# Ground

## <img src="https://3375153115-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F5uhW8FwQpXQj8tHUULMo%2Fuploads%2FbKXMbNUaA5ViraE1yvFQ%2FG3_03_RENDER_PANEL_GROUND.png?alt=media&#x26;token=8bc39518-be2b-45e0-8cc5-7524d96bd5fc" alt="" data-size="line"> Ground

The GroundPlane command opens the Ground Plane panel.

The ground plane provides an infinite horizontal platform for the image that stretches to the horizon in all directions positioned at a defined elevation. A ground plane renders much faster than using a surface as a background. Any material can be assigned to the ground plane.

The ground plane does not display in [Technical](https://docs.mcneel.com/rhino/8/help/en-us/options/view_displaymode_options.htm#Technical) or [Wireframe](https://docs.mcneel.com/rhino/8/help/en-us/options/view_displaymode_options.htm#Wireframe) display modes.

**On:** Turns on the ground plane.

**Show underside:** Allows the "back" of the ground plane to be visible when viewed from below. Otherwise, the underside is transparent

**Height above world XY plane:** Sets the ground plane's height above the xy plane.

* **Automatic:** Turns on auto-elevation that moves Ground Plane to the lowest point of the objects in the model. New objects added to the scene may change Ground Plane elevation. Auto-elevation ignores non-meshable\* object types.

**Effect**

**Shadow only:** Makes the ground plane transparent, but allows shadows to still be cast on it.

**Use a material:** Assigns a material to the ground plane and edits the material. For information on setting a material, see [Materials](https://docs.mcneel.com/rhino/8/help/en-us/commands/materials.htm).

**Texture mapping:** These settings apply when a texture applied to the ground plane.

**X/Y Offset (units):** Specifies the offset distance in units from 0,0,0.

**X/Y Size (units):** Specifies the size in units of the texture.

**Rotation:** Specifies the rotation angle of the texture from 0.