Does anyone here ever help with a pattern?

[tennis4you]

I have a stone pattern from MicroStation that I would like to make an AutoCAD pattern.

 

Seems as if all of the patterns I had in MicroStation created themselves into AutoCAD patterns on their own but this stone pattern which I use a lot. I have the pattern in AutoCAD that is repeatable that creates the pattern, I just cannot figure out how to do it. Does anyone here ever help with creating a pattern file?

 

Thanks!

[tzframpton]

Do you mean a Hatch? I'm assuming a pattern is the same thing as a hatch just different naming conventions between the two programs.

[tennis4you]

Yeah, my brain is still jumbled between the two programs. I need to make a hatch, I believe they are .pat files?

[tzframpton]

Gotcha. Well, I don't have any experience with converting a Microstation pattern file to an AutoCAD hatch pattern. AutoCAD has plenty of default hatch patterns. Are there none similar to what you used in Microstation?

[tennis4you]

It's a stone hatch for exterior elevations like a hatch. I was unimpressed with the default hatches for stone from AutoCAD, but I think most CAD programs do not come with good stone hatches. I made this one from another program when I made it into a MicroStation hatch. But like I said, I have the repeatable area in AutoCAD, I just do not know how to make it a hatch.

[tzframpton]

I'm not sure what you mean when you say "I have the repeatable area in AutoCAD, I just do not know how to make it a hatch". I don't know if you're meaning you do not know how to hatch it at all, or if you're meaning how do you create a custom hatch from a pre-existing set of repeated lines you've already drawn.

 

If you want to hatch something, type H at the command line.

 

If you want to learn how to customize hatches, hit F1 and do a search for customizing hatch patterns, or refer to this link: http://docs.autodesk.com/ACD/2011/ENU/filesACG/WSfacf1429558a55de1a7524c1004e616f8b-3360.htm

 

Hope this helps somewhat. I know you're still having a difficult time getting used to AutoCAD. When one get used to a particular app, it's got to be hard to transition to another one I'm sure.

[tennis4you]

Yeah, it's tough. I have used MicroStation at all 3 architectural firms I worked at as well as college. So that's 14 years of MicroStation and never used AutoCAD. I started my own Architecture firm a week and a half ago and decided to start this firm with AutoCAD. I think it is a smart move for me. I am working at about 80% pace and that's not too shabby, I am quick at CAD so 80% is not killing me right now. I will catch up. This forum has single handedly saved my butt though and has been helping me a ton. I know my questions are annoying but you guys have been awesome! Without you I would have had to go back to MicroStation. So a HUGE thanks to everyone here!

 

The hatch I have from MicroStation is the attached image. This is what you make in MicroStation and then click 2 buttons and you have a custom hatch, it's pretty easy in MicroStation. I have read some stuff in AutoCAD but I cannot figure it out. I was hoping it was as easy as just telling AutoCAD that the .pat file will be nothing but a repeat of the pattern I am showing here.

 

[ReMark]

You might try looking for hatch patterns by Watson Kilbourne a prolific AutoCAD hatch pattern maker. He may have posted something similar at Cadalyst magazine (CAD Tips) and/or have something available online (possibly for a fee? Can't recall.).

 

Why did you elect to use AutoCAD LT and not full AutoCAD? Was it the price?

[tennis4you]

Yeah, as a start up firm it was certainly the price. I have a few friends who are Architects with smaller firms who are using LT and it works well for them. If the benefits are there for me I will not be opposed to getting the full version in time. Need to get my feet under me first though.

[tzframpton]

Google maybe?

 

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&biw=1221&bih=653&q=download+custom+hatch+patterns&aq=f&aqi=g-v1g-b1&aql=&oq=

[tennis4you]

Yeah, I have searched all over the place on Google for a good stone hatches. The really good ones are harder to find than you would think.

[eldon]

Yes, it is a pity that you have not got the full version, then you could use SUPERHATCH out of express tools.

 

I downloaded this hatch at some time from this forum (I think), but its repeated pattern is not so extensive as yours.

[ReMark]

One source for free hatch patterns: http://www.cadcorner.ca/hatch.php

 

By the way, t4u, would your hatch pattern be considered a fieldstone wall?

 

StoneCAD has hatch patterns available for download here: http://www.culturedstone.com/stonecad/

[tennis4you]

I have all of the stoneCAD hatches, I thought they were pretty good. 5 of them will work well with my projects. I was just hoping to score the one I used to use as well.

[ReMark]

What was the hatch pattern name?

[tennis4you]

Wish I knew. Someone at my last firm brought it in after coverting it from a previous program to his ArchiCAD. We just took the drawing and made it a hatch in MicroStation.