Ruler and Grid print functions available in Lightroom?

[tsivert1]

I paint from photos, and have used the "ruler" and "grids" view features in Photoshop for Windows to scale my photo to my canvas ( e.g., crop a photo to a 12" X 16" format, then show vertical and horizontal ruler, then overlay a grid so I can transfer key image points to my 12" X16" canvas to scale prior to my preliminary sketch ). I now have a Mac and Lightroom. Does Lightroom have features which will allow me to apply ruler and grid to a photo, then print this image? If not, what do I need for my Mac?

[Just Shoot Me · Accepted solution]

No rulers or grids like you get in PS.

If you have LR then are you using the Photographers plan subscription? If so you can install PS on that Mac.

[tsivert1]

Thanks for prompt and clear reply. You confirmed my suspicions.

[Rob_Cullen]

There is a method (a 'work-around' )  that can use a PNG image file to overlay your photo .

If You can construct an image that has grid lines on it, you can overlay this grid on any image as an Identity plate in the Print module of Lightroom, either to just view it in Lr, or Print to a printer or a  jpg file that you can use any way you wish.

If you have Photoshop, then with several steps you can create a grid image. (You only need to do this once. you have the grid for all time in the fashion of a "template".)

1. Open a new 12x16in document.

2. Define and Show visual guides for 16 column 12 rows (Landscape)  Menu > View> New Guide Layout

3. Add a new blank layer and use Brush to draw lines on this blank layer using the guides to place the lines.

4. Unlock the Background layer and delete it, leaving only the transparent layer with drawn lines.

5. Save the document as a PNG type file to preserve transparency. (eg.  12x16in Grid ID Plate.png )

In Lightroom Print Module-

1. Select your photo that is cropped  12:16

2. Tick to add an identity plate, select the "Graphic" option and choose the PNG file you saved from Photoshop

3. Click on the Identity plate and drag the corners to exactly cover your photo. (it does not automatically re-size to your photo)

4. View, Print, or save as jpg.

If you do not use Photoshop, another editor might be able to create the Grid, but it MUST have transparency between the lines, otherwise you would not see your photo 'under' the 'Grid' Identity plate.