Looking at the Work Area > Viewing images > Using rulers and the grid
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Using rulers and the grid


Rulers and the grid help you position items (such as selections, layers, and shapes) precisely across the width or length of an image.

When visible, rulers appear along the top and left side of the active window. Markers in the ruler display the pointer's position when you move it. Changing the ruler origin (the (0, 0) mark on the top and left rulers) lets you measure from a specific point on the image. The ruler origin also determines the grid's point of origin.

To show or hide rulers:

Do one of the following:
  • Click the Ruler button () in the shortcuts bar.
  • Choose View > Show Rulers or View > Hide Rulers.

    • To show or hide the grid:

    Choose View > Show Grid or View > Hide Grid.

    To change the rulers' zero origin:

    Position the pointer over the intersection of the rulers in the upper left corner of the window, and drag diagonally down onto the image. A set of cross hairs appears, marking the new origin on the rulers. The new zero origin will be set where you release the mouse.

    Note: To reset the ruler origin to its default value, double-click the upper left corner of the rulers.

    To change the rulers' settings:

    1 Do one of the following:
  • Double-click a ruler.
  • Choose Edit > Preferences > Units & Rulers.

    • 2 For Rulers, choose a unit of measurement.

    Note: Changing the units on the Info palette automatically changes the units on the rulers. (See Using the Info palette.)

    3 For Width and Gutter, enter values for the column size. You can also change the units.

    Some layout programs use the column width setting to specify the display of an image across columns. The Image Size and Canvas Size commands also use this setting. (See Changing the print dimensions and resolution of an image and Changing the size of the work canvas.)

    4 For Point/Pica Size, choose from the following options:
  • PostScript (72 points per inch) if you are printing to a PostScript device.
  • Traditional to use printer's 72.27 points per inch.

    • 5 Click OK.

    To change the grid settings:

    1 Choose Edit > Preferences > Grid.

    2 For Color, choose a preset color, or select Custom to choose a custom color.

    3 For Style, choose the line style for the grid. Choose Lines for solid lines, or choose Dashed lines or Dots for broken lines.

    4 For Gridline every, enter a number value, and then choose the unit of measurement to define the spacing of major grid lines.

    5 For Subdivisions, enter a number value to define the frequency of minor grid lines.

    6 Click OK.

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