The Snap and Grid panel controls the drafting grid, keyboard-based element movement, and Object Snap functions in ARCHLine.XP.

These settings help you create and edit geometry accurately by providing visual grid references, predefined movement increments and automatic snapping to characteristic points of existing geometry.

Location:
File > Options > Snap and grid

Drafting grid

The Drafting grid provides a regular visual reference in the drawing area. It can help with orientation, alignment and the accurate placement of elements.

X spacing

Defines the horizontal distance between adjacent grid lines.

For example, when X spacing = 500 mm, vertical grid lines are positioned at 500 mm intervals.

Y spacing

Defines the vertical distance between adjacent grid lines.

For example, when Y spacing = 500 mm, horizontal grid lines are positioned at 500 mm intervals.

The X and Y spacing values can be different, allowing a rectangular rather than square drafting grid.

Frequency of main grid line

Defines how frequently a main grid line appears among the regular grid lines.

For example:

Frequency of main grid line = 5

means that every fifth grid line is displayed as a main grid line.

With an X and Y spacing of 500 mm, main grid lines therefore occur every:

5 × 500 mm = 2500 mm

Main and minor grid lines can use different colors, making larger grid intervals easier to recognize.

Grid major lines

Defines the display color of the main grid lines.

Main grid lines provide a stronger visual reference than the minor grid lines.

Grid minor lines

Defines the display color of the minor grid lines.

Using different colors for major and minor lines makes the grid structure easier to read.

Style

Defines the graphical line style used for the drafting grid.

For example:

Dashed line

displays the grid using dashed lines.

Note: The drafting grid is a visual drawing aid. It should not be confused with architectural or structural grid elements that form part of the BIM model.

Nudging elements with keyboard arrow keys

The Nudging elements with keyboard arrow keys settings define how far selected elements are moved when the keyboard arrow keys are used.

This provides a convenient method for making small, controlled adjustments without starting a separate Move command.

Increment to move the selected elements (Horizontal or vertical)

Defines the standard movement distance when an Arrow key is pressed.

For example:

100 mm

means that each Arrow-key press moves the selected element by 100 mm horizontally or vertically, depending on the key pressed.

Typical behavior:

• Left Arrow – moves the element to the left.
• Right Arrow – moves the element to the right.
• Up Arrow – moves the element upward.
• Down Arrow – moves the element downward.

Fine increment to move the selected elements (SHIFT + Arrow keys)

Defines the smaller movement increment used when SHIFT + Arrow key is pressed.

For example:

10 mm

allows the selected element to be moved in 10 mm steps.

This provides two levels of keyboard movement:

The standard increment is useful for normal repositioning, while the fine increment allows more precise adjustments.

Object Snap

Object Snap automatically detects characteristic geometric points while you draw, move or edit elements.

Instead of manually estimating a position, the cursor can snap exactly to points such as endpoints, midpoints, centers and intersections.

Object Snap is one of the primary precision-drafting tools in ARCHLine.XP.

Object Snap Enabled

Turns Object Snap on or off globally.

When enabled, ARCHLine.XP searches for the enabled snap points near the cursor.

When disabled, the individual Object Snap modes listed below are not used for automatic snapping.

Disable Object Snap above this number of elements

Defines a limit above which Object Snap is automatically disabled.

This setting is intended to prevent Object Snap calculations from affecting performance when the drawing or view contains an exceptionally large number of potential snap candidates.

For example:

1000000

sets the corresponding upper limit for Object Snap processing.

Size of the pickbox (in % relative to the screen size)

Defines the size of the cursor area used to detect potential Object Snap points.

The value is specified relative to the screen size.

For example:

1.00

defines the corresponding pickbox size used around the cursor.

A larger pickbox makes it easier to detect nearby geometry but may result in multiple snap candidates being found in dense drawings. A smaller pickbox requires more precise cursor positioning but makes target selection more selective.

ORTHO (Angle Snap)

ORTHO (Angle Snap) enabled

Activates angular direction constraints during drawing and editing.

When ORTHO is enabled, the cursor can follow predefined angular directions instead of moving freely at any angle.

This is useful for creating geometry along horizontal, vertical or other regularly used directions.

Angle snap increments

Click Edit to define the angular increments or directions available to Angle Snap.

These settings determine which directions ARCHLine.XP recognizes when angular snapping is active.

For example, angular increments can be configured to make it easy to draw geometry at frequently used angles.

Snap in fixed direction

Activates snapping along a predefined direction.

When enabled, ARCHLine.XP uses the specified Distance and Angle values to assist positioning along that direction.

Distance

Defines the distance increment used by the fixed-direction snap.

For example:

10 mm

Angle

Defines the angular direction used by the fixed-direction snap.

For example:

5°

Together, these settings provide additional control when elements must be positioned according to a predefined directional constraint.

Snap to

The Snap to section determines which geometric points ARCHLine.XP recognizes as Object Snap targets.

Only enabled snap types are automatically detected.

Perpendicular

Snaps to a point where the resulting geometry is perpendicular to another element.

This is useful when creating lines or positioning elements at exactly 90° to existing geometry.

Endpoint

Snaps to the endpoint of a line, edge, arc or other supported geometry.

This is one of the most commonly used snap modes and ensures that connected geometry meets exactly.

Midpoint

Snaps to the exact midpoint of an element or edge.

For example, a 2000 mm long line has its midpoint at exactly 1000 mm from either endpoint.

This is useful for centering elements without manually calculating their position.

Center

Snaps to the center point of supported circular or arc-based geometry.

Typical examples include the center of a circle or circular arc.

Nearest point

Snaps to the geometrically nearest point on an element.

Unlike Endpoint or Midpoint, the snap position does not need to be a predefined characteristic point. ARCHLine.XP determines the appropriate position directly on the selected geometry.

This is useful when an element must connect precisely to another element but the exact position along that element is not predetermined.

Intersection

Snaps to the exact intersection point of two geometric elements.

For example, when two lines cross, Intersection Snap allows the cursor to select their mathematically exact crossing point.

This avoids inaccuracies caused by manually estimating the intersection.

Focus point

Snaps to the focus point of supported geometric objects, such as ellipses.

This snap type is primarily useful when constructing or editing geometry based on elliptical focal points.

Tangent

Snaps to a point where the new or edited geometry is tangent to an arc, circle or other supported curved element.

A tangent connection touches the curve without crossing it at the point of contact.

This is useful for accurately constructing transitions between straight and curved geometry.

Find the reference points for objects, columns, beams only

Enables the detection of additional reference points for supported objects, columns and beams.

When enabled, ARCHLine.XP can use the characteristic reference points of these elements as snapping targets, making accurate alignment and positioning easier.

This is particularly useful when placing or moving elements relative to the insertion point, axis or other defined reference points of objects and structural elements.

Using multiple Object Snap modes

Several Object Snap modes can be enabled simultaneously.

For example, enabling:

Endpoint + Midpoint + Center + Intersection

allows ARCHLine.XP to automatically recognize all four types while the cursor moves over the drawing.

When several possible snap points are located close to the cursor, ARCHLine.XP evaluates the available candidates and offers the appropriate snap position.

For dense drawings, disabling snap modes that are rarely needed can make point selection more predictable.

Recommended settings

For general architectural modelling and drafting, the following configuration provides a practical starting point:

The exact settings should be adapted to the scale and type of the project.