Hadn't hear the holding Shift allows free placement. Worth a try.

IT appears to be the default behavior. Past certain angles, parts will snap to half overlapping position every time, and require ladders and platforms with a view of the end of the previous part to get a full width snap.

They *should* only do that if something nearby is already snapped to the halfway point, giving them a nearer alternative to lock onto. There's no default mid-way snap except for things like the edges of 2x2 doors and the centre point of X beams, it's actually kind of a pain when you want to centre something like a post in the middle of a floor tile or a door / window / metal support halfway through a stone wall.

I understand that the overlap property is useful in some advanced effects. It should not be the default behavior of the build system, as it probably doubles or triples the time needed to build regular structures. I'm constantly fighting the build system, instead of "letting my imagination flow".

No, it shouldn't be the default behaviour, which is probably why it isn't. In general it will only snap a very specific subset of overlapping pieces into place, and then only two pieces overlapping at a time. (Eg: stone arches atop doors and windows) The advanced techniques require forcing it by holding shift and placing things freehand.

It would definitely help if there were more 1x1 pieces though.

i love clipping. it opens up so many building possibilities. just let your imagination have free reign...

here's a pic with the tarred wood piece as an accent over my door. with a variation of steps and banister on the bridge:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2617970990

here's an example using it to make a more interesting floor. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2452828269

i got a neat effect of 'wings' with my roof: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2455083811

clipping to make a roof: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2543523043

clipping to inset item stands into chairs, also with the stairs on the dias: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2539101120

Originally posted by jjrobinson2:

There is no circumstance I can imagine in which a reasonable player would want a part to half-overlap a previous part

... have you seen anyone's Valheim builds like ever?

The only problem with building in this game is the forced build area around a workbench. I shouldn't have to build dozens of workbenches throughout the world. This game needs to be more like Conan Exiles where all you need is a mandatory one and only have to build more because you don't want to travel miles to repair tools.

What, like when you want to build a section of arched roof but the game thinks you want to build it IN the other roof piece instead of connecting the edges? Or a pole inside a pole rather than underneath it to stabilize it? Or a stone floor or wall piece that you want to connect edges with but the game thinks you want to build it half in the other one instead?

Yeah, I hate all those things. Not sure what the other guys in this thread are on about, but I know exactly what I keep being aggravated by. It's a questionable design choice that someone on quality assurance would have been logical to point out that it might not be well-received.

In short, don't tell me how to build or limit my creativity.

I often need to place roof halfs within another roof part, because of my stone chimney. And I often place half of an angled beam within another, because my roof usually overlap half one roof part.

So, yes, there are definitely uses for that technique. You just need to learn how to use it.

flooring... up to a curved wall section in the absence of non square floor pieces

anything round needs to overlap. the snapto could be better but half the ability to make nice looking things requires overlap/embedding.

Putting 2m wide roof over 1m wide floor? That did not take much imagination on my part.