Tekla Structures 2023
2023
Tekla Structures

In addition to the snap switches and the numeric snapping, you can use some additional methods that help you to pick the correct positions when snapping.

Set a temporary reference point

You can set a temporary reference point to be used as a local origin when snapping in models and drawings. Typically the Ortho tool and the Snap to perpendicular points snap switch use the reference point information.

The reference point information is automatically set to the last picked point, and shown as a black cross. When you interrupt a command, the reference point information, meaning the last picked point, is cleared. If you need to use the reference point, set the temporary reference point manually.

  1. Run a command that requires you to pick points.

    For example, start creating a beam.

  2. Pick the start point.

  3. Hold down the Ctrl key and pick a position.

    Alternatively, right-click and select Define temporary snap reference point and pick a position.

    A black cross indicates that this position is now a temporary reference point. You can continue snapping from the temporary reference point.

  4. Repeat step 3 to create as many reference points as needed.

    If you use the Define temporary snap reference point command, you need to activate it for every reference point you pick.

  5. Release the Ctrl key and pick the end point.

    Tekla Structures creates the object between the start point and the end point. For example:

Lock X, Y, or Z coordinate on a line

You can lock the x, y, and z coordinates on a line. The coordinate locks work both in modeling mode and in drawing mode.

Locking the coordinates is useful when you need to determine a point to pick and the needed point does not exist on the line. When a coordinate is locked, you can only snap to points in that direction.

In drawing mode the locking is useful, for example, if you need to drag a view along x or y axis only.

  1. Run a command that requires you to pick positions.

    For example, start creating a beam.

  2. Lock a coordinate:

    • To lock the x coordinate, press X.

    • To lock the y coordinate, press Y.

    • To lock the z coordinate, press Z.

    Now you can only snap to points in the chosen direction.

    Tekla Structures indicates the locked coordinate with the letters X, Y, or Z in the status bar at the bottom of the Tekla Structures main window.

  3. To unlock the coordinate, press the same letter (X, Y, or Z) again.

Alternatively, you can control the coordinate locks with Quick Launch. Start typing toggle coordinate lock, and click the name of the coordinate lock in the search results list to activate the switch.

Align objects using a snap grid

A snap grid makes it easier to align objects in a model, because it allows you to snap to positions only at set intervals. Use a snap grid when you pick points using the Snap to any position snap switch.

  1. On the File menu, click Settings > Snap settings.
  2. Define the grid spacing intervals in the Spacing boxes.

    For example, if the spacing of the x coordinate is 500, you can snap to positions at intervals of 500 units in the x direction.

  3. If needed, define offsets for the snap grid origin in the Origin boxes.
  4. To activate the snap grid, select the Active (when free snap is on) check box.
  5. Click OK.

    Now when you pick points using the Snap to any position snap switch, you can only snap to positions at set intervals. The snap grid itself is invisible in the model.

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