Grid Cover Definition

A part in the grid structure must have a grid cover definition which specifies how the part interacts with the grid. In the most basic case, only the width and height values are needed. Each part in the same row or column must have the same size. The size does not have to exactly match the 3D mesh size. By default the part is added to the center of the cell, but an offset can be defined inside the GridOptionProperties. The the cell size is larger than the mesh, there will be empty padding space around the mesh. On the other hand, if the cell is smaller, the mesh will partially overlap the neighboring cells.

Multi-cell parts

It is possible to add additional rows and columns. This creates a multi-cell part, which occupies multiple cells in the grid. Each row and column can define its own size. The part is available only if all the sizes match the respective column and row sizes in the grid. If a new component is added partially or fully outside of the current grid bounds, a number of new rows and/or columns are added with sizes defined here.

If multiple rows and columns are used, the part geometry is added to the center of the combined area of all the cells, and can be offset in GridOptionProperties.

Area types and connectivity settings

In order to define connectivity rules in the grid, types must be added to grid parts. The types can be assigned separately to corners, edges, and cells. Area and corner types are used for overlap rules.

Edge types work in a slightly different way. When two parts are placed next to each other they share an edge. This is only allowed when the connection between the two edge types is configured so in the Grid Connectivity settings.