Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Powered by Zoomin Software. For more details please contactZoomin

Everything E3D

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Create Cylindrical Reference Grid

Save PDF
Save selected topicSave selected topic and subtopicsSave all topics
Share
Share to emailCopy topic URL
  • Last UpdatedMar 03, 2026
  • 3 minute read

Creates a cylindrical reference grid which contains multiple cylindrical, grid and elevation planes.

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

  • If a single GRDWL element is available, the 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 pick the 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 Radius or

    Input a dimensional value in the field and press Enter or click to identify a cylindrical plane.

  3. You are then prompted to Radius or <Next>

  4. The prompt is repeated, allowing you to create multiple cylindrical planes.

    Input N at the prompt and press Enter to specify the angle of the grid planes.

  5. You are then prompted to Angle or

    Input a value in the angle field and press Enter or click to identify a grid plane position along the sweep axis.

  6. You are then prompted to Angle or <Next>

  7. The prompt is repeated, allowing you to create multiple grid planes.

    Input N at the prompt and press Enter to specify the bottom elevation for the grid.

  8. You are then prompted to Specify bottom elevation or <Next>

    Click the sphere grip and input a dimensional value in the field and press Enter or click to identify the bottom elevation of the grid.

  9. The prompt is repeated, allowing you to modify the bottom elevation of the grid.

    Input N at the prompt and press Enter to specify the grid height.

  10. You are then prompted to Specify tower height or

    Input a dimensional value in the field and press Enter or click to identify the grid height.

  11. You are then prompted to Specify plane 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 elevation plane positions along the Z axis are measured from the grid origin.

  12. 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.

  13. 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 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.

  • Diameter

Press the down arrow key and select Diameter to define a cylindrical plane using a diameter value.

  • Back

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

  • Radius

Press the down arrow key and select Radius to define a cylindrical plane using a radius value.

  • Next

Press the down arrow key and select Next to proceed to the next grid creation process.

  • Fill

Press the down arrow key and select Fill to create multiple grid planes that are separated by a defined angular value.

  • Absolute

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

  • 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.

  • Finish

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

The new reference grid elements displayed in the Model Explorer:

Related Links