Grid System
The grid provides a visual reference across the canvas. Enable Grid Snap to constrain all movements and drawing operations to grid intersections.
The grid is a visual overlay of evenly spaced lines across the 2D canvas. It helps you draw and align objects at regular intervals. Grid Snap is separate from Object Snap — you can have grid lines visible without snapping to them, or enable snap without showing the grid.
Accessing grid settings
Grid settings are in the snap/grid controls section of the status bar at the bottom of the screen. Click the grid icon to open the snap and grid settings panel.
Grid size
The grid size setting controls the spacing between grid lines. The default is 1 metre (or 1 foot in imperial projects). You can change it to any positive value. At higher zoom levels the grid subdivides automatically so ticks always remain legible.
Grid Snap
Grid Snap is off by default. When enabled, all mouse moves, drawing clicks, and drag operations snap to the nearest grid intersection. This makes it easy to create objects at exact intervals. Grid Snap works alongside Object Snap — both can be active simultaneously.
Turn on Grid Snap
Turn on Grid Snap in the Snap tab. When active, every drawing click, node drag, and object move snaps to the nearest grid point at the chosen grid spacing. Grid Snap requires the master Snapping switch to be on.
Combine Grid Snap with Object Snap
Grid Snap and Object Snap can both be active at the same time. When both are on, the snap engine prefers object snap points (endpoints, midpoints, centers) when a geometry snap is close enough, then falls back to the grid. This lets you connect elements to existing geometry while still benefiting from grid alignment everywhere else.
Temporarily override snapping
Hold Alt while drawing or dragging to temporarily suspend all snap constraints, including Grid Snap. Releasing Alt restores snapping immediately. Use this to nudge an object to a precise freeform position without having to toggle Grid Snap off and back on.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Hold Alt | Temporarily disable all snapping |
Grid Snap is off by default so freeform drawing feels fluid. Turn it on for tasks that need regular spacing — tiled paving, evenly spaced planters, or modular deck boards — then turn it off again when you move to organic shapes.
The grid spacing is stored per drawing, not globally. If you open a drawing that was set up with a 500 mm grid and your new drawing defaults to 1 m, each drawing remembers its own spacing independently.
Leaving Grid Snap on while placing plants or editing bezier curves can pull control points away from the positions you intend. Disable Grid Snap when doing organic or free-form design work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my cursor not snapping to the grid?
Check two things: first, confirm that Grid Snap is turned on in the Snap tab (showing the grid is a separate setting). Second, make sure the master Snapping switch is on — turning it off disables all individual snap settings, including Grid Snap. Also check you are not holding Alt, which temporarily suspends snapping while held.
How do I display the grid as a visual reference without snapping to it?
Turn on Show Grid in the Display tab while leaving Grid Snap turned off in the Snap tab. The grid lines appear on the canvas as a visual guide but the cursor moves freely without being pulled to grid points. This is useful when you want a spatial reference but need freeform positioning.
Can I change the grid spacing mid-drawing?
Yes. Open Settings, pick a different Grid Size from the dropdown, and the new spacing takes effect immediately. Existing objects are not moved — only future clicks and drags snap to the new interval. You can change the spacing as many times as you like within a session.
What is the difference between major and minor grid lines?
The visual grid renders thin minor lines with a heavier major line every few cells, so you can count multiples at a glance. The line density and the spacing between major lines adapt to your zoom level, staying legible whether you are viewing the whole garden or working on fine detail.
Does Grid Snap work in 3D view?
Grid Snap and the grid overlay are 2D editor features. In the 3D editor, positioning uses Object Snap against scene geometry and the active workplane rather than a flat grid. Switch back to the 2D editor if you need grid-aligned placement.