Set up and use smart guides

I'm preparing a poster and need precise alignment across many elements. Turn on smart guides and make sure they are configured to snap to anchor points, paths, and intersections. While working, show measurement tooltips when moving objects and enable temporary snapping to key objects so I can nudge elements to match type baseline and illustration anchors exactly.

Before I hand this file to junior designers, make smart guides easier to use: surface how the guides will snap — anchors, paths, intersections — and add a quick note on the file explaining the hotkeys for temporary snapping and nudging. Flag any complex grouped objects that commonly defeat smart guides so reviewers know where manual alignment will be needed.

I turned on smart guides to align elements on a busy poster but they keep skipping anchor points and only snap to bounding boxes. The layout deadline is today and I can't tell if it's a setting, a grouping issue, or a corrupted object. What is the most likely cause, what quick checks should I run now, and what change will restore consistent snapping immediately?

Across projects my team wastes hours nudging things into place because smart guides fail on complex grouped or clipped elements. Where should I change our habits — file construction, grouping policy, or preferred alignment tools — and what single rule will reduce rework and keep alignment reliable?