When creating or placing a component initially in the Layout Editor, it is the cursor that snaps to the target. As you move and place objects, the shape of the cursor changes to indicate the target being snapped to. When multiple sources or targets are selected, the closest of these snap to each other as you create and move objects. Sources defines the part of the object you are placing that snap, and Targets defines what is snapped to. The options you may select under Targets and Sources are not mutually exclusive, and you may select none, some, or all them. The following options are set in the Snapping area under Layout Editor in the Tools > Options > General Options... window. These options control automatic snapping to objects, grid points and directions.
Changes to global options only affect new layout designs (i.e., navigating to Tools > Options > General Options to open the global Options window, and choosing on the options in the Layout Editor tab) . To configure options for existing designs, navigate to the Design Options window (i.e., from Layout, select Settings). Then choose options on the associated tabs, and click OK to save changes. All changes made in the Design Options window affect only the active design).
Constraints
- Snap To Grid — targets that are not on the grid is ignored. If there are no usable targets in the snapping distance, the closest grid location is used.
- Snap Across Hierarchy — any object in the hierarchy becomes a target for snapping; this does not affect the sources.
Directional Constraint
- None — no directional drawing/snapping constraint
- Orthogonal — forces directional drawing/snapping to the orthogonal (x or y)
- 45 Degree — forces directional drawing/snapping to 45 degrees
For more information see Directional Drawing.
Distance
Select the distance in pixels within which snapping occurs. Default is 20 pixels.
Targets
Select the types of targets to which objects can snap. By default, all targets are subject to snapping except Any Edge Location and Edge Intersection.
Sources
Select the types of source points that can be snapped. When Object Center is selected, it is the center of an object that snap to a target. For instance, with an arc, when Object Center is selected, the center of the arc snap to the nearest target point. By default, all sources are subject to snapping except Any Edge Location.
All snapping modes can be controlled via the Layout Snaps toolbar, which are active during an operation.