Understanding Strata 3D's grid system is essential to successful modeling, because everything you create or animate will be done relative to the grid.
We recommend that you spend some time getting comfortable with the grids. Using the grids will give you precise control over object sizing, placement and animation.
When you open a new model, the window automatically contains World grids. This is the kind you will probably use the most.
The grids form a three-axis coordinate system with the axes at right angles to one another. By default, X is horizontal, Y is vertical, and Z is depth.
We recommend you use the Auto Grids option in your Preferences. This feature automatically changes the grids to fit your view orientation.
User-defined grids are useful for aligning and positioning objects with each other.
User-defined grids can be positioned anywhere in your model and are attached directly to an object. Once created, they can be scaled, moved and rotated.
The grid tool draws from the center. The grid is placed on the face of the object and perpendicular to the object. Handles appear for manipulating the grid. User-defined grids are orange.
The User grid appears with handles on the edges for resizing; and also two blue control handles in the center.
The blue handle which is on the object lets you move the whole grid; the blue handle above the object lets you rotate the grid.
View grids are parallel to the view plane and are view relative. In other words, you are always looking at them straight on.
Display a View grid in the active window by clicking the View grid button.
Clicking the View grid button again will turn off the View grid and make the previous grid active.