Tech Tip: How to Use Snap Mode for Mates in Onshape

Snap mode mating is a quick and powerful way to get parts inserted and mated to your assembly in one go. You’ve likely used it without realizing any time you insert a part for standard content, but you can define and use it for any component.

Snap mode mating has been around for quite a while in Onshape, but it’s been a little bit since we talked about it, so today’s Tech Tip is a refresher.

The Snap Mode Mating Setup

Standard content instances already have Snap mode mating set up, which is what makes them so satisfyingly pop into place. However, when defining your own components, there’s some extra setup you’ll need to do for Snap mode mating to work: define a mate connector!

Define at least one mate connector in the Part Studio, which corresponds to where on the part you’d typically want it mated. That’s it!

Snap Mode Mating from the Insert Dialog

Before invoking the Insert dialog, simply turn on Snap mode from the assembly toolbar.

Open the Insert dialog, and select your part. As you hover in the graphics area, Snap mode will jump into action to snap the mate connector you created in the part to other implicit mate connectors in the assembly.

There are three shortcuts to remember that are the keys to success:

1. The “a” key: Flips primary axis alignment. Use this if the part is snapping into place, but “upside down.”
2. The “q” key: Reorients the secondary axis (rotates the part by 90 degrees).
3. The Shift key: “Freezes” the current selection of mate connectors, as shown on screen, making it easier to select a specific one.

That’s all there is to it. Now you can get to Snap mode mating your parts into place!

Snap Mode Mating After a Part Has Been Inserted

If I’ve already inserted the part, can I still use Snap mode? You sure can!

Enable Snap mode, and simply click and drag your part into place on screen. The same shortcuts highlighted above can be used to orient the part correctly.

Check out the video below to see this Tech Tip in action.

Read more about Snap mode mating in Onshape or using Mate Connectors in Onshape Assemblies in our help documentation.