Default Reference Grid for new documents

Configure the initial grid mode, divisions or cell sizes, diagonal mode, main and diagonal line colors, and grid visibility in Settings → Studio → Reference Grid. Defaults are applied only to a newly created Studio document; subsequent edits to a Reference Grid are saved with that project. This grid is independent of the Canvas Grid.

Purpose

The Reference Grid displays horizontal and vertical guide lines over the selected Reference. It helps artists compare proportions, judge the position of objects, and transfer a composition more accurately to a drawing or painting.

It is particularly useful for portraits, architecture, complex still-life arrangements, and other subjects where spatial relationships and proportions matter.

Unlike the Canvas Grid, which covers the artwork canvas, the Reference Grid is displayed only over the selected Reference. The two grids have separate settings and can be shown independently.

The selected Reference

When a document contains multiple References, the grid appears over the currently selected one. Selecting another Reference applies the same document-level Reference Grid settings to it. Separate grid settings are not stored for each Reference.

The grid follows the Reference’s position, size, and rotation. If the Reference has been cropped using ARS, the grid is fitted to its visible, cropped area. In Divisions mode, the specified column and row counts apply to that area. In Cell Size mode, grid spacing starts at the cropped area’s top-left corner.

If no Reference is selected, or the selected Reference is hidden, its grid is not visible on the canvas.

Main settings

Visibility

The eye toggle, Show, displays or hides the Reference Grid. Hiding the grid does not reset its settings.

Mode

Choose one of two grid construction methods in Mode.

Divisions

Use Columns and Rows to divide the selected Reference area into equal sections horizontally and vertically. Each value can range from 1 to 100.

ARS calculates the individual cell dimensions from the Reference’s visible area. If the Reference is resized or cropped, the number of divisions remains the same while the cell dimensions are recalculated.

This mode is helpful when comparing relative areas of a Reference rather than working with fixed physical dimensions.

Cell Size

Use Cell Width and Cell Height to specify the physical spacing of the grid lines. Each dimension can range from 1 to 1000 cm. When inches are selected, the controls display the equivalent measurements in inches.

Grid lines are placed at the specified intervals starting from the top-left corner of the visible Reference area. If that area is not an exact multiple of the cell dimensions, the cells along the edges may be smaller.

This mode is useful when you want a specific physical grid spacing on the Reference.

Diagonals

In addition to horizontal and vertical lines, the grid can display diagonals within its cells. The Diagonals menu provides four options:

  • None – no diagonal lines.
  • Ascending ↗ – diagonals rising from left to right.
  • Descending ↘ – diagonals falling from left to right.
  • Both ╳ – diagonals in both directions.

Diagonals may help with comparing angles, directions, and the relative placement of objects.

Colors

Line Color sets the color of the main horizontal and vertical grid lines.

Diagonal Color sets the diagonal line color independently of the main lines. This control is shown only when a diagonal mode other than None is selected.

Choose colors that remain clearly visible against different light and dark areas of the Reference.

Measurement units

In Cell Size mode, measurements can be displayed in centimeters or inches, depending on the measurement unit selected in ARS. Switching units changes the displayed values, not the actual physical cell dimensions.

In Divisions mode, the column and row counts do not depend on measurement units.

Practical example

Suppose you are painting a portrait from a Reference. Select the Reference, turn on the Reference Grid, and choose, for example, 8 Columns and 10 Rows in Divisions mode.

You can also enable the separate Canvas Grid on the artwork canvas and choose suitable divisions there. Comparing the grid sections can help you place the eyes, nose, mouth, and other features more accurately. ARS does not automatically synchronize the two grids’ settings; choose them to suit your working method.

Good to know

  • Reference Grid settings belong to the document, but the grid appears only on the currently selected Reference.
  • Cropping a Reference adjusts the grid to the Reference’s visible area.
  • The Reference Grid and Canvas Grid are independent; changing one does not change the other.
  • Local Refinement areas belong to the Canvas Grid, not the Reference Grid.