The offset snap is used to draw partitions and voids parallel to existing walls and partitions at a fixed offset distance. This help topic describes the use of offset snap for drawing partitions, but the information is equally applicable to drawing voids at a fixed offset from the perimeter.
The offset snap check box is displayed under Direction snaps in the Drawing Options data panel when the Draw partitions command is active.
The offset snap can be used whenever a string of partitions is to be located at a fixed offset from a perimeter, but can be specifically applied to dividing large open plan spaces up into ‘perimeter’ and ‘core’ zones for thermal simulation.
When the offset snap is switched on, an additional Distance item will be displayed under the offset snap check box which allows you to define the offset distance. When you first switch on the offset snap, having clicked on the Draw partition icon, you will see offset snap indicators displayed as you move the cursor within the snap range of an existing wall or partition:
The offset snap works in conjunction with the other snaps and so, for example, you can start an offset partition at a fixed distance from the beginning of an existing wall using the edge snap in combination with the increment snap:
After placing the beginning of the partition, the ‘rubber-banded’ partition will be automatically snapped to the offset from the selected wall and as you move the cursor to the next connected wall segment, the offset snap indicator will appear again:
As you move the cursor, you will see that the offset snap interacts with other snaps allowing you to position partitions accurately. If you find that the other snaps are interfering with the offset snap, you can switch them off by pressing the SHIFT key.
Completed perimeter:
Note: The offset snap command prevents access to the normal end-point, mid-point and edge snaps. You must switch off offset snap to re-enable these.
Note: If you override the offset snap (by snapping to a drawing guide or edge), the offset snap has to be discontinued until the command (partition or void) is re-started.