Grid
Grid points help with the graphical input in the work plane. When nodes are defined graphically, the pointer snaps to the grid points.
The properties of the grid points are also managed in the Work Plane and Grid/Snap dialog box. To open the dialog box, select the menu entry
- Tools → Work Plane, Grid/Snap, Object Snap, Guidelines
or use the toolbar button shown on the left (see Figure 11.29).
The setting options relevant for the grid are available in the Grid/Snap dialog tab.
Show
To display the grid in the work window, select the Grid check box. The snap function can be turned on and off independently of the grid by means of the Snap check box. Thus, the snap function on the grid points can be effective while the grid is invisible.
To quickly switch both functions on and off, use the [GRID] and [SNAP] buttons in the status bar.
Type
The grid points can be arranged in the Cartesian or the polar coordinate system. Depending on the selection, the content of the following dialog sections changes.
Alternatively, you can select the coordinate system with the [CARTES], [POLAR], or [ORTHO] buttons in the status bar.
Number of Grid Points
When a Cartesian grid is set, you can define the number of grid points for both axis directions separately.
When a polar grid is set, you have to specify the number of concentric grid circles.
If the Dynamically according to size of model option is selected, the grid is automatically adjusted to the dimensions of the model. Thus, a sufficient number of grid points is always available around the model. However, the required grid points are recalculated after each input, which may slow down the speed for creating the graphic when you work on complex models.
Grid Point Spacing
When you use a Cartesian grid, you can define the spacing of grid points separately for the directions 1 and 2.
For a polar grid, you have to specify the radial spacing R for the grid circles. The angle α controls the spacing of grid points on the circles.
Optionally, the cartesian and the polar grid can be rotated by the rotation angle β.
If needed, the number of pixels controlling the Snap distance can be adjusted.