When to use snapping

It is often difficult to quickly move the position and orientation of 3D models in order to sit adjacent or flush next to other 3D models. For example placing a medical device on top of a work bench in the interactive demo below.

Using our new snapping tools - available on our Windows and MacOS apps - you can now select an object and move it to another object using surface snapping, or vertex snapping to move them exactly where you want in a single click. Snapping is also now available when editing a custom pivot point inside a 3D model.

Snap to surface

Surface snapping works by connecting two surfaces together: a surface of the 3D model you want to move, and a surface of a 3D model where you want the model to move to. To use this feature follow these steps:

1. Open the object properties panel by clicking {icon-object-property-panel.svg}
2. Select the 3D model object or sub-object you want to move
3. Click on the surface-snapping button {icon-snap-face.svg}
4. Click on the surface of the object that you want to move, specifically where you want it intersect with the target (i.e. its base or side)
5. Then click the surface of the target object you want to snap it to.
6. Your object will move into position instantly.

Snap to vertex (point)

Vertex snapping connects two objects together based on their vertex points - for example the edge or a door to or point of a pin - similarly to how snap to surface works. To use this feature, follow these steps:

1. Open the object properties panel by clicking {icon-object-property-panel.svg}
2. Select the 3D model object or sub-object you want to move
3. Click on the vertex-snapping button {icon-snap-vertex.svg}
4. Click as close to the point of the object that you want to move where you want it intersect with the target. You can zoom, rotate, and pan around your objects while doing this.
5. Select the point of the target object you want to snap it to.
6. Your object will move into position instantly.

Step by step demo of snapping

Follow the interactive demo below to see how to use the snapping tool.

Edit point points with snapping

You can also snap to a surface or snap to vertex point when editing the pivot point origins of meshes to ensure the transformation and animation of your models are accurate and realistic.

We recommend trying the snapping in pivot points if you need to edit multiple models, as this will speed up this task.

Learn more about custom pivot points.

Ensure you have the latest version of JigSpace desktop app for Windows or Mac installed (3.35.0) to use these features. Download the latest JigSpace app here.