Snap Points with the Autopilot

The HiCAD Autopilot is a tool for defining points. If you move the cursor over the drawing objects while the Autopilot is switched on, information is displayed about snappable points (snap symbols) and, for various functions, about lines, dimensions or texts. Whenever HiCAD requests a point specification, these snappable points can be applied directly without having to activate a point option.

The Autopilot is switched on by default. If HiCAD requests a point specification, the cursor is displayed as a crosshairs with a snap circle. If you want to apply a snappable point directly, place the cursor near this point. If the Autopilot has found the point, a corresponding symbol is displayed next to the cursor:

If you want to take over a snappablepoint directly, place the cursor near this point. Once the Autopilot has found the point, a corresponding symbol will be displayed next to the cursor.

Snappable points include:

	End points (I)
	Mid points (M)
	Theoretical intersection points (S2)
	Genuine intersection points (S)
	Centres of arcs or circles (Z)
	Perpendicular base points ((F)
	Tangential points (T)
	Isolated points (J)
	Quad points (QP)
	On-line points (O)

The found points and the original geometry relevant for point specification are highlighted in a different colour (Special colour, Marking 1), e.g. the circle for quad points, the arc/circle for centres, or the line for mid points:

Simply left-click to apply a snap point. You activate the Point Options menu by (left) double-clicking or by pressing the Return key.

To define the size of the snap radius, open the Configuration Editor (ISDConfigEditor.exe) and select ... > System settings > Identification > Snap radius (Default = 2 mm).

 

Autopilot Settings

The Autopilot Settings toolbar at the bottom of the HiCAD user interface can now be used to control which points the Autopilot offers as snap points. Switching is possible at any time - even during the execution of a function. In the toolbar the possible snap points are highlighted in colour.

Using this bar you can control which point options should be visible on the Autopilot by activating / deactivating the symbols. For example, if you click on , the snapping of isolated points is deactivated.

The currently selected Autopilot settings apply to the active HiCAD session. Which settings should be active when restarting HiCAD can be defined in Configuration Editor at System settings > Identification with the parameter List of point snap options.

The ISD default setting is JISMTZFQOS2, i.e. snap points are isolated points, end points, genuine intersection points, centre points, tangential points, centroids, perpendicular base points, quad points, on-line points and theoretical intersection points.

If you click on the symbol in the Autopilot Settings toolbar, the settings from the Configuration Editor are restored to defaults.

 

Please note:

• The Autopilot Settings apply to 2-D and 3-D point options.
• Point options that are deactivated from the active function cannot be activated in the Autopilot Settings either.
• The Autopilot Settings toolbar can be activated/deactivated via Settings > Toolbars.

 

Switch Autopilot on/off

To switch the Autopilot off, proceed as follows:

1. Place the cursor at any position outside a snap point.
2. Activate the Point options menu by double-clicking (left mouse button).
3. Click Settings .
4. Select the Snap radius Off function.

 

To switch the Autopilot on again,

1. Place the cursor at any position outside a snap point.
2. Activate the Point options menu by double-clicking (left).
3. Call the Settings pop-up menu.
4. Select the Snap radius Onfunction.

Point Option Overview • Basic Settings • Intelligent Cursor and Object Snap