Welcome to the Onshape forum! Ask questions and join in the discussions about everything Onshape.

First time visiting? Here are some places to start:
  1. Looking for a certain topic? Check out the categories filter or use Search (upper right).
  2. Need support? Ask a question to our Community Support category.
  3. Please submit support tickets for bugs but you can request improvements in the Product Feedback category.
  4. Be respectful, on topic and if you see a problem, Flag it.

If you would like to contact our Community Manager personally, feel free to send a private message or an email.

How can I display a grid when I am drawing an sketch?

2

Answers

  • MichaelPascoeMichaelPascoe Member Posts: 2,287 PRO
    edited January 2024

    @aras welcome back to Onshape! Wow, a 9 year old post, cool.

    While I don't use a grid, I am surprised at some of the replies dished out in this thread. Usually, we keep it pretty professional on the OS forum. B)

    When using a grid in other software, I typically use it to align things. In OS, I simply let it auto snap vertically or horizontally, or assign a constraint, so no need for a grid. Also, no need for pdf drawings, I just share a link to the model with my clients.



    Learn more about the Gospel of Christ  ( Here )

    CADSharp  -  We make custom features and integrated Onshape apps!   Learn How to FeatureScript Here 🔴
  • rick_randallrick_randall Member Posts: 394 ✭✭✭
    Lets go back to the original post, and forget the" I like grids - I don't like grids" issue.
    aras said:
    When I am in sketch mode and drawing a line, how can I know how long my line is? I think for 2D sketches it would be very useful to have a grid that you could use as a guide. Is this currently possible?

    answer 1) 2015 didn't have dimension on the "fly" yet, but this would be the best way to answer this now.
    answer 2)
    NeilCooke said:
    Unlikely to happen
    As of this post, On shape has no grid. keep submitting tickets - and best of luck.

  • christopher_leffelchristopher_leffel Member Posts: 5
    As someone with only a modicum of modeling and design experience, including CAD, 3DSMax, Maya and SolidWorks, and a whole giant boatload of IT experience including quite a fair bit of dev and engineering, I find that such a simple request that people genuinely want is still not implemented... 9 *years* later... disappointing to say the least, and certainly not encouraging. At a quick glance, I can't even see a way to import an image on a plane that I could use either as a grid, or a point of reference makes me wonder whether my time with it thus far has been well spent or not.
  • Vittal_BigamudraVittal_Bigamudra Member Posts: 2 EDU
    Grids can help with perspective before extruding in 3d models. I know people will tell me just to look at the selected plane but grids make it easier.
  • mihai_stefanmihai_stefan Member Posts: 2

    +1 for sketch grid 

  • arasaras Member Posts: 16 ✭✭

    Woha! This sure looks promising!

    This is the first time I hear about feature script and fs.place. Is that a market place similar to food4rhino? Is this a new thing? Could you tell me a bit about it and where to get started with it as a developer?

    This almost makes me want to try onshape again after all this years even though I have a Fusion360 and Rhino8 license right now and primarily use those. Hopefully I can give this a try on the weekend. If it works as shown, then I'll accept this as an answer.

    Thank you!

  • Oliver_CouchOliver_Couch Member Posts: 230 PRO

    How do you tolerance a 3D model? Quickly viewable dimensions with manufacturing tolerance is the main reason I still make 2D drawings, even though they take a lot of time. If there's a better way I would like to know!

  • Caden_ArmstrongCaden_Armstrong Member Posts: 263 PRO

    I'm not familiar with food4rhino, but it looks pretty similar.
    fs.place is a marketplace for FeatureScripts.
    If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email.

    www.smartbenchsoftware.com --- fs.place --- Renaissance
    Custom FeatureScript and Onshape Integrated Applications
  • jean_marc_billaudjean_marc_billaud Member Posts: 12
    edited January 25

    Still no grid implemented in OnShape.

    Even if some users do not see the need for it, it is a basic feature needed by many other users. But it is notorious that developpers know better than anyone what is good for you.

    I do not understand how the sketch-grid-custom-feature thing works. It generates no grid at all.

  • MichaelPascoeMichaelPascoe Member Posts: 2,287 PRO
    edited January 24

    Welcome to the eternal war of Grid vs Evil!

    Head over to the sign-up zone and pick your side.
    Grid users – your destiny awaits in the blue tent.
    Non-Grid users – claim your place in the red tent.

    Good luck recruits!

    faction tents filled.png

    Learn more about the Gospel of Christ  ( Here )

    CADSharp  -  We make custom features and integrated Onshape apps!   Learn How to FeatureScript Here 🔴
  • rick_randallrick_randall Member Posts: 394 ✭✭✭
    edited January 24

    lol, stop it your killing me!

  • MichaelPascoeMichaelPascoe Member Posts: 2,287 PRO

    Just didn't seem right without that small touch, you know? 😁


    Learn more about the Gospel of Christ  ( Here )

    CADSharp  -  We make custom features and integrated Onshape apps!   Learn How to FeatureScript Here 🔴
  • ioan_ferezanioan_ferezan Member Posts: 2

    No grid feature still? Other alternatives to it?

  • vernon_zehrvernon_zehr Member Posts: 2

    I, too, needed a grid and this crazy gizmo hits the spot perfectly. I am creating a gizmo made up of multiple similar simple parts and need a way to exactly and precisely align the connected parts on a simple grid for boolean and for 3D print export.

  • MDesignMDesign Member Posts: 798 ✭✭✭

    I'll take the red tent. haven't used a grid since Autocad 9 probably and that was only for training.

  • eric_pestyeric_pesty Member Posts: 2,160 PRO

    If the goal is to "precisely align" things, a grid is not how this is done in parametric CAD!
    There are various ways to do this using a layout sketch, relations and/or mate connectors etc… that are going to be more precise than a grid. So definitely not a "legitimate" reason to want a grid on sketches…

  • mitch_koistinenmitch_koistinen Member Posts: 2

    ar·bi·trar·y, adjective, based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system

    A grid is hardly arbitrary as it is based on whichever units of measurement you have learned to love.

    Wouldn't the easiest way to make, say, a 4.25"x6.5" rectangle, be clicking and dragging until it reads 4.25"x6.5"?? Ya know, rather than making essentially an unknown size rectangle and then adjusting it using multiple clicks and keystrokes?

    I feel like UI improvements should make things more intuitive.

    I know Shapr3d isn't really a parametric program (or even a serious contender) but they did the grid thing right. It consists of very light gray lines, on the plane you are currently working on. The grid is 1mm squares and as you zoom in or out it adjusts to .5mm, or 2mm, or 5mm, etc. so there is no "adjusting the grid". The grid can be locked to the current increment if you desire. Snap to grid can easily be turned on and off. After using the grid to sketch or align an object.

    Or a player can adjust dimensions by simply clicking on a line and typing in the dimension that one desires.

    Shapr3d as a whole is a joke but their UI is king. I'm hoping they can continue to improve to the point where they can compete with more serious programs. Then I won't have to go on these forums or any other forum to try to figure out how to do a thing.

  • MDesignMDesign Member Posts: 798 ✭✭✭

    I am generally curious here. Can someone point me to a youtube or a real world use case explaining in detail the need for grids? Maybe I'm missing something that would make me more efficient.

  • MDesignMDesign Member Posts: 798 ✭✭✭
    image.png

    🙄First video I watch looking for what I'm asking says this… 🤷‍♂️

  • martin_kopplowmartin_kopplow Member Posts: 765 PRO

    This comes up time and again. There appear to be people out there who never needed a grid. That's perfectly okay. On the other hand, saying that nobody ever needs a grid is a bit on the odd side. There are just things out there that strictly follow a given grid, and then, a grid can just be another helpful tool, even if there are ways imaginable to do it without.

  • aled_longaled_long Member Posts: 4

    I agree, Martin.
    I need to make a dimensionally accurate 2D sketch, the point of a right angle triangle needs to be an exact distance from the next sketch element. A grid would be extremely useful to draw the line without fumbling about the functions (like the numerous constraints with their confusing legends) that fix the sketch after the fact. With a grid I can get the sketch dimensionally correct first time without the extra fuss. Drawing without a grid is like sketching on a piece of blank paper with a pencil, much easier with math type grid lines.
    I am here looking for help, not pompous ridicule, Michael.

  • aled_longaled_long Member Posts: 4

    I create two parts with exact dimensions then use the offset option in boolean which acts as the tolerance function between the two parts…
    This is 3D CAD so I am sure there are plenty of other ways of achieving the same results also.

  • MichaelPascoeMichaelPascoe Member Posts: 2,287 PRO
    edited May 7

    @aled_long I was wondering how long it would take the grid users to notice that 😉, No need to downvote all my comments, I was only lightening the mood a bit. There is only so much dev users can do once Onshape has made a decision.

    The Sketch Grid feature by @Caden_Armstrong is a quick way to get a functional grid points into Onshape. If you want changes to the feature, then please give feedback.

    Another good one is Face Curves by @EvanReese. This will let you put a grid on any surface or face.
    Tip: If you change the color of the composite part (grid) it makes it really easy to see in down stream sketches.

    https://cad.onshape.com/documents/0299a7819b48aa5e898f4838/w/f5b12c6015ba8fb6f77915f7/e/6265915d210fde8e6f57064…

    Grid exmaple.gif

    Learn more about the Gospel of Christ  ( Here )

    CADSharp  -  We make custom features and integrated Onshape apps!   Learn How to FeatureScript Here 🔴
  • MichaelPascoeMichaelPascoe Member Posts: 2,287 PRO
    edited May 7

    Ok, I whipped up a quick custom feature called grid.png Grid that you can add to your toolbar. This is as far as we 3rd party dev's can take it to help out.
    This feature lets you choose the location, color, transparency, count, and spacing.

    https://cad.onshape.com/documents/5bf2ccb648f1c1187850c313/w/8c1b54b3df923ece0f5d30d2/e/85b514e82da121d60c…

    Grid example.gif

    Learn more about the Gospel of Christ  ( Here )

    CADSharp  -  We make custom features and integrated Onshape apps!   Learn How to FeatureScript Here 🔴
  • MDesignMDesign Member Posts: 798 ✭✭✭

    Can you take it one step further and make it 3d so it only needs created once and placed at the beginning of the feature tree?

  • MichaelPascoeMichaelPascoe Member Posts: 2,287 PRO
    edited May 8

    @MDesign done! And now it:

    • Automatically selects the top plane when first creating the feature.
    • Remembers previously used values so if it is something you use often, you won't have to change the settings every time, one click and your ready to go.
    • Creates a grid plane so you can click anywhere in the grid to start a new sketch.
    • Has the option to create XYZ grids.

    .

    grid.png Grid - Custom Feature
    https://cad.onshape.com/documents/5bf2ccb648f1c1187850c313/w/8c1b54b3df923ece0f5d30d2/e/85b514e82da121d60cc800…

    xyz grid.gif Grid example 2.gif

    Learn more about the Gospel of Christ  ( Here )

    CADSharp  -  We make custom features and integrated Onshape apps!   Learn How to FeatureScript Here 🔴
  • MDesignMDesign Member Posts: 798 ✭✭✭

    @MichaelPascoe Perfect. It's not for me as I don't use grids, but I'm sure someone will appreciate not having to define it 3+ times and having the option of just a 2D located elsewhere. If someone uses grids and finds this helpful, please send Michael a shout out to say thanks. Both Grid tents can rejoice.

  • nick_papageorge_dayjobnick_papageorge_dayjob Member, csevp Posts: 949 PRO

    I gave you a vote up…. but I think this will be one of the least used featurescripts :P Good job though:)

  • martin_kopplowmartin_kopplow Member Posts: 765 PRO

    @MichaelPascoe

    That looks good. Probably as good as it gets in this scenario. Won't probably use it all the time, but when it comes to those 'building block' designs it might be helpful. Last time, I was helping myself by defining a "#GridDistance" variable at the beginning and then dimensioning all the base points of stuff in the grid in multiples of that (or offset the base mate connectors in the same manner). Thanks for making this. :0)

Sign In or Register to comment.