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# ARRaycastQuery

A mathematical ray you use to find 3D positions on real-world surfaces.

```
class ARRaycastQuery
```

## Overview

You create a raycast query by providing a 3D vector and starting place.

To create a raycast query using a 2D screen location and default vector that casts outward in the z-direction from the user, use the convenience functions, <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/RealityKit/ARView/makeRaycastQuery(from:allowing:alignment:)> on <doc://com.apple.documentation/documentation/RealityKit/ARView>, or [`raycastQuery(from:allowing:alignment:)`](/documentation/ARKit/ARSCNView/raycastQuery(from:allowing:alignment:)) on [`ARSCNView`](/documentation/ARKit/ARSCNView).

Raycasts can intersect with planes (flat surfaces) or meshes (uneven surfaces). To intersect with planes, see [`ARRaycastQuery.Target`](/documentation/ARKit/ARRaycastQuery/Target-swift.enum). To intersect with meshes, see [`ARRaycastQuery.Target.estimatedPlane`](/documentation/ARKit/ARRaycastQuery/Target-swift.enum/estimatedPlane).

## Topics

### Creating a Raycast Query

[`init(origin:direction:allowing:alignment:)`](/documentation/ARKit/ARRaycastQuery/init(origin:direction:allowing:alignment:))

Creates a new raycast query.

### Specifying the Target

[`target`](/documentation/ARKit/ARRaycastQuery/target-swift.property)

A plane type that allows the raycast to terminate if it’s encountered.

[`ARRaycastQuery.Target`](/documentation/ARKit/ARRaycastQuery/Target-swift.enum)

The types of surface you allow a raycast to intersect with.

[`targetAlignment`](/documentation/ARKit/ARRaycastQuery/targetAlignment-swift.property)

The target’s alignment with respect to gravity.

[`ARRaycastQuery.TargetAlignment`](/documentation/ARKit/ARRaycastQuery/TargetAlignment-swift.enum)

A specification that indicates a target’s alignment with respect to gravity

### Interpreting the Ray

[`direction`](/documentation/ARKit/ARRaycastQuery/direction)

A vector that describes the ray’s trajectory in 3D space.

[`origin`](/documentation/ARKit/ARRaycastQuery/origin)

A 3D coordinate that defines the ray’s starting place.


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