Excellent typographic layout is an understanding the interrelationships between line increments [leading, ± space before and / or after paragraphs], and image placement with captions and other elements to the baseline grid. The ten typographic variables play a vital role in making all of this work.
To begin; the value of the total line increment will determine the lowest common denominator for “vertical justification” or balancing columns. The key here is that all elements on the page have to be divisible by this LCD. The incremental depth [leading] of the baseline grid, the images, images with captions, sub-heads etc. must all be divisible by this LCD, and cannot be stressed enough, otherwise you will see what is in uneven leading and spacing. Way before computer based algorithms, designers used mathematics to create page grids, it is not difficult. Could there be someway to create the LCD with both horizontal guides and the baseline grid?