Snapping lets you easily align objects with each other when moving, resizing, or drawing an object. As the selected object nears a snap target, it automatically jumps to that point.
Toggle whether snapping is active by selecting View > Snap in the top menu.
To control the distance at which snapping triggers, set the Threshold in your preferences.
Snapping modes for objects
Customize what triggers snapping by switching on or off the snapping modes listed below. You can check or uncheck each snapping mode in the preferences dialog (Edit > Preferences... > Design view) or in the View > Snap to menu.
Parents and siblings only
Enable this option if you want only sibling elements and the parent element to trigger snapping. Otherwise, you'll snap to any visible objects on the stage.
If you have nested elements, it may be helpful to use the Outliner panel to see which elements are sibling elements.
Grid
When the 3D grid is visible, position the selected object along a grid line or centered around a grid line.
Objects
Position the selected object directly against the edge, corner, or centerpoint of another object.
Alignment
Align the selected object so that it's lined up with the edges or centerpoint of another object.
Guides
When ruler guides are visible, position the selected object along a guide or centered around a guide.
Equal size
Size the selected object so that it's the same width or height as another object.
Equal spacing
Position the selected object so that it and two other objects are spaced the same distance from each other. The three objects must be positioned so that a single vertical or horizontal line can pass through them all, but they don't overlap.
Snapping for multiple selected objects
If you select more than one object, the selection boundary box will be treated as the object to snap.
Snapping in 3D space
Support for snapping in three-dimensional space depends on the snapping mode.
- Works with 3D objects (while holding the Control key)
- Objects
- Works with objects on the same plane as the parent element (no relative z-translation or z-rotation)
- Grid
- Alignment
- Equal size
- Equal spacing
- Works only when the parent element is on the same plane as the stage (no z-translation or z-rotation)
- Rulers
Snapping in the timeline
The Advanced mode timeline supports snapping in the timeline. You can toggle this option by clicking the Settings button in the timeline, then selecting Snap to timeline grid. This lets you more easily align the following with each other:
- keyframes
- event markers
- event labels
- visibility ranges
- the preview range
- the playhead
Video ads and animated GIFs
For video ads and animated GIFs, you can toggle the option to Snap to objects in the timeline settings. When this option is selected, you can more easily align the following with each other:
- clips
- transitions
- keyframes
- visibility ranges
- the preview range
- the playhead