Using the Point to Point Move Tool


Reference Number: KB-00734
Last Modified: June 22, 2023

The information in this article applies to:

Chief Architect Premier or Chief Architect Interiors



QUESTION

I need a way to precisely move objects so that they snap to each other. 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 Move edit tool in combination with Object Snapping offers an easy and fast way to position objects precisely.

This article demonstrates how the Point to Point Move edit tool 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.

This tool can also be used on cabinets, stairs, fixtures, as well as a variety of other objects in the software.


To use the Point to Point Move edit tool

  1. Open a plan in which you would like to position objects precisely.  


  2. Focus on the area of the plan where the objects that you would like to position are located.

    Separate foundation objects

    •  If this a CAD detail, you may want to navigate to CAD> CAD Detail Management  from the menu and open the CAD Detail in which you are preparing your drawing. 


  3. Make sure that Object Snaps , particularly Endpoint  and Midpoint  snaps are enabled. This can be done by navigating to Edit> Snap Settings  from the menu, or accessing the Snap Properties panel of the Preferences dialog.  


  4. Using the Select Objects tool, click on the object that you would like to move, then click the Point to Point Move  edit tool.  

    In this example, the footing has been selected.


  5. Move your cursor over the edge of the selected object that you would like to move until you notice either an Endpoint or Midpoint   snap indicator. Click your left mouse button once at this location. This will be the point that the selected object will be moved about.

    In this example, we focused on the top edge of the footing and clicked on the Midpoint .

    Clicking on the midpoint location on the top edge of the footing


    Note: If you have difficulty getting the Midpoint or Endpoint snap indicators to display, turn off some of the other Object Snap types. 

  6. Next, move your cursor to the point that you would like the selected object to be moved to, then click a second time.

    In this example, we focused on the bottom edge of the stem wall and clicked on the Midpoint .

    Clicking on the Midpoint of the Stem Walls bottom edge


    By doing this, the program moved the footing so that the top edge is connected and centered on the bottom edge of the stem wall.

    Footing has been moved to be centered on the stem wall


  7. Perform the same procedure to move and connect any additional objects.

    In this example, we selected the sill plate and used the Point to Point Move edit tool to move the bottom left corner of the plate to the top left corner of the stem wall by utilizing the Endpoint snap indicator. .

    Moving the sill plate on top of the stem wall

You can also move objects so that they are centered between two other objects (or points) by utilizing the Center Object and Point to Point Center edit tools. Please access your program's Help Documentation to learn more.