Can I snap to a point perpendicular to an existing line in BricsCAD?
Short Answer
Yes — in BricsCAD, you can snap to a point perpendicular to an existing line by using the LINE command with the Perpendicular object snap. The most common professional method is to start a line, choose your first point, then use Shift+right-click > Perpendicular on the target line. Limitation: it only works when the command accepts a point input.
What You Need to Know Before
Warning: Perpendicular snap can fail if you hover too close to an endpoint and BricsCAD picks Endpoint or Nearest instead. It also won’t give a valid result if the selected object type does not support a true perpendicular solution from your current point.
How to Do It
Command: LINE
Shortcut: L
Quick Steps:
- On the Home tab > Draw panel, start Line, then pick the first point.
- At the next point prompt, hold Shift + right-click and choose Perpendicular from the Object Snap menu.
- Hover over the existing line until the perpendicular marker appears, then click to place the point.
Use the running Object Snap toggle on the status bar carefully; if too many snaps are active, Perpendicular may be harder to acquire.
Variables & Settings
System Variable: OSMODE (Default: 4133)
Expert Setting: OSMODE controls active running object snaps. If Perpendicular is not enabled in running snaps, use Shift+right-click to force a one-time Perpendicular snap without changing your usual snap setup.
Why it Fails
- Cause 1 (Geometry): The current point does not produce a valid perpendicular solution to the selected object, or you are snapping to an unsupported object segment.
- Cause 2 (layers/Locks): The target line is on a locked layer or inside a reference/editing state that prevents the point from being selected as expected.
- Cause 3 (Command/Logic): You are not inside a command that is asking for a point, so Perpendicular osnap cannot be applied.
Quick Fix & Best Practice
- Quick Fix: Start LINE, pick the first point first, then use Shift+right-click > Perpendicular instead of relying on running osnaps alone.
- Manager’s Verdict: Use one-time Perpendicular snap for clean, controlled drafting. Avoid leaving too many running osnaps active in production drawings, because snap conflicts slow down placement and cause wrong picks.
FAQ
Can I use Perpendicular snap without drawing a line?
Yes, but only during a command that is actively requesting a point.
Does Perpendicular work on polylines?
Yes, if BricsCAD can detect a valid segment to snap perpendicular to.
Why does bricscad snap to Endpoint instead of Perpendicular?
Because another osnap is being acquired first; use Shift+right-click > Perpendicular to force it.
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