Use the custom grid form

The Custom Form enables you to create just about any grid you can think of, and is the feature that sets GuideGuide apart from other grid tools. The Grid Form uses a language called grid notation, which is a way to “write” grids.

Create a basic grid with grid notation

Let’s test out a simple three column grid using grid notation.

• Click the Custom tab.
• Enter | ~ | ~ | ~ | ( vlp ) in the text area.
• Click the Add Guides button.

You will see a three column grid appear in your document. Note that the notation you wrote, looks a bit like a three column grid. That’s because the pipe | character tells GuideGuide to add a guide and the wildcard ~ character tells GuideGuide to evenly distribute space. The other bits are options that tell GuideGuide what direction to make the guides and where to put them.

Sync grid notation from the Grid form

GuideGuide uses grid notation under the hood for all actions that add guides. It can be handy to see or modify the grid notation that is generated on the Grid tab. To do this, click the Generate grid notation from grid form values button. When this is active, any changes made on the Grid tab will appear on the Custom tab as grid notation.

Quickly reset the entire form

To reset the contents of the guide form, click the Reset form button.

Save a preset grid

If you have a grid you use regularly, or just want to save for later, fill out the form, then click the Save as preset button. You will be given the opportunity to name your grid.