Adding sketches to your matter is a great way to show additional detail on the map & present more information to your client. However, a fully freehand sketch can be inaccurate and lead to confusion. Use the snapping function on Orbital Witness in order to have sketches snap & trace to key map features such as title boundaries.
How can I turn snapping on?
Once a sketch is created, you can turn snapping on using the "Snap Sketch To:" button shown below.
The current options for snapping are:
None: Your sketch won't snap to anything on the map and is a fully freehand sketch created by the points you place.
My title boundaries: Your sketch will snap to visible title boundaries that have been added to your matter. Useful for when you want to trace the outline of a particularly complex title boundary.
Other sketches: Your sketch will snap to other sketches you have previously created.
How does snapping work?
For a full guide of how snapping works, watch our video below.
💡 Have anything else you would like to snap to? Let us know using the chat icon in the bottom right.
For a text guide, see below:
Create your sketch and select your snapping option using the "Snap Sketch To:" button. In this example, we'll be snapping to "My title boundaries".
Place the first point by clicking on the map. I'll be placing it on the title boundary to start tracing my boundary. You should notice your cursor snapping to the boundary in order to help you get this on the boundary.
Note: You could also start your sketch not on the boundary and snap on to the boundary at a later point
Start tracing the boundary by moving your cursor in the direction you would like the sketch to go. You'll notice the sketch will simply follow the title boundary you are tracing / snapping to. Note: You do not need to click at this point - simply move your cursor in the direction you would like to go.
If you would like to stop snapping / tracing (i.e. you want to now deviate from the boundary), simply click to stop tracing.
Place your new un-snapped points as you normally would with a sketch by simply placing points on the map.
If you would like to start snapping / tracing again or snap to another boundary, simply move your cursor to the boundary you would like to snap to and click to place a point.
You are now tracing the boundary again as in step 3, again move the cursor in the direction you would like to go without clicking. If you want to stop tracing, simply click as you did in step 4.
Complete your sketch by joining your last point to your first point and clicking
You can now style your sketch as usual!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why does my sketch not stay snapped to my title boundary?
It's likely that you're clicking, causing the sketch to enter 'Freehand Mode'. While you are snapping to a boundary, you do not need to click, you can simply move your cursor in the direction of the boundary you would like to go. Try watching our video above for further guidance and reach out if you have any questions.
Why can't I snap to features on the map such as roads or buildings?
This is a future snapping iteration we're considering, please let us know if you would find this useful!
Can I snap to unregistered land or titles not in my matter?
Currently snapping to 'My title boundaries' only works with titles that are in your matter and have their visibility turned ON.
How do I snap to multiple title boundaries?
To change which title boundary your sketch is currently snapping to, simply click and then move your pointer to the new boundary you would like to snap to. Once you have got to this boundary, click and you will re-enter snapping mode but this time on the correct title boundary.
Still have questions?
If you're struggling with the snapping functionality, please reach out to us using the chat icon in the bottom right of you're screen, we will be happy to help.