diff --git a/msi.gama.core/src/msi/gama/util/matrix/GamaField.java b/msi.gama.core/src/msi/gama/util/matrix/GamaField.java
index 978e4843d4..8acfee4dbb 100644
--- a/msi.gama.core/src/msi/gama/util/matrix/GamaField.java
+++ b/msi.gama.core/src/msi/gama/util/matrix/GamaField.java
@@ -341,9 +341,26 @@ public IList<IShape> getCellsIntersecting(final IScope scope, final IShape shape
 			}
 		}
 		return inEnv;
-
 	}
 
+	@Override
+	public IList<IShape> getCellsOverlapping(final IScope scope, final IShape shape) {
+		computeDimensions(scope);
+		Envelope3D env = Envelope3D.of(shape);
+		IList<IShape> inEnv = GamaListFactory.create(Types.GEOMETRY);
+		GamaPoint p = new GamaPoint();
+		for (double i = env.getMinX(); i < env.getMaxX(); i += cellDimensions.x) {
+			for (double j = env.getMinY(); j < env.getMaxY(); j += cellDimensions.y) {
+				p.setLocation(i, j, 0);
+				IShape s = getCellShapeAt(scope, p);
+				if( (s!=null) && (s.intersects(shape)) ){
+					inEnv.add(s);
+				}
+			}
+		}
+		return inEnv;
+	}	
+	
 	@Override
 	public IList<GamaPoint> getLocationsIntersecting(final IScope scope, final IShape shape) {
 		computeDimensions(scope);
diff --git a/msi.gama.core/src/msi/gama/util/matrix/IField.java b/msi.gama.core/src/msi/gama/util/matrix/IField.java
index 242c165ba9..4ae5363aa0 100644
--- a/msi.gama.core/src/msi/gama/util/matrix/IField.java
+++ b/msi.gama.core/src/msi/gama/util/matrix/IField.java
@@ -177,6 +177,16 @@ default void setCellSize(final IScope scope, final GamaPoint size) {
 	 */
 	IList<IShape> getCellsIntersecting(IScope scope, IShape shape);
 
+	/**
+	 * Returns a list of the 'cells' (rectangle shapes) that overlap the geometry passed in parameter
+	 *
+	 * @param scope
+	 * @param shape
+	 * @return
+	 */
+	IList<IShape> getCellsOverlapping(IScope scope, IShape shape);
+	
+	
 	/**
 	 * Gets the locations intersecting.
 	 *
diff --git a/msi.gama.core/src/msi/gaml/types/GamaFieldType.java b/msi.gama.core/src/msi/gaml/types/GamaFieldType.java
index f0d693356e..fc3c7aa1df 100644
--- a/msi.gama.core/src/msi/gaml/types/GamaFieldType.java
+++ b/msi.gama.core/src/msi/gaml/types/GamaFieldType.java
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ public static IShape buildShapeFromFieldLocation(final IScope scope, final IFiel
 	}
 
 	/**
-	 * Gets the shapes from geometry.
+	 * Gets the shapes from geometry (cells with a point inside the geometry).
 	 *
 	 * @param scope the scope
 	 * @param field the field
@@ -284,10 +284,33 @@ public static IShape buildShapeFromFieldLocation(final IScope scope, final IFiel
 			content_type = IType.GEOMETRY,
 			category = { IOperatorCategory.GRID },
 			concept = { IConcept.GRID },
-			doc = { @doc ("Returns the list of 'cells' that 'intersect' with the geometry passed in argument. The cells are ordered by their x-, then y-coordinates") })
+			doc = { @doc ("Returns the list of 'cells' that 'intersect' with the geometry passed in argument. "
+					+ "(Intersection is understood as the cell center is insside the geometry; if the  geometry is a polyline or a point, results will not be accurate."
+					+ "The cells are ordered by their x-, then y-coordinates") })
 	public static IList<IShape> getShapesFromGeometry(final IScope scope, final IField field, final IShape shape) {
 		return field.getCellsIntersecting(scope, shape);
 	}
+	
+	/**
+	 * Gets the shapes from geometry (cells overlapping the geometry).
+	 *
+	 * @param scope the scope
+	 * @param field the field
+	 * @param shape the shape
+	 * @return the shapes from geometry
+	 */
+	@operator (
+			value = "cells_overlapping",
+			can_be_const = false,
+			content_type = IType.GEOMETRY,
+			category = { IOperatorCategory.GRID },
+			concept = { IConcept.GRID },
+			doc = { @doc ("Returns the list of 'cells' that 'overlap' the geometry passed in argument. "
+					+ "It is much less efficient than the cells_in operator, but is relevant is a polynie or a point. "
+					+ "The cells are ordered by their x-, then y-coordinates") })
+	public static IList<IShape> getShapesOverGeometry(final IScope scope, final IField field, final IShape shape) {
+		return field.getCellsOverlapping(scope, shape);
+	}	
 
 	/**
 	 * Gets the values from geometry.