How to Make a Grid in Photoshop

One of the most productive methods of enhancing your designs is to align all its elements. Photoshop offers a useful set of tools that allows you to place all your visual components in just the right spots. One of these tools is a grid. Master how to make a grid in Photoshop and improve your designs easily.

A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Make a Grid in Photoshop

Whether you are creating new graphics from scratch or just editing an existing image, grids can be quite a helpful tool for you. A grid allows you to place your object in precise locations within your image, helps you with the alignment of different elements, and ensures symmetry in your picture.

Photoshop makes it very easy to make grids. In only a few simple steps, you can easily make a grid as per your requirements. Moreover, grids are non-printing, so you will not have to worry about removing them later from your image.

Creating Grids in Photoshop

There are two ways of creating and using grids in Photoshop. You can apply the default grid that comes built-in with Photoshop, or you can customize this default grid according to your own specific needs. Both of these methods to make and use grids in Photoshop are easy and short procedures.

Here, I will provide you with a step-by-step tutorial on both these methods of creating grids. This will help you make better and aesthetically pleasing images in a more effortless manner. Following are the different ways of creating grids in Photoshop. Pick and use the one that best suits your needs.

Using the Default Grid in Photoshop

Photoshop comes with a default grid view. You can simply turn it on to make it a part of your regular Photoshop canvas. You will have to follow a very straightforward and easy to do procedure, which is explained below:

1. Launch Photoshop and then open any existing image or create a new file. To open a file, you can follow any of these methods:

• Open directly from the homepage.
• Go to File > Open and then choose the file that you want to work on.
• Press the key CTRL + O and then choose the file you want to work on.

To create a new file, you can follow any of these methods:

• Create directly from the homepage.
• Go to File > New and then select the dimensions you want for your file.
• Press the key CTRL + N and enter the specifications required for your project.

2. Once your file appears on your Photoshop interface, go to the menu bar present at the top of your Photoshop interface.
3. From the menu bar, click on ‘View.’ This will open up a drop-down menu for you. Now from the menu, navigate to ‘Show,’ and then click on ‘Grid’ from the cascading menu. You can also utilize the keyboard shortcut for this. Press the keys CTRL + ‘ together to do the same procedure more easily.

4. You will now see that a grid will instantly appear on your Photoshop workspace.

Customizing the Default Grid in Photoshop

The default grid is easier to create and use, but it may not suit your requirements. Thankfully, Photoshop allows you to alter it as per your needs. The grid has lines and dotted lines, which you can edit. You can also restyle the appearance of the lines, the units, as well as the subdivisions.

To customize the default grid, follow the steps below:

1. Launch Photoshop and open an existing image that you want to work on or create a new file.
2. Once your file appears on your Photoshop workspace, then go to the menu bar on the top of your interface.
3. From the menu bar, click on ‘Edit.’ This will open up a drop-down menu for you. Here, navigate to Preferences > Guides, Grid & Slices.

4. You will now see a dialog box.

5. You can apply any modifications you want to the grid through this dialog box. You can change how far apart you want the gridlines to be, the number of subdivisions you want, as well the color and appearance of the lines.
6. After setting your customized grid in its place, you will now have to place your visual objects onto it. To do that, you will have to enable snapping through the steps below:

• Find the menu bar on the top of your Photoshop interface.
• Go to View > Snap and then click on ‘Grid.’

• The objects will now click into their precise place in your grid.

7. When you are done with all the steps above, turn the grid off to look at your design.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Difference Between Grid and Guide?

Grid and guide in Photoshop work in similar ways. They both help you position the visual objects in your design at exact locations.

Guides help with the alignment and appear as lines floating over your image. On the other hand, grids are useful for placing elements symmetrically, and they appear by default as non-printing lines or dots.

Is It Necessary to Turn Off the Grid Before Printing Out the Design?

You do not need to remove any grid lines before printing out your design. This is because they are non-printing lines that will not show on your printed or saved copies. However, if you want to remove these grid lines, you can easily do that by unchecking the Grid option in View > Show > Grid.

What Does Snapping Mean and Why Is It Important While Using Grids in Photoshop?

Snapping is a Photoshop feature that helps with the accurate placement of objects within your project. When you enable ‘Snap’ while using grids, it makes the grid lines work like magnets. They pull the object precisely towards its exact location. The grids pop the object into place as soon as you move it along that line.

How Do I Hide Grid Lines in Photoshop?

You can easily hide and unhide the grid lines in Photoshop. In case your grid lines are visible, and you want to hide them, then go to View > Show > Grid. The ‘Grid’ option here would have a check sign at this moment. As you click on it, the sign will be removed, and the grid lines will hide.

Can I Lock Grid Lines in Photoshop?

Yes, you can easily lock your grid lines in Photoshop. If you don’t want to accidentally move the grid from your workplace, then it is best that you lock them. To do this, open the View menu and click on ‘Lock Guides. You can also press ALT + CTRL +; to do this.

Can I Change How My Grid Looks?

Yes, you can change how your grid looks. As explained earlier in this tutorial, you can easily modify the appearance of your grid lines according to your needs. Hover your cursor to the menu bar at the top of your Photoshop interface, then navigate to Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid.

In the resulting dialog box, enter all the dimensions and details that you want your grid to have. You can change the grid line style, its color, the number of units and subdivisions, and also the distance between the lines.

Conclusion

Now you know how to make a grid in Photoshop. Grids are useful for all kinds of projects, such as landscapes, architectural shots, graphics, and many more. Making grids a part of your editing routine will result in a more productive Photoshop workflow. Moreover, you will be able to create more attractive designs with lesser effort.