Grid points

The grid can make a significant contribution to the ease and speed of the design, as the reference points of the objects can be "snapped to" the grid points. Here it is not only important to define a suitable grid base, but also to consider the grid offset, with which the grid can be moved relative to the origin.

By clicking Edit > Settings you open the dialog box to make the initial settings for the grid, in particular the values for the grid distances or the grid base.

Checking the box "Align on grid" will only affects movements or placements performed in the future, whereas clicking Selection > Align on grid affects all of the currently selected objects.

By clicking View the values for the grid base can be respectively doubled or halved.

A list box can be opened in the status bar in order to select certain values for the grid base or the dialogue box can be opened to enter a user-specific values and to switch on or off the ‘Align on grid’ option.

The two grid distances X and Y, define a line grid in the workspace of which only the points of intersection are shown:

•	X = distance between the vertical grid lines (parallel to the Y-axis)

•	Y = distance between the horizontal grid lines (parallel to the X-axis)

The points of intersection of the horizontal and vertical grid lines, also referred to as the "grid points", can be used to place objects or their reference points as well as the origin.

The grid offset defines the X and Y distances between the origin and the grid point which is closest to the origin.

As long as the box "Align on grid" is checked in Edit > Settings… , then

•	every object during "moving" or "placement" including its reference point

•	as well as the origin during "setting"

is positioned on one of the grid points by clicking or dragging the mouse. Existing or selected objects are not affected. Regardless of the status of the check box "Align on grid", by clicking Selection > Align on grid

•	any number of individually selected objects independently of one other each with their respective reference point

•	to previously grouped objects with their internally calculated common reference point (see: Group properties)

are moved to the nearest grid point.

To place new items on a grid, you should always proceed in the following order:

•	Placement of the origin on one of the positions to be occupied by the inserted objects.

•	Definition of the grid base for the desired grid. To ensure that a grid point automatically coincides with the origin, the grid offset must be set to zero.

•	Check the box "Align on grid".

•	Place objects with the option "Enter coordinates using the mouse" by allowing the cursor – and with it also the reference point of the object to be placed – to snap to one of the grid points.

In principle, the grid-like alignment of existing objects functions in the same way as the grid-like insertion of new objects (see point above).

As long as one of the objects for alignment is correctly positioned, then the origin can be determined with the aid of the option ‘Enter coordinates based on the reference point of an object’ without entering the absolute coordinates.