How to change number of rows and columns in an existing grid created using the rectangle grid tool?

Forum|Forum|10 months ago
May 21, 2025
1 reply
1060 views

I've created a 5x5 grid with rectangle grid tool. How do I change it to say, a 10x10 grid?

I'm hoping you don't have to delete and recreate a grid for every design iteration, but the grid object doesn't seem to maintain any history (which really limits the usefulness of the tool).

Monika Gause

Community Expert

You cannot change the parameters. Of course you can draw additional lines and then use the Align panel, but probably it's easier just to delete and then draw a new one.

O

ojakAuthor

Known Participant

Ugh. Thanks for the response.

Not a good tool. I'm kinda amazed that Illustrator doesn't yet have basic object history like this (like other modern design applications).

Kurt Gold

Community Expert

3D apps are vector apps. Which is why I'm surprised that as a 2D app, Illustrator falls so short. There's really no "irony" right, lol... Having constuction history per object actually allows you to reduce bloat, since rather than having a bunch of random generator scripts like Illustrator (i.e. their menu options and tool modals are essentially just a collection of generator scripts with input parameters from the modals), with construction history you'd be able to build layered functionality and continually make revisions based on layered effects. For an Adobe example, it's akin to filters in Photoshop or layer effects in After Effects, both are changeable at any time and the parameter mutability they allow for is both more powerful AND simpler to control as your designs get more complex. Illustrator still lacks this support. And a grid is a complex object, so having construction history would make building them infinitely more powerful and easy to maintain in complex designs.

Anyhow, you seem angry at my disappointment with Illustrator, for whatever reason... 🤷🏻‍♂

You are right that some constructions or objects in Illustrator do not have what you call "constuction history per object" (they are usually called "live" objects). Objects created by e.g. the Rectangular Grid tool, Polar Grid tool, Spiral tool, Arc tool still belong to that category. And of course it's appropriate to criticise the absence.

BUT: The vast majority of objects created or modified by tools or menu commands or panel parameters are live objects in current versions of Illustrator.

A rough estimation: Right now, in Illustrator 90 to 95 % of all available basic contructions are actually live objects with alterable attributes (live shapes, blends, brushes, the famous and indispensable lens flare effects, width profiles, objects on the perspective grid, symbols and symbol sets, Live Paint objects, Shaper Groups, Compound Shapes, every construction created with the commands in the Effect menu, Gradients, Freeform gradients, Image Trace objects, Charts, Envelope Distort objects, Repeat objects, Pattern fills, Variable Panel objects etc, etc.)

Therefore, claiming that all that is just a gawky "bunch of random generator scripts" seems to be at least a bit exaggerated.

Probably not exactly what you have in mind, but versatile rectangular grids can be done with the Transform Effect.

Worth to try it.

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