Adobe Community: How do I turn off snapping to some sort of invisible grid in InDesign?

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1. Alec Molloy,

Aug 27, 2012 12:58 PM in reply to Pamaro22

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Have you tried turning off "Snap to Document Grid" already?

Also, what unit of measurement do you work in?

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2. Pamaro22,

Aug 27, 2012 1:08 PM in reply to Alec Molloy

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Thanks. "Snap to document grid" has been off so that's doesn't seem to be it. I'm now working in pixels but there is no change in the snapping when I change the units.

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3. Peter Spier,

Aug 27, 2012 1:27 PM in reply to Pamaro22

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Is it possibly snapping to another object?

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4. Pamaro22,

Aug 27, 2012 2:01 PM in reply to Peter Spier

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I'm at work and checking these suggestions as they come in on what I'm currently working on. I should say rechecking because I think I've tried everything but taking a second look makes me notice more specifics. Objects snap wherever they are on the document and at even increments. It doesn't depend on proximity to other objects or guides. It's like they're snapping to an invisible grid that's everywhere but, as I said previously, "snap to document grid" is definitely turned off.

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5. Peter Spier,

Aug 27, 2012 2:05 PM in reply to Pamaro22

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Does it also happen in a new file?

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6. Pamaro22,

Aug 27, 2012 2:23 PM in reply to Peter Spier

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Bingo, you're on to something. Just created a new and copied over some of the objects that were in the old file and it doesn't seem to be doing it. What does that mean? Something gone corrupt? It seems to happen in every file I open except this new one I just created.

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7. Alec Molloy,

Aug 27, 2012 2:26 PM in reply to Pamaro22

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Is it possible that you had pixels as your unit of measurement in the old document?

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8. Peter Spier,

Aug 27, 2012 2:36 PM in reply to Pamaro22

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OK, that'a a bit perplexing, but not impossible. Please recheck the old file to be sure snap to grid is not checked.

Is this a file from a previous version of ID, or converted from som other layout program?

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9. Pamaro22,

Aug 27, 2012 3:14 PM in reply to Peter Spier

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Alex, as I mentioned earlier I did have pixels as the units of measurement in my old document. Does choosing pixels create an automatic "snap-to" situation in the document?

Peter, snap to the grid was still turned off. In past situation for previous version of InDesign when some things in a document got corrupt, I was able to resolve the problem by pasting the stuff into a new document. I forget what the particular problems were but creating a new document and pasting stuff in it from the old document fixed it. Don't know if this is the case here.

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10. Alec Molloy,

Aug 27, 2012 3:22 PM in reply to Pamaro22

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Sorry, I totally missed that part of your answer.

Yes, if you have selected pixel as your unit of measurement, objects will snap to the pixel grid. It is entirely possible to have objects be placed outside of this grid, but when moving them around they will snap to the grid.

How did you go about changing the units of measurement for the document? If you aren't you should try (with rulers on) right clicking on the box in the top left hand corner where the rulers meet and selecting a different unit of measurement. I usually work in picas.

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11. Pamaro22,

Aug 27, 2012 9:33 PM in reply to Alec Molloy

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Alec, sorry I don't think you missed anything, I was mistaken: I don't think I did mention pixels earlier. I know a few ways to change the units of measurement. I most often use the right click method. It's the fastest.

I did a test and it is indeed the pixel unit issue. As you describe, objects snaps to the invisible "pixel grid" when pixels are chosen. This begs the question: When one is using pixels, is there a way to turn that grid off? Seems to me, if the dimensions of objects can measure in fractions of a pixel, how can I align two objects edge-to-edge when I'm snapping to whole pixels? Do I have to keep switch back and forth between different units of measurement? This is the problem I'm running into. By the way, I'm not creating web graphics but generating a layout in JPG format for a weekly HTLM email blast. Thanks so much for your help. Paul

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12. Alec Molloy,

Aug 27, 2012 9:38 PM in reply to Pamaro22

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Well I'm glad you resolved that. I'm not sure about that question though. Is there a reason that you need to have items not snap to the pixel grid? I feel like the grid is there for a good reason.

Does anyone else know of a workaround other than switching to other units?

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13. Peter Spier,

Aug 28, 2012 3:45 AM in reply to Alec Molloy

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I agree. If working in pixels there is an implication that all objects should have whole-pixel dimensions only and should sanp to the pixel grid since you cannot dispaly half a pixel or two pieces of different pixels in the same location on a screen.

That said, switching to points will get you exactly the same size realtionships in ID without the snapping.

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14. amaronee1,

Sep 1, 2012 10:28 PM in reply to Peter Spier

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Thanks, everyone, this ws a very interesting thread.

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15. bud_r,

Feb 21, 2013 9:59 AM in reply to Alec Molloy

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…Here I am, several months later experiencing the same problem. Based off this thread I can now change the unit of increment that an object snaps to. But I don't want my objects to snap to any increment. Is there any way to turn this feature off so my objects snap only to guides and/or the document grid?

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16. Alec Molloy,

Feb 21, 2013 10:39 AM in reply to bud_r

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Bud, the only unit that will cause elements to snap in increments is pixels. If you use picas or points you don't have to worry about this.

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17. bud_r,

Feb 21, 2013 11:20 AM in reply to Alec Molloy

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This is true in most of my documents, but there are a few floating around this office that snap to each corresponding unit, points, inches, or pixels. It's very strange. I'd love to find a way to turn this off without having to make a new document and pasting all the content in to it.

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18. Peter Spier,

Feb 21, 2013 2:22 PM in reply to bud_r

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Did you check to be sure snap to document grid is turned off?

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19. bud_r,

Feb 22, 2013 6:14 AM in reply to Peter Spier

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yes

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20. Peter Spier,

InDesign

How do I turn off snapping to some sort of invisible grid in InDesign?

Aug 27, 2012 12:55 PM

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