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

Answers

• david_sohlstrom Member, Mentor Posts: 159 ✭✭✭

  March 2015

  I too would like to see a grid system. I submitted a ticket to that effect some time ago. You could submit a ticket also to reinforce the request.
  
  Dave

  David Sohlstrom
  
  Ariel, WA

  1
• pete_yodis OS Professional, Mentor Posts: 666 ✭✭✭

  March 2015 edited March 2015

  @Aras @David_Sohlstrom How are you guys using the grid?  I always turn the grid off in programs like SolidWorks.  It never added value to me.  I'm curious to see how you use it.  With Onshape, when you sketch and then dimension the first sketch element - every other sketch element is scaled to match what you just dimensioned, which in my mind invalidates my need for a grid line.  Look at the second video down on this page, starting at about 2:26 (video of dimensions and constraints)...
  
  https://www.onshape.com/tutorials
  
  
  
  

  1
• david_sohlstrom Member, Mentor Posts: 159 ✭✭✭

  March 2015

  @Pete Yodis  I use the grid system in Geomagic all the time. It tells me where I am on the plane I am sketching on. If I want a box centered on the Z axis and 2" square then I can move to X+1Y0 start my line go to Y-1 to X-1 to Y+1 to X+1 and back to X+1Y0 done. No draw a line, dim line length, dim line to Y axis, dim line to X axis, draw next line etc. 
  I can change the grid size on the fly. With snap to grid  and I move to Y+1 and X+1 and left click to start a sketch operation I know I am where I want to be and not at Y+1.0015 and X+.990
  
  Dave
  
  

  David Sohlstrom
  
  Ariel, WA

  1
• lougallo Member, Moderator, Onshape Employees, Developers Posts: 1,996

  March 2015 Answer ✓

  @Aras Not yet a feature but we have it logged.

  Lou Gallo / PD/UX - Support - Community / Onshape, Inc.

  8
• 3dcad Member, OS Professional, Mentor Posts: 2,469 PRO

  March 2015 edited March 2015

  I turn grid and snap off too, I'm too lazy to constantly change the size and hide/show to get better view. Main reason would propably be that I just never actually gave a try to learn how to ease up my work with grid / snap.
  But even if line snaps to grid, I would still add dimensions just to be sure (and in GD to get them into equation editor as parameters)
  
  Before grid I would like to see actual line lenght, circle diameter and rectangle dimensions next to cursor while creating a sketch..
  and maybe even toggle automatic dimensioning on so that you could just fix the dimensions allready in place and not need to use dimensioning tool afterwards? 

  //rami
  

  2
• david_sohlstrom Member, Mentor Posts: 159 ✭✭✭

  March 2015

  And I have grid and snap to grid on 98% of the time in GD.
  I totally agree with your second point.
  
  Dave
  
  

  David Sohlstrom
  
  Ariel, WA

  1
• nada_nix Member Posts: 19 ✭

  March 2015

  some more comments here: Sizes in sketches

  0
• a_b523 Member Posts: 3 PRO

  December 2022

  12/2022: Has this been addressed in the 7 years since posted?  If so, I haven't found it yet.
  

  
  

  Is it possible now to use a snap grid for sketching?  I can't find the video mentioned above (link is just generic videos, 41 pages worth.)

  
  

  It definitely would be helpful, especially for newbies and for doing prototype concept work (quick and dirty) to be able to just set a grid (say 1/8") and snap a series of lines around instead of setting all the constraints as you go.

  
  

  I'm sure there's some 3D CAD principle I'm missing, but all the prior 2D work I've ever done has benefited from a snap grid at times.  (With ability to turn grid and snap on and off independently.)
  

  2
• yodaco_ocadoy Member Posts: 2 ✭

  January 16

  yeah, still here in 2023, no such luck on this fairly basic request. seems like onshape is all about doing things it own way and not interested in features from other cad software useful or not. Showing/snapping to the grid is a fairly standard cad feature and is very helpful just to see the grid for reference. It seems like such an arbitrary request,

  0
• S1mon Member Posts: 1,717 PRO

  January 16

  I’ve used other parametric CAD systems which have grid options, and never found the need for them. 

  
  

  Tools like Rhino or Alias or SketchUp, yes, a grid is essential.

  1
• eric_pesty Member Posts: 1,048 PRO

  January 16

  If you really want a grid you could try using the "wire mesh" feature to create some lines (you can apply it directly to a plane) you can snap to...
  https://cad.onshape.com/documents/923cdc7df10ddf99c33196c4/w/f7a85362c107b1b33d0b3cb5/e/ef8c1e8aaf5f36a61ac32fbc
  
  That said I'm with @S1mon, I've never actually had the need for a grid for parametric CAD (you are supposed to use dimensions and "hard" constraints rather than snapping to an arbitrary grid).
  However if Onshape is going to be used by other users than just typical 3D CAD types and enough people are requesting it, who am I to say it shouldn't be available as an option!

  3
• kriskate Member Posts: 3 ✭

  March 12

  I'd also like to see a grid feature, it's more intuitive when doing quick prototyping work.

  0
• nicolas_pohl575 Member Posts: 2 ✭

  March 19

  Also still waiting on this feature

  0
• nick_papageorge073 Member Posts: 374 PRO

  March 19 edited March 19

  I too have turned off grid on every parametric program I used that offered it:) Still, different strokes for different folks. Maybe I would like it if I gave it a try again.

  3