If you have used the spot co-ordinate tool to create setting-out drawings with Northings & Eastings, you will have noticed that it doesnt pick everything you select.

Columns are a particular problem as it wont snap to the intersection or insertion point unless there is a corner of some gemoetry in that location.

Start by placing a column in you drawing.  In this example I placed one on-grid and one off-grid to demonstrate that the co-ordinates are not snapping to the grid intersection.  

Go to the Drafting Tab on the Design Bar and choose Spot Dimension > Spot Co-ordinate

Try and place a co-ordinate at the centre of the column.  Notice that you cannot snap to the centre or intersection of the column.

Open the visibility/graphics dialogue box and navigate down to Structural Columns on the Modelling Tab.  You need to turn on sub category called Analytical Model.  Before you can do this you must first check the box below 'Show categories from all disciplines'.  You will now see the Analytical Model check box. Turn this on and click OK to exit the dialogue box.

A circle is now visible in plan for each of the columns.  Use the Spot Co-ordinate tool again and hover over the centre of the circle.  Notice this timeit will allow you to select the node point on the column.  You can now add co-ordinates for your columns accurately!

If you have any other suggestions for adding spot co-ordinates to columns or other elements, please leave comments in the box below.