Snapping in LightBurn: Align with Precision

Master Object and Grid Snapping for Accurate Designs

LightBurn’s Snapping tools automatically align objects to shapes or grid points in your Workspace. When objects move close to valid locations, they snap into place, ensuring precise alignment.

As you hover your cursor over an object, the icon changes to indicate specific snapping points such as nodes, lines, midpoints, centers, or intersections.

Object Snapping

Snapping Points and Icons

Snapping Point	Description
Node	Over a node in a vector graphic or the corner of an image.
Midpoint	Over the halfway point between two nodes.
Center	Over the center of an object.
Intersection	Over the intersection of two lines.
Line	Over a line (not at a node, midpoint, or intersection).

How Snapping Works

1. Moving to Snapping Points

   • Move objects near a snapping point to automatically align.
   • The cursor icon changes to indicate the snapping point type.
   

2. Adjusting Snap Distance

   • Modify how close your cursor must be for snapping in the Units and Grids tab in the Settings window.
   • Distance is measured in pixels; when within range, snapping activates.

Using Snapping Points

Selecting and Moving from Snapping Points

• Click and drag objects directly from a snapping point.

• To move multiple objects, group them or select all at once.

Creating Objects from Snapping Points

• When drawing lines or shapes, your cursor snaps to points for precise placement.
• Use snapping to begin new lines or shapes exactly at desired points.

Grid Snapping

• Automatically aligns your cursor to nearby grid corners when moving or creating objects.
• Grid snapping behavior is controlled by the Grid Snap Distance setting in the Settings window.

Note:

• Grid Snap Distance determines snapping points (e.g., 1 mm grid).
• Visual Grid Spacing affects the appearance of the grid but not snapping behavior.

Keyboard Modifiers

• Alt/Option: Makes snapping “stickier,” allowing objects to align from further away.
  • Activates Alignment Guides, temporary visual indicators for edge or center alignment.
• Ctrl/Cmd: Toggles snapping on or off while held.
  • By default, disables snapping. If snapping is off in the settings, this enables it temporarily.

Tips for Using Snapping

1. Adjust Snap Distance
   Fine-tune snapping sensitivity in the Settings window to match your design needs.

2. Enable Alignment Guides
   Use Alt/Option for additional visual indicators to perfect object alignment.

3. Combine Snap to Grid and Snap to Objects
   Use both types of snapping for optimal control over object placement and alignment.

Mastering LightBurn’s snapping tools ensures precision and efficiency in your designs, saving time and improving accuracy.