ProtaStructure : Object Snap Options

Object Snap Options

During object creation commands, you can snap the cursor to points on the drawing entities such as endpoints, midpoints, intersections and centres. For example, you can insert an axis element from an intersection created by two existing axis elements to the midpoint of another axis.

Object snap options can be turned on by picking the desired obj​ect snap function from the “Object Snap tab” in the “Display Settings” before making a point selection or for dragging.

During the insertion of structural members such as columns, beams and walls, the intersection object snap mode is automatically assumed and only axis intersections are considered.

Available Object Snap Modes:

Entity Intersection

When the Intersection object snap mode is active, the nearest intersection of entities is snapped. Intersection mode snaps to the intersection of the objects and also the vertices of the polylines.


Smart Points Along Members

When the Smart Point along members object snap mode is actived, the beam and wall insertions will snap to the 0.25L, 0.33L, 0.5L, 0.67L and 0.75L of the existing wall and beam members.

0.25L :


0.33L :


0.5L :


0.67L :


0.75L :



Perpendicular (Smart Points)

When the Perpendicular object snap mode is active, the cursor snaps to a point perpendicular to the picked entity.


Start/ End/ Corner

When the Start/ End/ Corner object snap mode is active, the nearest Start/ End/ Corner point of the picked entity to the point selected is snapped.


Middle/Center

When the Middle/ Center object snap mode is active, the cursor snaps to the middle/ center of the picked entity.


Stepwise Polar (CTRL)

When the stepwise polar mode is active, the object (except wall and beam) can be inserted with the angle step by holding down the CTRL key.


Osnap Tracking (Extensions)

When osnap tracking is active, the extensions to the endpoints of axes is snapped.


Orthogonal Grid

When the orthogonal grid object snap mode is active, the cursor snaps to the orthogonal grid in the background.



    • Related Articles

    • ProtaStructure Basic Training Guide

      Thank you for choosing ProtaStructure. This Basic Training Guide aims to get you up and running quickly. Starting from an introduction to the interface, this guide explains how to create, analyze and design a model step-by-step. You should be able to ...
    • ProtaStructure Suite - New Features by Versions

      Thank you for choosing Prota as your technology partner. ProtaStructure Suite is an engineering solution with high technical content, including powerful features that put you ahead of your competitors. ProtaStructure is actively developed, and new ...
    • Working with Axes

      Axis Properties "Axis Properties” will be loaded by selecting the "Grid" icon in the "Modelling" ribbon or by choosing the "Properties" option in the shortcut menu (displayed by right-clicking the mouse) after the selection of an existing axis. A new ...
    • Model Options

      Options to be used in analysis can be specified in “Model Options” page of “Building Analysis” form. “Model Options” comprises of four tab pages namely, Model, Shear Wall Model, Slab Model, and Settings. Any modifications made in this page can be ...
    • Building Model Check

      The building model check will check for possible modelling errors or mistakes. It is highly recommended to perform "Building Model Check" progressively when building the model so that problems are identified early in the project before running an ...