Using Guide and Grid Layers

In addition to general purpose layers, you can use special layers containing drawing aids called guides and grids. Like other layers, guide layers and grid layers appear in the Document Layout palette. You can arrange these layers by dragging them in the list to place them in front of or behind other layers.

Guide Layers

When the command Layout | Grids and Guides | Snap to Guides is selected, objects that you draw and move will snap to guides on the guide layer. Guides that you drag from the rulers, and text sections you draw with the Section tool will appear on the current page’s guide layer. You can also draw on a guide layer to create “magnetic” guide objects. You can move or copy a guide layer to another place within the present page or to another page altogether.

By default, objects on guide layers are light blue. By changing the guide layer override color, you can make the objects any color.

To Add a Guide Layer:

1. Select the page to which you want to add a guide layer.
2. Choose Add Guide Layer in the Document Layout palette’s menu.
3. In the New Guide Layer dialog box, enter a name, select Visible checkbox to display the layer, and click OK.

To Change a Guide Layer’s Name, Override Color, or Other Properties:

Double-click the layer and change the options in the Layer Options dialog box. See Page and Layer Options.

To Arrange Guide Layers:

Select the guide layer and then drag the guide layer to its new position.

To Copy Guide Layers:

Select the guide layer and Ctrl-drag the guide layer to its new position.

To Delete Guide Layers:

Do one of the following:

• Select the guide layer and drag it to the trash can icon in the Document Layout palette.
• Select the guide layer and choose Delete from the palette's menu.

Grid Layers

Grid layers display gray grids that can help you position objects precisely. When the command Layout | Grids and Guides | Snap To Grids is selected, the bounding boxes of objects will snap to the grid. When you create a grid it appears on a grid layer. Grid layers are locked by default. You can configure the current page’s grid using the Layout | Grids and Guides command. You can move or copy a grid layer to another place within the present page or to another page altogether.

By default, grid layers are gray.

To Add a Grid Layer:

1. Select the page to which you want to add a grid layer.
2. Choose Add Grid Layer in the palette menu.
3. In the New Grid Layer dialog box, configure the options as desired, and then click OK. Canvas X Draw adds a new grid layer.

To Change a Grid Layer’s Name or Other Properties:

Double-click the grid layer and change the options in the Layer Options dialog box. See Page and Layer Options.

To Arrange Grid Layers:

Select the grid layer and drag the grid layer to its new position.

To Copy Grid Layers:

Select the grid layer and Ctrl-drag the grid layer to its new position.

To Delete Grid Layers:

Do one of the following:

• Select the grid layer and drag it to the trash can icon in the Document Layout palette.
• Select the grid layer and choose Delete from the palette menu.

See also:

• Page and Layer Options