Object Snap or Osnap for short, is an AutoCAD command primarily use to specify precise locations on objects, from your drawing. Therefore this command works to make your drawing more accurate and reliable. For example, you can use an object snap to draw a line to the center of a circle, or to the midpoint or endpoint of any polyline segment.

Object Snap Toolbar

By default, a marker and a tooltip are displayed whenever you move the cursor over an object in your drawing. And  from there you can specify a point, when AutoCAD prompt you for a point. To specify an Osnap at a  prompt for a point, you can press SHIFT, and right click to display the Object Snap shortcut menu list. Or click an Object Snap button on the Object Snap toolbar. Or you can just key-in the name of an Object Snap at the command prompt. Just remember that Object Snap works only when AutoCAD ask you for a point, from any command that’s in effect. An error message will be displayed if you try to use an Osnap at the command prompt.

Object Snap

Importance of Object Snap

So, what’s the importance of Object Snap? a question that every AutoCAD users should ask. Object Snap or Osnap is essential to us AutoCAD users, for this function helps us makes our drawing more reliable, more accurate and exact, when it comes to doing our work we’ve been assigned to. Without Osnap in AutoCAD, or without knowing  how to use this function your drawing will be more likely as a drawing without a real information.