Michael’s Corner

Michael's Corner is a monthly publication written by Michael E. Beall, Autodesk Authorized Author and peripatetic AutoCAD trainer. Michael travels all over the USA, bringing his fantastic experience and great understanding of AutoCAD to his clients. Michael's Corner brings together many of the tips, tricks and methods developed during these training sessions for the benefit of all users.

Michael's Corner provides something for every AutoCAD user. Every month, a number of articles cover a wide range of topics, suitable for users at all levels, including "The Basics" for those just starting out. Essentially, the aim of Michael's Corner is to help all AutoCAD users work smarter and faster.

This month…

From the Vault

Originally published April 2010

An Introduction to the AutoCAD^® 2011 Hatch Updates

Absolutely striking. That was my initial thought when I positioned my cursor over the area to hatch… and a dynamic preview appeared in the area before I even clicked!

Add to that the new contextual tab, and hatches are a whole new ballgame. I've put the new features in a different color in case you're just looking for the new stuff.

‘Hatch Creation’ Tab Panel Review

Here's a review of the panels you will find on the Hatch Creation tab after launching the Hatch command.

Boundaries

Standard methods of selecting boundaries, Pick Points, Select Boundary Objects. There is an expanded panel containing features for hatch editing.

Pattern

If the hatch type is set to ‘Pattern’ click Hatch Pattern to select from the graphic ‘Ribbon Gallery’ of all hatch patterns.

Properties [START HERE]

This is where you would typically begin configuring your hatch.

Pattern: Hatch type selection: Solid, Gradient, Pattern, User Defined
Color: Pick a color for the hatch, although I always recommend ByLayer
Background Color: You can now specify a background color that is, essentially, a Solid hatch with your pattern.
Hatch Transparency: Adjust the transparency of the hatch color. In this image, the color of the hatch layer was black and I used a Solid pattern with a transparency value of 83.
Angle: Use the slider or enter a value for the hatch
Spacing/Scale: Specify the Spacing for a User-defined hatch or the Scale for a Pattern.
Double: The expanded Properties panel contains the option for Double.

Origin

The expanded Origin panel contains icons for the 6 selectable options. If you click Set Origin (the primary option for that panel), then specify an origin for the hatch, the dynamic preview immediately updates the hatch position. Very nice.

Options

The expanded Options panel provides settings for features shown here. To apply a hatch in an area with furniture or equipment, set the Island Detection value to Ignore Island Detection. Use Create Separate Hatches to maintain independence of each hatch object. The tiny arrow in the lower right corner opens the Hatch and Gradient dialog box from previous versions.

Dynamic Preview

After specifying your hatch parameters, when you position your cursor in the area to be hatched, a preview of the hatch is automatic, by default. Very cool! The hatch in this figure has a background color applied.

Important Note: If the objects bounding the hatch have a Thickness, the Dynamic Preview feature will not work. This may be the case with drawings from architects who have created 3D walls, but receive the drawing in plan view. The preview feature works great as long as the Thickness (or Z-value) of the bounding objects are 0″.

Placing the Hatch

With the dynamic preview feature on, as you are specifying the parameters of your hatch, the command line is just waiting for you with the prompt shown here:

Pick internal point or [Select objects/seTtings]:

Once you click in the area to be hatched (having seen the preview of the result), you then get the following series of responses at the command line:

Selecting everything...
Selecting everything visible...
Analyzing the selected data...
Analyzing internal islands...
Pick internal point or [Select objects/seTtings]:

Curiously, you still have the final prompt to ‘Pick internal point’. You will need to either right-click, press [Enter], or even Esc to accept the hatch placement.

Variables of Note

HPDLGMODE <2>
The default value of 2 for the ‘Hatch Parameter Dialog Mode’ means you get the contextual Hatch Creation tab when you launch the Hatch command. To use the Hatch command the way it was in previous versions, set it to <1>… but at least play with the Ribbon features before you set it back to the old way.

HPQUICKPREVIEW <ON>
Depending upon a myriad of conditions - size of drawing, speed of CPU, source of the drawing, complexity of the area being hatched, yadayada - you may find this feature to be helpful, or not so much. Your call. You will have to enter this setting manually because I didn't see a setting on either the Ribbon or the dialog box.

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