T-FLEX Parametric CAD. Fundamentals. 2D Design

Fundamentals. Two-Dimensional Design
Snapping Mode. Snap Types
104
T-FLEX CAD system supports two distinct modeling modes. One is free mode in which the elements are
selected within commands using the automenu and the keyboard. The other, object snapping mode, provides
pre-highlighting of the elements available as references in element creation and editing commands. The latter
mode is enabled by default on starting the application.
The pictogram , located on the toolbar “View”, controls the snapping modes. Use this icon to enable or
disable the object snapping mode.
An element is pre-highlighted in the object snapping mode as the cursor approaches the element. Meanwhile,
the cursor itself gains a mark corresponding to the pre-selected element, and a popping up help message
displays the name and Id of the element. On the screen this looks like the following diagram:
The pre-highlighted element can be selected using the mouse. This relieves the user from using the automenu
or the keyboard in most cases.
Various construction and graphic elements are pre-highlighted in creation and editing commands only when
it makes sense. Thus, for instance, in spline creation, only nodes will be pre-highlighted, as the spline is
created based on a set of nodes. No other elements will be pre-highlighted on cursor approaching, as this
does not make sense for spline creation.
Please note that the current documentation refers to the element selection mode with disabled
object snapping when describing commands (implying only the use of automenu options).
To temporarily disable object snapping within a command, hold the key down. Snapping is
suspended as long as the key is held.
When defining positions of various 2D elements in their creation/editing commands, with the object
snapping enabled, not only can you use the existing elements (construction lines, graphic lines, nodes etc.),
but also select characteristic points defined by object snaps. Nodes can be automatically created in the
selected points. Those could be nodes at intersection of construction lines, nodes from fragments, nodes on
dimensions, leader notes, tolerances and text entities, nodes aligned vertically/horizontally with another 2D
node, nodes at the center of a graphic circle line or circular arc, etc.
The most number of object snaps is used in the sketch-creating command “SK: Create Sketch”. Some of
the object snaps may be unavailable in other 2D commands. Besides that, the use of snaps is affected by the
settings made in the command “SO: Set System Options”. You specify what snap types can be used
when working with a 2D drawing on the “Snaps” tab of this command. There you can also set the priority
for each snap. Snap priorities determine, in what order the system will offer them to the user (in the cases