Photoshop Elements > Grids

You can create a temporary grid that overlays your photograph.

Or, you can create a grid on a layer that can be superimposed on your photograph.

Temporary Grid Overlay Superimposed Grid Layer

Temporary Grid Overlay

You can display a grid over a photograph.

The grid is not part of the photograph.

Go to View > Grid.

The grid is useful for when you're:

• Positioning objects in a collage.

• Positioning text.

• Applying the Rule of Thirds.

When you're drawing out a selection, or moving objects, they may jump to a grid line.

To turn off the feature, go to View > Snap To > Grid.

To change the grid values, go to Edit > Preferences > Display & Cursors (Windows) or Photoshop Elements > Preferences > Display & Cursors (Mac).

Superimposed Grid Layer

You can place a grid on a layer in the Layers panel.

If you save the photograph, with the grid layer visible, the grid will be superimposed on the photograph.

Let's assume your photograph has a resolution of 300 pixels/inch (ppi).

1) Go to File > New > Blank File.

Enter the following values.

Width	300 pixels
Height	300 pixels
Resolution	300 ppi
Color Mode	RGB
Background Contents	Transparent

2) Click OK.

3) Go to Select > All, or press Ctrl +a.

4) Go to Edit > Stroke, and enter the following values

Width	3 pixels
Color	Any
Location	Center
Blending	• Normal • 100% Opacity • Deselect Preserve Transparency

5) Click OK.

6) Go to Edit > Define Pattern.

7) Name the pattern Grid 1in. 300 ppi, and click OK.

8) Close the above image, and don't save.

9) Open a photograph.

10) Create a blank layer.

11) Go to Edit > Fill Layer, and enter the following values.

Use	Pattern
Custom Pattern	Click the tiny black triangle & select Grid 1in. 300 ppi (last one in list).
Blending	• Normal • 100% Opacity • Deselect Preserve Transparency

12) Click OK.

The grid is now on the blank layer.

There's a box every inch.