SNAPGRIDS^® FOR INFLATABLES

REWORK ANSWER Butterfly grids (also known as “butterfly light control grids” or just “grids” for butterflies) are essential in film, photo, and video lighting because they control and shape soft light—especially when you’re working with large diffusion frames (often 8x8, 12x12, etc.).

A soft grid offers several advantages over a hard grid. It’s lightweight, flexible, and easy to transport, making it ideal for quick setups on location or in tight spaces. Soft grids allow you to control light spill while maintaining a smooth, soft light quality, which is perfect for more natural-looking lighting in portraits or cinematography. Unlike hard grids, which are rigid and often bulky, soft grids fold down compactly for convenient storage and quick deployment, giving you flexibility and efficiency on set.

The degree is determined by the size of the cells in the grid, the depth remains constant on all our SNAPGRID^®.

The degree of a SNAPGRID^® —like 30°, 40°, 50°—refers to the beam angle of the light that’s allowed to pass through the grid.

The Degree = Beam Spread

• A lower number (e.g. 30°) means a narrower beam—more directional, more controlled.
• A higher number (e.g. 50°) means a wider beam—less directional, softer edges.
• 30° = Narrow Spread and Tight control
• 40° = Medium Spread and Balanced, general use e.g. Interviews or portraits
• 50° = Wider Spread and Softer, Subtle shaping, large spaces

If you’re choosing one for your butterfly setup, think: how much spill can you afford?

• Need to control it tightly? Go 30°.
• Need more ambient spread but still shaped? Maybe 50°.

BOX CELL Structure:

Pros:

• More directional control — sharper beam edges
• Less spill
• Tighter geometry — useful for lighting edges, faces, backgrounds
• Often better in windy outdoor setups (if made rigid as all the DoPchoice Grids)

Cons:

• May cast harder shadows if the light is too close
• Less forgiving in flex or odd mounting angles

HONEYCOMB Structure:

Pros:

• Smooth light shaping — gentle transitions, organic falloff
• More flexible material (can conform to slightly curved surfaces)

Cons:

• Less rigid in form (especially on large frames)
• Slightly less precise beam control compared to box cells
• Not ideal when ultra-sharp edge control is needed

SQUARE CELL Pattern:

Pros:

• Offers uniform light control in all directions
• Ideal for creating a balanced, even spread of light
• Provides consistent beam shaping regardless of mounting angle
• Works well with square or symmetrical fixtures

Cons:

• May not offer the same directional precision as a rectangular cell pattern
• Can be less effective for controlling light on longer, narrow fixtures or elongated areas

RECTANGULAR CELL Pattern:

Pros:

• Provides more directional control across one axis (longer or narrower beams)
• Great for targeting specific areas, such as backgrounds, edges, or lighting on elongated surfaces
• Ideal for use with rectangular or large-format fixtures, offering precision without wasting light

Cons:

• May create uneven light distribution if not aligned properly
• Less uniform than square cells in certain setups

Disadvantages Interlocking system:

• Less structural rigidity — the grid can sag or deform more easily, especially on large frames (8x8+).
• Edges are weaker — can fray or come apart under tension or over time.
• Setup is fiddlier — you might spend time aligning cells or untangling it.
• Less durable long-term — they don’t like wind or rough handling.

Advantages of the fully sewn cells in every DoPchoice Grid:

• Very stable and precise cell shape — better beam control and cleaner shadows
• Fast setup — unfolds cleanly, no fiddling
• Stronger in wind and movement
• Much more durable — lasts for years, even in rental environments