Skip to content

Using (and Hiding) Grids while Printing

No Ruler = No Grids


The Grid Properties are included as part of the map Page Block. (Components on the printed page are called Page Blocks - see this YouTube Video if you need an explanation of the basics.) 

To include (or hide) a Map Grid:
• Open the File menu and choose Print. (Or, press the Print button on the toolbar.)
• In the Properties tab, select the Map Page Block. (If you are opening the Print window from the File menu, this will be the initial setting.)
• At the bottom left of the Print window, Properties tab, adjust the Grid Style.

Other Grid Styles Available

It is often useful to superimpose a grid pattern over the map image. These can be used to measure distances or delineate coordinates. The grids can be of various thickness - use the drop down list to select the desired effect. On topographic maps, the color of the grid is specified by the overall color for the Map Page Block. When a grid is superimposed on an Aerial Photo, it is always white. If a Township/Range grid is used, the colors are red (township), blue (section), and green (parcel.)

There are several grid Styles available:
• No Ruler: Select this option when you do not wish a ruler (along the map edge) nor a grid pattern to appear on the map.

• Ruler Only: Notates the current coordinate system in a ruler along the map edge without superimposing a grid pattern on the map itself.

• Ruler with default grid: Notates the current coordinate system in a ruler along the map edge while superimposing a grid pattern on the map.

• Ruler with custom grid: Notates the current coordinate system in a ruler along the map edge while superimposing a grid pattern on the map that is determined by the Custom Grid Preference/Layer.

• Custom grid (magnetic): Superimposes a grid system based upon the Magnetic Grid Preference/Layer. This is very helpful when using the map with a magnetic compass.

In areas where Township/Range (PLSS) grids are used, different grid styles are available:
• No Grid: Select this option when you do not wish a grid pattern to appear on the map.

• Default Grid: Superimposes a Township/Range grid system upon the map.

• Default Grid with text: Superimposes a Township/Range grid system upon the map - notated with the township, section, and parcel designations.

• Custom grid (magnetic): Superimposes a grid system based upon the Magnetic Grid Preference/Layer. This is very helpful when using the map with a magnetic compass.

What if I can not locate the Grid properties? The bottom-most item on my Properties tab for the Map page block is the 'Layers' section.

Your screen resolution is not set to the minimum requirements for Terrain Navigator (1024x768, 100% Font Size.) Using a smaller screen resolution (such as 1024x800) and/or font size (such as 150%) will force this control off of the bottom of your Windows display.

To correct this, close Terrain Navigator, right click on your Windows desktop and choose Screen resolution. Set the Resolution to 1024x768 (or higher) and/or press Make text and other items larger or smaller and select Smaller - 100%. Once these changes are applied, you may need to restart the computer for them to take effect.

I have turned off the grids, yet I still see a grid on the USGS topographic map. Can this be removed?

Some USGS topographic maps have a UTM Grid (typically in NAD27) embedded on them. Because these grids are part of the fabric of the original topographic map, they can not be removed.

I would like to have a lighter grid pattern, just for ground reference. Is there a way to add tic marks at a regular interval?

Yes. In the Layers section of the Properties of the Map Page Block, press the Select layers button. Here you will find an option to Include tic marks at 1" intervals. This will superimpose a + in a grid like pattern at each inch. This is very helpful when used in conjunction with the Summary Page Block, which includes a scale indication of inches on the map to feet on the ground.

I have turned off the grids, yet I still see a grid-like pattern on my aerial photos. How do I remove this?

Please see this knowledge base article.

Feedback and Knowledge Base