Gridding Techniques

There are four basic gridding techniques that you can choose from, depending on your project's needs. Watch the video below for an overview of these techniques.

Standard Probing of Workpiece Edges

This is the default gridding technique that you'll find yourself using most often. Invert your engraving bit in the collet for a reliable and uniform 1/4" probe. To maximize precision, just make contact with the workpiece edge—don't force it against the material. Put as much distance as possible between your first and second X axis probes to maximize accuracy.

You may want to use this technique when:

• Your workpiece is rectilinear
• You have probing access to two edges of your workpiece that are perpendicular to one another

Hybrid Approach

This is a combination of physical probing and visual alignment. Probe with an engraving bit installed to visually align with the tip of the cutter. When probing against the edge of your workpiece, you can use the shank above the cutting flutes to reliably index. When probing visually, select the center of your probe alignment before probing.

You may want to use this technique when:

• You have probing access to one (but only one) flat edge of your workpiece
• You want to index to both a workpiece edge and a visual mark

Visual Approach

Use this gridding technique to align designs to visual markers on your workpiece. Install an engraving bit right side up to align the point of the bit with your visual marker. Lower the bit as close to the surface as possible to make alignment more accurate. Select the center of your probe alignment before probing for each probe point.

You may want to use this technique when:

• You don't have probing access to the edge of your workpiece
• You want to reference only against pre-existing marks or features of your workpiece

Shortcut

Sometimes you just need a quick grid in your Workspace. You can create a Shortcut Grid by selecting New Grid and double-tapping the green button. Start a New Grid as you normally would, but when you are prompted to place your first probe point, simply double-tap the green handle button without moving Origin. This creates a quick Grid where (0,0) is the center of your probe and the grid is oriented to the direction that Origin is facing.

You may want to use this technique when:

• You have a single visual marker to which you are going to index multiple design features
• You are going to use Grid as a measuring device on your workpiece