Hatch problems

[kiwi]

Greetings
I'm using AutoCad 2002, and have the following challenge. I'm trying to fill an odd shape with hatch. I have selected the objects to hatch, and then get the following message: Unable to fill boundary with solid.
I can draw a circle, or a rectangle and it will fill, but when I draw a polygon, all I get is the unable to fill message. Where have I gone wrong.

Thanks

[f700es]

Greetings
I'm using AutoCad 2002, and have the following challenge. I'm trying to fill an odd shape with hatch. I have selected the objects to hatch, and then get the following message: Unable to fill boundary with solid.
I can draw a circle, or a rectangle and it will fill, but when I draw a polygon, all I get is the unable to fill message. Where have I gone wrong.

Thanks

Silly question but when you are finished drawing the polygon do you simply end the line on the starting point or do you type "C" for "close"? Can't remember if that makes a difference in r2002 but I always hit c for close when I am doing a polyline.

[daiharv]

Yup, this does make a difference in 2002.

If you don't want to re-draw your polygon you could select it and go to properties and select "yes" under closed.

[kiwi]

Thanks for the two replies so far. Unfortunately, this didn't solve my problem. I drew a polygon and closed it as suggested, did the hatch with a solid fill, and got the original message. However, using other fill patterns did work. I have in the past done hatching using solid fill and it has worked with no problems. But not now! don't know what has changed, or what! I also drew a polygon, and didn't "close it. It drew the hatch with "other patterns" but not with the solid fill.

Any more thoughts?!

[Spageddie]

:glare: How far are you from the origin ??

[kiwi]

Hi Eddie

I'm not sure I understand just what you mean.Please explain to this novice.
Thanks

[tplarkin7]

Whenever I have trouble hatching a boundary, I make sure that all of the points are on the same plane. Use "flatten" (express tools) to put the boundary at 0,0,0.

Also, draw a temporary line (or XLINE) thru the boundary to break up the areas.

I have had to draw many XLINEs thru areas in order for them to hatch.

Final tip, never use associative hatches.

EDIT:

Final Final Tip, unloading xrefs before hatching makes hatching easier on the CPU. This can make a real difference to avoid corrupting the drawing and hatching will be less buggy.

Final Final Final Tip, zoom in as close as possible to the boundary when picking points for hatching.

[kiwi]

thanks guys,
haven't got it sorted out yet, but other things have reared their head, so must put this problem on the backburner. I'll work on it as/when I have time!

[kiwi]

Just to let you know, I think I have the problem solved :)
Thanks to those of you who offered suggestions

[Kate M]

Can you tell us how you solved it?

[Spageddie]

8) Kiwi... to help you understand what I was asking...

The origin is co-ordinates 0,0,0

Hatching screwing up is what can sometimes happens when you are working too far from this origin, but i'm talking about working out co-ords 1500000+

[kiwi]

thanks for the responce, Eddie.
I get what you are saying about being too far away from the origin.
I am within 6 inches, so thats not the problem.

I found that using a combination of "Pick Points" and "Select Objects" got me out of trouble. Probably not the elegant or correct method, but....!
I'm not a power user of AutoCad, but use it on and off for various work projects.
Thanks again :)