Snapping
While dragging, an object snaps to nearby targets: a grid line, a guide line, a special point on another object, a free track end.
Configuring snapping
The magnet icon in the top-left corner of the rulers opens the window for snapping and grid:
| Toggle | Effect |
|---|---|
| Snap to Grid | to the nearest grid line |
| Snap to Guide Lines | to the nearest guide line |
| Snap to Special Points | to corners, endpoints and midpoints of other objects, and to free track connectors |
| Snap direction | also adopts the target's orientation |
| Snap to Ground | places the dragged object on whatever lies under the pointer |
The magnet icon only exists in the 2D view, and only while the rulers are on. The settings still apply everywhere, though; the path that's always open is Settings, group Snapping. That's also where the snap distance is.
Snap distance counts in screen pixels
The further you're zoomed out, the more of the plan the same range covers. If a click misses the target you meant, zoom in closer.
If several targets are in range, Raily decides per axis, separately: guide lines before grid before points and connectors.
Snap to Ground
The other toggles decide where on the map an object lands; this one decides how high: on the topmost surface under the pointer, be it terrain, a roof, or a bridge. It's on by default and also applies when placing an object. Without it, an object arrives at the height of the work plane — inside a mountain, for instance, right in the middle of it.
The ground has no say when something else already holds the object (a track, a wall), when you're dragging on a tilted work plane, or when you turn off snapping with Shift.
Keys while dragging
| Key | Effect |
|---|---|
| Shift | Turns off all snapping. Move the object first, then press Shift — otherwise the view rotates |
| Ctrl | turns off Snap direction only |
| Alt | forces fixed angles |
| Shift+Alt | prevents a connection from forming when you drop |
On tablet, there are toggles for this in the upper toolbar; see Conventions. They latch on, unlike a held key.
Surfaces and track
- A window, door, balcony, and a lamp on a wall bracket snap only to surfaces. Point at the wall, not next to it.
- A pole, signal, and track annotation snap to the track and remember it: move the track and they follow. The side is decided by the pointer when you drop it. Pulled far enough away, the binding lets go.
Highlight snap points on selection, in Settings, shows the point that the next drag would use.