After you import a PDF, image or CAD file, it sits on the canvas as a reference you can select, reorder, fade and trace over. Use this article when you're working with several overlapping references or drawing your design on top of an existing plan.

Select an import

When imports overlap, Snaptrude selects them in stacking order. The most recently imported item is on top and is selected first. The stacking order is saved with your project, so it's the same the next time you open it.

Click the import on the canvas. Snaptrude selects the topmost import at that point.
To reach an import underneath, press Tab. Each press moves to the next import down the stack.

Select several imports with a selection box

Drag a selection box across the canvas. The direction you drag decides what gets selected:

Left to right (enclosure): selects only imports that are fully inside the box.
Right to left (crossing): selects any import that partly overlaps the box.

Tip: This is the same convention used in AutoCAD and most other CAD tools.

Change which import is on top

Right-click the import you want to move.
In the Right-click menu, choose Bring to Front to move it to the top of the stack, or Send to Back to move it behind all other imports.

The menu only shows the option that applies. For example, you won't see Bring to Front if the import is already on top. Tab cycling follows the same stacking order.

Tip: If you're tracing one reference in particular, bring it to the front so a single click always selects it, with no cycling through other imports.

Adjust an import's opacity

Imports come in at 50% opacity by default, so the reference is visible without overpowering your design.

Select the import on the canvas.
Open the Properties tab in the right panel.
Use the Opacity control to make the import more or less visible.

Trace over an import

Imports stay visible while you draw. Spaces, site elements, slabs, roofs, ceilings and other geometry you draw on top won't hide your reference. The import stays at the base of the story but is displayed so it's always visible, and you can still select and edit the new geometry above it.

Select the import and lower its opacity if it feels too strong. Around 30 to 50% usually works well for tracing.
Choose a drawing tool and draw over the reference as usual.
If several imports overlap, use Bring to Front on the one you're tracing so a single click selects it.

Tips

Imports belong to a layer, like other objects. Keeping references on their own layer lets you control their visibility from Layers in the left panel.
For CAD files, the CAD Tracer lets you trace over an imported drawing, including the shadow of a lower story's CAD file while you work on an upper story.
You can't move a CAD, PDF or image import to another story with the Story field in the Properties panel.
Imported PDFs, images and CAD files can't be duplicated across design proposals.

Quick reference

Action	How
Select the top import	Click
Select the next import down	`Tab`
Select fully enclosed imports	Drag left to right
Select touching imports	Drag right to left
Reorder	Right-click, then Bring to Front or Send to Back
Change visibility	Properties panel, Opacity (default 50%)

Importing PDFs, images and CAD files
Selecting objects
Layers Panel
Design Proposals
Keyboard Shortcuts

Working with Imports on Canvas