topic PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH in AutoCAD Forum

PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

zimmerroo — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 00:51:27 GMT

Hello,

My previous version of AutoCAD (2007) allowed me to choose the items I wanted to hatch first, then when I entered the Hatch command, all I had to do was selectt OK, and the objects would be hatched. Simple!

Does anyone know how re-create this? Is there a setting I need to change?

To be clear, now when I pre-select an object, and type "hatch", it takes me to the dialog box, but I need to "re-select" the object, where in the previos version all I had to do was hit "OK", and it would hatch the pre-selected object.

Your help with this is much appreciated!

Re: PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

Alfred.NESWADBA — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 07:42:01 GMT

Hi,

>> when I entered the Hatch command, all I had to do was selectt OK, and the objects would be hatched. Simple!

Then you had a tool, which did that for you, ootb it was not possible, you always had to select objects or show point within the hatch dialog (so after you started the command). And yes... just tried it with AutoCAD 2007 😉

When you had a tool which did that, maybe you can use the same tool with your current AutoCAD release.

- alfred -

Re: PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

ВeekeeCZ — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 09:44:20 GMT

preselection > hatch (or -hatch if that goes into modal dialog) > p > enter

Re: PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

zimmerroo — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 16:11:51 GMT

Sorry, I guess I need to explain this a bit further:

previously, I could pre-select an object. Then when I entered the "hatch" command, the object(s) I wanted to hatch were already selected. However, This option no longer works. Now, even if I have preselected an object, once I enter into the hatch command, I have to re-select the objects by going thru the "Add: Select Objects" button.

I'm trying to bypass the current protocol and recreate the previous ability to "pre-select" an object to hatch.

Your help is appreciated.

Re: PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

zimmerroo — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 16:14:46 GMT

By the way,

This techqniue used to work with "hatchedit" too. But no longer works this way.

It seems like it would be a simple toggle to adjust. But I've tried "PICKFIRST", and that is not it.

Re: PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

ВeekeeCZ — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 18:00:45 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

By the way,

This techqniue used to work with "hatchedit" too. But no longer works this way.

It seems like it would be a simple toggle to adjust. But I've tried "PICKFIRST", and that is not it.

I cannot confirm this behaviour - @Alfred.NESWADBA tried, but not succes. Even I can't imagine this - in ADAC 2007 was no RIBBON, so the HATCH command used the old non-modal dialog... (which you can have back - HPDLGMODE 1)

Anyway, because I don't know any magic sysvar... I've offered you simple workaround... with typing "P".

But if you really want this functionality and you have full acad, you can use this simple lisp I made for you... called QHATCH. (for ACAD 2012+, with HPDLGMODE 2 or 0)

(defun c:QHATCH (/ ss)
  (initcommandversion)
  (if (setq ss (ssget "_I"))
    (command "_.HATCH" ss)
    (command "_.HATCH"))
  (princ)
)

Re: PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

zimmerroo — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 18:10:38 GMT

Hmmm...not sure what I'm doing incorrectly. I tried running your lisp routine, but it's not hatching a pre-selected object.

To be clear:

1. I select an object.

2. Run the "QHATCH" lisp routine.

3. Object should be already selected and ready for hatching....but it is not. And there is no option for me to type "P".

Re: PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

ВeekeeCZ — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 18:47:44 GMT

Yes. Make sure that PICKFIRST 1.

It probably worked like you remember before... This

Re: PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

zimmerroo — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 18:58:49 GMT

OK. I see what you are doing now. I run my hatching thru the dialog box. So that's why "P" isn't working for me.

So when I used to "pre-select" an object, when I opened up the hatch dialog box, it was already selected. That's what I'm trying to duplicate.

Re: PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 08:37:06 GMT

Hi I have the same observation. Not just on hatching. But on all commands. Previously it is such an ease selecting objects first before before you enter a command. Now, it doesn't seem to work anymore. I wish they would bring it back.

Re: PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

Alfred.NESWADBA — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 14:57:33 GMT

Hi,

>> Not just on hatching. But on all commands. Previously it is such an ease selecting

>> objects first before before you enter a command

set PICKFIRST to 1

- alfred -

Re: PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

zimmerroo — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 15:25:52 GMT

Hi Alfred --

It doesn't work (like it used to). Try it! Set "PICKFIRST" to 1. Then select that object. Type in "HATCH". While the object appears to be selected, it is not pre-selected for the command. You have to reselect it in order to hatch it.

This is not how it was in prev. versions. I miss this function. I used to select various objects, then enter the hatch command, and I could immediately "preview" the hatch.

But this is No more.

Re: PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

Alfred.NESWADBA — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 16:45:39 GMT

Hi,

>> t doesn't work (like it used to). Try it! Set "PICKFIRST" to 1. Then select that object. Type in "HATCH"

My answer was not to your initial post, my answer was in reply to anselQ5E4T for the statement "But on all commands. Previously it is such an ease selecting objects first before before you enter a command".

- alfred -

Re: PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 00:59:24 GMT

great. It works. Big thanks!

Re: PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

danman_enterprises — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 00:22:00 GMT

Just installed Autocad 2016 and the new steps of having to type "P" then enter to re-select the objects I want to hatch is frustrating me!!
This is how hatching works in Autocad LT 2010, can I make 2016 do this?
Step 1: Select object to hatch, type "H" press enter.

Step 2: Click "Add: Select objects" (Note: Pre-selected object still selected)

Step 3: Object has been added, no need to type "P" then enter. Just click "OK"

Object Hatched!

Re: PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

ВeekeeCZ — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 08:50:41 GMT

Probably can't be easily changed. Even setting HPDLGMODE to 1, which brings the old dialog back, does not accepts pre-selected objects.

Only solution I see is using some kind of routine to help. Try following. This fills selected object with a default hatch settings, then it selects new hatches to allow the user to change the parameters from ribbon.

(defun c:HatchObjects (/ ss enl)
  (if (setq ss (ssget '((0 . "LWPOLYLINE,CIRCLE"))))
    (progn
      (setq enl (entlast))
      (command "_.-HATCH" "_S" ss "" "")
      (setq ss (ssadd))
      (while (setq enl (entnext enl)) (if (entget enl) (ssadd enl ss)))
      (if (/= 0 (sslength ss)) (sssetfirst nil ss))))
  (princ)
)

See HERE how to use lisp.

Re: PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

danman_enterprises — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 01:11:09 GMT

Ok I've found a better solution. I've gone back to using AutoCAD LT 2010. It is quicker and smarter than AutoCAD 2016!
The only advantage that 2016 has is plotting transparency. So I now do all the work in 2010 and if I need to plot transparency I open 2016, plot the file and then go back to 2010.

Thanks for trying to help!

Re: PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

tramber — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 06:56:13 GMT

Since the new behaviour of Hatch, I consider that as a bug, just as az.

I was myself used to select objects before hatching and have to hit P like anyone today, but I find it's a pitty.

Re: PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

RobDraw — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 11:02:02 GMT

@danman_enterprises wrote:

Ok I've found a better solution. I've gone back to using AutoCAD LT 2010. It is quicker and smarter than AutoCAD 2016!
The only advantage that 2016 has is plotting transparency. So I now do all the work in 2010 and if I need to plot transparency I open 2016, plot the file and then go back to 2010.

You obviously aren't aware of all the other enhancements since 2010.

Q: Why are people so quick to bash the program when the problem can be solved with a simple change in workflow?

A: Because they are resistant to change.

I wonder how they use new features into their workflow...

Re: PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

john.vellek — Fri, 14 Oct 2016 16:30:52 GMT

Hi @zimmerroo,

I find I don't really need to pre-select items anymore because hatch automatically tries to detect boundaries for your hatch. So, if you move your cursor inside the item you want to hatch, start the hatch command, it will automatically find the area and preview the hatch and let you accept or change it.