Grids

A non-printing, non-exporting grid can be displayed in order to help you to create interesting and well-constructed page layouts.

Grids

The grid is overlaid over your page to help you align objects. They are gray by default but can be any color you choose.

Grids default to the applied master page or spread grid settings but can be overridden by selecting a page or facing page spread and tweaking settings in the Grid and Snapping Axis dialog (View>Grid and Axis). Optionally, a grid can be applied to an individual page or spread which doesn't use master pages.

Grids can be automatic or fixed—the former (as default) changes the frequency of grid subdivisions as you zoom in/zoom out, the latter always keeps the grid frequency constant (irrespective of zoom level).

Grids work best when combined with snapping, in particular when the Snap to Grid option is enabled. They can be based on any document unit and will line up perfectly with rulers (when switched on).

To show or hide the automatic grid:
Zoom Tool To adjust automatic grid spacing:

With the Zoom Tool selected, do one of the following:

At all zoom levels the grid shows as grid 'blocks' further split into grid subdivisions.

To create a fixed square grid:
  1. From the View menu, select Grid and Axis.
  2. Select Basic mode.
  3. Set the Spacing and Divisions values.
  4. Click Close.
To customize grid color/opacity:
  1. From the View menu, select Grid and Axis.
  2. Click the Grid lines or Subdivision lines swatch to display a pop-up panel to set the line color(s).
  3. Drag the sliders to set the opacity of either, or both, line colors.
  4. Click Close.
To create a rectangular grid:
  1. From the View menu, select Grid and Axis.
  2. Select Advanced and uncheck Uniform.
  3. Do one of the following:
    • Set the Spacing and Divisions for the first and second axis.
    • Select Fixed aspect ratio, set the Spacing and Divisions for the first axis and then set the Aspect ratio and Divisions for the second axis.
  4. Click Close.
To create a fixed angular grid:
  1. From the View menu, select Grid and Axis.
  2. Select Advanced.
  3. From the Grid type pop-up menu, select Two axis custom.
  4. Set the Angle of either axis.
  5. Click Close.

Presets

To make grid setup quick and easy, one of several grid presets can be chosen depending on how you plan to work (e.g., for UI design, image placement, etc.).

To select a preset:
  1. From the View menu, select Grid and Axis.
  2. From the Preset pop-up menu, select a preset.
To customize a preset:
  1. From the View menu, select Grid and Axis.
  2. Select a preset on which to base your new grid options.
  3. Check individual options on/off to override the current preset's options.

The options will be in effect immediately.

Presets menu To save as a custom preset for future use:
  1. Click panel Preferences adjacent to the Preset pop-up menu.
  2. Select Create preset.

The custom preset is in effect immediately.

Presets menu To manage grid presets:
  1. On the Grid and Axis dialog, choose a preset or create your own.
  2. Click Panel Preferences.
  3. Select Set as Default or Clear Default, as required.

About pixel grid

When working with images at large magnification levels, zooming in an undetermined amount, a pixel grid serves as a handy visual aid. Pixel art and working with object detail are just a couple of examples of its use. A different grid color can also aid work where there is little color variance in the image.

To create a pixel grid:
  1. From the View menu, do one of the following:
    • Select Show Pixel Grid.
    • Select Grid and Axis. In the dialog, check Show pixel grid.
  2. Optionally, for the latter option, modify Pixel grid lines color for better grid visibility.

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