Chief Architect Help Database - Article Number:  734

How to Use the Point to Point Move tool

The information in this article applies to:
  • Chief Architect X5
  • Chief Architect X4
  • Chief Architect X3
  • Chief Architect X2
  • Chief Architect X1
QUESTION

I am creating a detail drawing and need a way to precisely place the different components.  What is a fast and accurate way to do this?

ANSWER

Chief Architect provides a variety of tools to accurately dimension and position objects in your plans and drawings.  The Point to Point edit tool in combination with Object Snapping offers an easy and very fast way to position CAD objects precisely.
 
This article demonstrates how Point to Point Move can be used with two different Object Snapping behaviors to precisely position a footing, stem wall and treated sill plate in a foundation detail drawing.


 
To use Point to Point Move and Midpoint snapping
  1. Open a plan in which you would like to position CAD objects precisely.


  2. Select CAD> CAD Detail Management  from the menu and open the CAD Detail in which you are preparing your drawing.

    In Chief Architect 10, select CAD> CAD Detail.




  3. Make sure that Object Snaps  - particularly Endpoint  and Midpoint  snaps - are enabled.  This can be done by clicking the toggle buttons on the right side of the Chief Architect window or on the Snap Properties panel of the Preferences dialog.


  4. Click on the stem wall to select it, then click the Point to Point Move  edit button.


  5. Move your cursor over the bottom edge of the stem wall and notice the Midpoint  snap indicator that appears.  With this indicator visible, click your mouse button once.




    • If you have difficulty getting the Midpoint  snap indicator to display, turn off some of the other Object Snap types.


  6. Move your cursor over the top edge of the footing and again notice the Midpoint  indicator. 



  7. With the Midpoint indicator visible along the footing edge, click once more. 


  8. The stem wall will now be centered directly above the footing.





To use Point to Point Move and Endpoint snapping

  1. Click on the sill plate to select it, then click the Point to Point Move  edit button.


  2. Move your cursor over the bottom left corner of the sill plate and notice the Endpoint  snap indicator.  Click your mouse button once while this snap indicator is visible.




  3. Move your cursor over the top left corner of the stem wall and notice the Endpoint  indicator. 




  4. Click once more to move the sill plate so that its bottom corner meets the top corner of the stem wall.

     

Last updated on: Mar 29, 2013

The Chief Architect support team has compiled a list of articles with common questions and answers.


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