Snapping

When using the shape drawing tools, you can snap to existing elements in your scene, such as shapes, streets, or terrain. When snapping is available, the cursor changes and orange highlights on edges and vertices are displayed.

Snapping options

To see snapping options when using the drawing tools, open the Tool Options window Tool options by clicking Window > Tool Options in the CityEngine main menu.

You can turn snapping on and off in the drawing tools by clicking the following types of snapping elements:

Snap to locked objects Locked objects

Snap to locked objects in the Scene Editor.

Snap to shapes Shapes

Snap to shapes such as footprints, 3D models, and streets.

Snap to global axes Global Axes

Snap to global axes.

Snap to guides Guides

Snap to guides.

Snap to terrain Terrain

Snap to the terrain. See also Force Planar.

Note:

Press Shift while drawing to temporarily disable the selected snapping elements.

Snapping features

The shape drawing tools allow you to snap to the following features:

Global axes

Snap to the global axes.

Global axes

Vertex

Snap to shape or street vertices.

Vertex

Edge

Snap to shape or street edges.

Edge

Edge extension

Snap to the extension line of a previous edge in the shape.

Edge extension

Guide

Snap to guides and guide extension lines.

Guide

Intersection

Snap to intersecting edges, guides, and guide extensions.

Intersecting guides

90 degrees

Current segment is 90 degrees to the previous segment.

90 degrees

90 degrees to edge or guide

Current segment is 90 degrees to edges, guides, and guide extensions.

90 degrees edge or guide

90 degrees extension line from starting vertex

The extension line between the starting vertex and next vertex is 90 degrees to the starting segment.

90 degrees extension line

Parallel edge

Current segment is parallel to edges in the shape.

Parallel edge

Parallel guides

Current segment is parallel to guides.

Parallel guides

Midpoint

Snap to the midpoint of an edge.

Midpoint

Combination

Snap to the intersection of combined snapping features.

Combination

Tip:
  • To finish the shape when drawing, double-click or press Enter.
  • Snapping is also available with the Transform Move tool.