Snaping to the center of a hole - 3D symbol

[Mike Rock]

I am missing something in my workflow for making symbols. 

 

My goal is to have a 3D symbol of a pipe with several holes in. The holes would allow me to snap to the center to help place hardware in other steps. 

 

My current process is to make a circle to represent the pipe, and then extrude it to the length I need. To make the holes I make some more circles, extrude them to be deeper than the pipe and subtract the holes from the pipe. I am then able to snape to the midpoint on the permitter of the hole but not the center. 

I feel like I am missing something basic - any advice? 

[Tom W.]

You can include 3D Loci in the symbol for snapping to...? Place them in NonPlot class so can easily hide when you don't want to see them.

Edited April 4, 2025 by Tom W.

[Mike Rock]

That is an option, a bit of a pain and looking at the symbol for "Global Truss U-Torm 100" it seems possible to do what I want with a generic solid, the flange at the top allows for snaping to the center of the hole.

[JustinVanHassel]

In content, when we want to guarantee snapping in empty areas we use 3D loci converted to Master Snaps. They are invisible by design but are an easier snap to find than standard snapping and you get a nice red highlight when you are hovering over them to connect.

[Mike Rock]

That was the ticket! 
For the next person struggle with this -

A master snap point can be created when editing a group, setting the location by adding a 2D and/or 3D locus where priority snapping should occur, when enabled in the Snap to Object tool (see Snapping to an object). In the Object Info palette of the selected locus, select Master Snap Point. If the master snap point is in an obscure location and you want it to always display when the snap box is over the group, select Show Master Snap Point Outside Snap Box.

[Elite Exhibits]

On 4/4/2025 at 3:22 PM, JustinVanHassel said:

They are invisible by design

@JustinVanHassel what is the logic for the invisiblity ?

 

 

Peter

[JustinVanHassel]

@Elite ExhibitsThe logic of the invisibility is less document clutter. Imagine a decorative wall built for an event made of modular tiles that can connect to each other at each corner or at 1/4 distance mark along each side. That is 16 possible snapping locations per panel. Imagine if you have a wall that is 10 panels wide by five panels tall and you now have 800 snap locations in the drawing. If each snap were a 3D loci that was visible that is a lot of visual clutter, especially in Wireframe if your settings are set to show 3D Loci in that view mode. By turning them into Master Snaps and making them invisible you get the benefit of enhanced and prioritized snapping that is easier for the program to find without the visual clutter.