How to Hide the Grid and Create a Custom Shortcut in Maya

While Maya doesn't have a default hotkey pre-assigned to toggle the grid's visibility, you can easily hide it through various interface options and, more importantly, create your own custom shortcut for quick access. This guide will show you how to manage the grid's display and set up a personalized hotkey.

Hiding the Grid Manually

You have two primary ways to hide or show the grid using Maya's interface:

1. Using the Display Menu

This method toggles the grid's visibility across all view panels simultaneously.

Navigate to the Main Menu: At the top of your Maya interface, locate and click on the Display menu.
Toggle Grid: From the dropdown menu, select Grid. A checkmark next to "Grid" indicates it's currently visible. Clicking it will hide the grid, and clicking it again will show it.

2. Using the View Panel Toolbar

Each individual view panel (e.g., Perspective, Top, Front) has its own toolbar where you can control specific display options for that panel.

Locate the Toolbar: In the upper-left corner of any active view panel, you'll find a series of icons.
Click the Grid Icon: Look for an icon that visually represents a grid (often a square grid pattern). Clicking this icon will toggle the grid's visibility specifically for that view panel. This allows you to have the grid visible in one panel (like the Top view) but hidden in another (like the Perspective view).

Creating a Custom Shortcut for Grid Visibility

Since there isn't a default hotkey for the grid, creating your own is a powerful way to streamline your workflow.

Assign a Hotkey to the Toggle Grid Command

Maya's Hotkey Editor allows you to assign custom key combinations to almost any command.

Open the Hotkey Editor:
- Go to Window > Settings/Preferences > Hotkey Editor.
Navigate to the Display Category:
- In the Hotkey Editor window, expand the Categories list on the left side.
- Scroll down and select Display. This will filter the command list to show display-related functions.
Find the Grid Command:
- In the Commands list, look for a command related to the grid. You might find it listed as DisplayGrid, Toggle Grid, or similar.
Assign Your Hotkey:
- Once you've selected the DisplayGrid (or equivalent) command, go to the Assign New Hotkey section.
- Enter your desired key: Click in the Key field and press the key you want to use (e.g., G, F4, etc.).
- Add Modifiers (Optional but Recommended): To avoid conflicts with existing single-key shortcuts, it's highly recommended to use modifier keys like Ctrl, Alt, or Shift. Check the corresponding boxes (e.g., Ctrl + Alt).
- Check for Conflicts: Maya will indicate if your chosen hotkey combination is already in use by another command. If there's a conflict, choose a different combination or reassign the conflicting command if you prefer your new grid shortcut.
Save Your Hotkey:
- Click the Assign button to set your new hotkey.
- Finally, click Save in the Hotkey Editor to store your changes permanently.

Practical Hotkey Tips

Choose Wisely: Select a key combination that is easy to remember and reach, but doesn't conflict with other frequently used shortcuts. Many artists use Alt + G or Ctrl + G for grid toggling.
Test It: After assigning and saving, close the Hotkey Editor and test your new shortcut in a Maya scene to ensure it works as expected.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage the visibility of your grid in Maya and create a personalized shortcut that enhances your modeling and animation workflow.