Snap-To-Grid not working on pasted Design Blocks

[chris_cummingsDT]

Our design uses a master design block for a flexible LED strip. We replicate the design block over and over to build out the strip. To help align the design blocks, which measure 37.5mm long by 15mm high, we set the grid to 7.5mm

The first DB inserted comes in on the grid lines, and can be slid into place just fine. The second block inserted is pasted off the grid lines, and nothing I do seems to get it to snap to the grid. CTRL-Left-Click does not work. Regular dragging snaps in grid size steps, but does not align to the grid lines.

I have read that the original origin offset seems to be stored with the object, and when considering all the components and other objects inside a design block, that is certainly needed. But the paradigm used in Word, Excel and so many other apps is that a group of items keeps offsets relative to the outline of the group, and the group can still snap to a grid.

At least I would think that the Align command would have Align to nearest Grid x and Align to nearest Grid Y or something along that concept.

Any insights on how to get grouped objects to align to a grid would really help. Thanks!!

@jorge_garcia  

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @chris_cummingsDT,

I hope you're doing well. Thank you for the picture, it's super helpful. I think the real issue here is that the block extends slightly past a multiple of 7.5mm. So if you try to snap it to grid it won't because the next block doesn't line up.

Unfortunately, not all of the constraints in normal Fusion have made it into the 2D PCB editor (some have, you'll see them working with the line command). For now, the best approach would be to use an alternative grid that would allow the blocks to line up correctly. 

Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,

[chris_cummingsDT]

Thanks, @jorge_garcia ! So the overlap is an interesting thought. I will try a slightly larger grid, as you suggest.

But when the Design Block comes in from the Insert function way off, is there any way to align it to the grid, or is that one of the constraint features you mention that might be coming soon? 

[chris_cummingsDT]

@jorge_garcia  I was also thinking that an "Align to Grid" command, if not yet implemented, could also allow the user to define edges or corners to snap to. For instance, "Align Upper Left Corner", "Align Upper Edge", "Align Center" or even "Align Arbitrary Point" where the user could establish a point in an object or group that should snap to a grid point.


I even wonder if we could get a system that would allow us to keep a Design Block as a grouped object where it is not possible to select internal components. The blocks could then be dropped haphazardly and the Align options that are already there, like Align Tops could be used.

In our very specific situation, which is probably not a great use case for the masses, each DB has to lay down with a slight overlap with the previous DB, so the edge fingers become a contiguous copper strip with no breaks.

 

[jorge_garcia · Accepted solution]

Hi @chris_cummingsDT,

I hope you're doing well. Thank you for this feed back, ideally with the inferencing engine supported in the Move command stuff like this will be easier.

We would also need a way to make Designblocks stay together as a unit, since that is not currently how they behave. Thank you for the feedback.

Best Regards,