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Create Rectangular Reference Grid

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  • Last UpdatedMar 03, 2026
  • 3 minute read

Creates a rectangular reference grid which contains two horizontal faces (on the X and Y axis) and an optional additional vertical face (on the Z axis).

  • If a GRDWL element is not available, MODEL creates a GRDWL element, by default.

  • If a single GRDWL element is available, the rectangular reference grid elements are created below the GRDWL element, by default.

  • If multiple GRDWL elements are available and the GRDWL element is not selected upon grid creation, the reference grid elements are created below the first GRIDWL in the hierarchy, by default.

  1. You are prompted to Specify grid origin or

    Input values in the dimension fields and press Enter or click to identify the grid origin position.

  2. You are then prompted to Specify Step along X axis

    Input a dimensional value in the field and press Enter or click to identify a plane position along the X axis.

  3. You are then prompted to Specify Step along X axis or <Y>

  4. The prompt is repeated, allowing you to create multiple grid planes along the X axis.

    Input Y at the prompt and press Enter to create the Y axis of the grid.

  5. You are then prompted to Specify Step along Y axis

    Input a dimensional value in the field and press Enter or click to identify a plane position along the Y axis.

  6. You are then prompted to Specify Step along Y axis or <Z>

  7. The prompt is repeated, allowing you to create multiple grid planes along the Y axis.

    Input Z at the prompt and press Enter to create the Z axis of the grid.

  8. You are then prompted to Specify Step along Z axis or <Finish>

    Input a dimensional value in the field and press Enter or click to identify a plane position along the Z axis. All plane positions along the Z axis are measured from the grid origin.

  9. The prompt is repeated, allowing you to create multiple grid planes along the Z axis.

    Input F at the prompt and press Enter to end the command. A grid is created with specified planes and displays in the 3D view.

  10. Throughout the grid creation process you can press ESC to cancel the command.

Additional functionality is also available:

  • Name

Press the down arrow key and select Name to define the grid name.

You are prompted to Specify grid name

Input a unique name in the field and press Enter to name the grid.

By default, the grid name is used to populate the Name property of the REFGRID member elements.

  • Absolute

Press the down arrow key and select Absolute to define a grid plane with a distance value measured from the grid origin.

  • Back

Press the down arrow key and select Back to undo the last action.

  • Relative

Press the down arrow key and select Relative to define a grid plane with a distance value measured from the previously created grid plane.

  • Y

Press the down arrow key and select Y to create the Y axis of the grid.

You are prompted to Specify Step along Y axis

Input a dimensional value in the field and press Enter or click to identify a plane position along the Y axis.

  • Z

Press the down arrow key and select Z to create the Z axis of the grid.

You are prompted to Specify Step along Z axis or <Finish>

Input a dimensional value in the field and press Enter or click to identify a plane position along the Z axis.

  • Finish

Press the down arrow key and select Finish to end the command.

The new reference grid elements displayed in the Model Explorer:

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