Snap to parallel points, lines, edges, and extension lines

You can snap to lines when you model objects that should be lined up with or parallel to an existing object or with a grid line. You can also snap to the extension lines of part reference lines, or to the extension lines of nearby objects' reference lines.

Snap to parallel points

With the Snap to parallel points snap switch you can snap to points that are parallel to grid lines, reference lines, and the edge lines of existing objects or reference objects. Use the Snap to parallel points switch, for example, when you need to model new parts or structures that are parallel to an existing structure or parallel to a grid line, such as strip footings or walls, or if you need to cut polygonal shapes that are parallel to edge lines of irregular shapes.

Ensure that Snap to parallel points snap switch is active.
Run a command that requires you to pick two or more points.

For example, a beam, a wall, or a strip footing.
Pick the start point in the model.

Alternatively, you can pick a temporary reference point by holding down the Ctrl key and then pick a point that is used as a reference point.
Place the mouse pointer on top of a line or an edge that you want to use as basis for the parallel snap, and using the mouse pointer follow the line or the edge to the desired direction. Keep the mouse pointer close to the line or the edge.

Tekla Structures shows the parallel snap symbol and a green, dashed line that indicates the dependency between the picked point and the parallel point.

If you move the mouse pointer further away in the direction of the line or the edge, the parallel snap follows the extension of the line or the edge.
Pick the rest of the points, or enter a distance by using the keyboard and press Enter.

Alternatively, if you had previously picked a temporary reference point, pick the start point.

Snap to a line or an edge

Use the Snap to line snap switch when you need to snap to another line in the model. You can snap to grid lines, reference lines, and the edges of existing objects.

Use the Snap to line snap switch when you need to create, for example, several beams one after another on a grid line. With the Snap to line snap switch you do not need separately pick the start point and the end point of the beam.

Ensure that the Snap to line snap switch is active.
Run a command that requires you to pick two or more points.

For example, start creating a beam. When you move the mouse pointer over a grid line or a nearby object, Tekla Structures automatically picks both ends of the line. The yellow arrow symbol indicates the direction of the points.
To switch direction, move the mouse pointer closer to the opposite end of the line.
Click the left mouse button to confirm the snap position.

Tekla Structures creates the object. For example:

Note:

If you use the Snap to line snap switch with a command that requires only one point to be picked, for example when creating a column, only the start point of the line is used to position the part.

Snap to extension lines

Use the Snap to extension lines snap switch when you need to snap to the extensions of the part reference lines, which are the lines between part handles, or to the extensions of nearby objects' reference lines. The extension line is shown as a blue, dashed line. You can use extension lines as an aid when you want to align objects with one another, or for creating objects parallel to an existing object.

The Snap to extension lines snap switch works with beams, polybeams, plates, and slabs.

With beams, the extension line is the line that passes through both of the part handles.
With polybeams, plates, and slabs, the extension lines are the lines that pass through to the consecutive part handles.
With beams and polybeams, you can snap to the line that passes through the handle at the end of the beam, and which is perpendicular to the direction of the beam.

Note:

The Snap to reference lines and points and Snap to geometry lines and points snap switches do not affect the Snap to extension lines snap switch.

Ensure that the correct snap switches are active:
- Switch on Snap to extension lines .
- Switch on either Snap to intersection points or Snap to nearest points (points on line) if you are snapping to the intersection of an extension line and a grid line.
- Switch off Snap to end points if you are working in 3D.
Run a command that requires you to pick points.

For example, start creating a beam, a plate, or slab.
Move the mouse pointer over an existing object to see the extension lines.

When a line is found, you can move the pointer further away while keeping the snap.
Pick the rest of the points.

Tekla Structures creates the object:

Tips on how use extension lines as a snapping aid

When you snap to the extension lines of nearby objects, the extension line snaps to the direction of the nearby object and the extension line indicates the direction that is followed in snapping. Snapping to the extension lines of nearby objects can be useful, for example, when you want to align objects with one another.

If you need to create objects parallel to existing objects, for example parallel beams, use the extension line of a nearby object as a snapping aid.

For example, start the Create steel beam command, and pick the start point. Move the mouse on top of the object whose extension line you are using to create the new parallel beam. Click on the extension line to indicate the end point of the new parallel part.