Ai 2020 - Objects Paths not snapping to guides

[varxtis]

Ai 2020 - Most threads addressing this subject are based on older versions of Ai (2013 etc), so in order not to get info based on older versions, in case the newer version tweaked stuff, Im posting this new thread.

Ive made a various guides, initially just ruler based guides, but also Polar Grids by going to View > Guides > Make Guides. As much as it's it's a pain in butt to FINALLY get a object/layer that I want to move (see my other post about selecting/moving) the object/layers rarely snap to grid, which I have checked under view. Then, after an hour of struggling to get four objects to snap to guides in order to map a symetrical pattern (like making a snowflake) I notive there are still gaps. All the paths ar straight. Supposedly they are snapped together by the grids, but when I zoom in somewhere around 4800% and closer, the shapes/objects are as much as 4pts away from the guides.

What am I doing wrong? I am trying hard to find a free screen recording app so I can demonstrate what I mean, and show you the settings I have, but Im not finding much. Wil update post if I can find something.

Any help would be deeply appreciated.

[tromboniator · Accepted solution]

If you are trying to snap to guides, turn off Snap to Grid. Turn on Smart Guides. Hold down the cmd/ctrl key, and with the Selection Tool or the Group Selection Tool click and drag the anchor point (or other location on the path) that you want to align to the chosen spot on the guide. Smart Guides will show the word Guide when the two points are aligned.

Unless the chosen alignment spot on the guide corresponds to a grid intersection, it will be difficult or impossible to get the alignment you want.

Peter

[varxtis]

Thank you so very much for your quick response and help!! I think it was the Cntrl button that helps the most. Also, I did have "Snap to point" enabled. I was under the impressiong athat since you can enable multiple "Snap to" options, that it would do it in priority of what the selected shape/edge is closest to. When dealing with guides, do they have to be at the foremost front? I was still having a tricky time until I cut the Polor Grid guide I created, as well as line guides made from the ruler, and pasted them into their own layer.