AutoCAD's Object Snaps

OBJECT SNAPS (OSNAP):

AutoCAD Command List

OSNAPs allows you to select positions on components in a drawing for locating other features.

You can select Osnaps by:
clicking on the tool button icon (see above)

OR

typing an Osnap alias on the prompt line when needed (SEE EXPLANATION BELOW).

When an Osnap is used, the CURSOR changes shape when it is near a position that matches the Osnap selected and "snaps" to that point. The cursor shape differs with each Osnap.

*NOTE: Although you can set an Osnap(s) to stays active all the time (select Running Object Snaps under the Tools Menu), this should only be used for repetitive snap constructions. If you forget to turn the Osnap off and start a new task, you end up snapping to the wrong features.

OSNAP Commands and typed abbreviations:

Osnap type

Typed
Command
and Use

Center

cen

Snaps to the center of a circle or arc. Click the left mouse button when the cursor is on the edge of the circle or arc you wish to use.

End-
point

end

Snaps to the endpoint of a line, polyline, or arc. Place the cursor over the specific end of the entity you wish to snap to and click the left mouse button.

Insert

ins

Locates the insertion point of text or a block. Place the cursor anywhere on the block or line of text and click the left mouse button.

Inter-

section

int

Allows you to select the intersection between two items. Place the locating square over the intersection and click with the left mouse button.

Midpoint

mid

Snaps to the midpoint of a line or arc. Click near the entity's midpoint.

Nearest

nea

Locates the point or entity nearest the cursor position. Place the cursor near the item you wish to select and click the left mouse button.

Node

nod

Snaps to a point entity. You must position the cursor square so that it contains the point and click with the left mouse button.

Perpen-

dicular

per

This option locates a perpendicular point on an adjacent entity. It will only function as the second location in a command. Place the cursor on a line or straight pline segment near the perpendicular location and click with the left mouse button.

Quadrant

qua

Locates the 0, 90, 180, or 270 degree position (quadrants) of a circle. Place the cursor near the quadrant point and click the left mouse button when the cursor changes shape.

Tangent

tan

Places an entity at the tangent point of an arc or circle. Place the cursor on the arc or circle as near as possible to the expected tangent point and click the left mouse button.

Return to the AutoCAD Command List.

Osnap type	Typed Command and Use
Center	cen Snaps to the center of a circle or arc. Click the left mouse button when the cursor is on the edge of the circle or arc you wish to use.
End- point	end Snaps to the endpoint of a line, polyline, or arc. Place the cursor over the specific end of the entity you wish to snap to and click the left mouse button.
Insert	ins Locates the insertion point of text or a block. Place the cursor anywhere on the block or line of text and click the left mouse button.
Inter- section	int Allows you to select the intersection between two items. Place the locating square over the intersection and click with the left mouse button.
Midpoint	mid Snaps to the midpoint of a line or arc. Click near the entity's midpoint.
Nearest	nea Locates the point or entity nearest the cursor position. Place the cursor near the item you wish to select and click the left mouse button.
Node	nod Snaps to a point entity. You must position the cursor square so that it contains the point and click with the left mouse button.
Perpen- dicular	per This option locates a perpendicular point on an adjacent entity. It will only function as the second location in a command. Place the cursor on a line or straight pline segment near the perpendicular location and click with the left mouse button.
Quadrant	qua Locates the 0, 90, 180, or 270 degree position (quadrants) of a circle. Place the cursor near the quadrant point and click the left mouse button when the cursor changes shape.
Tangent	tan Places an entity at the tangent point of an arc or circle. Place the cursor on the arc or circle as near as possible to the expected tangent point and click the left mouse button.