topic Re: Possible Hatches in AutoCAD Forum

Possible Hatches

gottfriedjoseph01 — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:19:07 GMT

I'm trying to create hatches that match the cell blocks in the attached drawing. I need to know if what I'm trying to do is possible. I want create hatches that match the array. A block at each end of the line and filled cells that are arrayed 12" 16" 24" and 48" on center. The array should be divided because in it almost impossible to get the blocks to be 16" on center exactly. Measurements 1-3 9-16" is acceptable and preferred. I also have floor trusses shown in green would this possible for floor trusses? Any advice would help thank you very much.

Re: Possible Hatches

Kent1Cooper — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 22:31:05 GMT

-nothing attached-

Re: Possible Hatches

gottfriedjoseph01 — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:10:09 GMT

My apologies.

Re: Possible Hatches

chriscowgill7373 — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:32:39 GMT

Anything that the express tool Superhatch can help with?

Re: Possible Hatches

Kent1Cooper — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:35:48 GMT

What you want to do would be clearer to me in a drawing that shows a closed area of some kind that the proposed Hatch pattern(s) should fill. Hatch patterns repeat in both directions -- would you want something that can make parallel rows of those shapes *, but that you would use only in narrow linear areas so that only one row appears?

In any case, a Hatch pattern cannot have the multiple colors in your drawing, nor be on multiple Layers, nor can it do the solid fill in your peachy-colored dots in the middles, so if you need those aspects, Blocks are the way to go.

You could conceivably get close with a Linetype incorporating Shapes, rather than a Hatch pattern, but again, it would need to be monochrome, and couldn't include true solid filling.

I suspect there's no better option than ARRAYPATH as you've used, with careful control of the path length, or the Measure method instead of the Divide method, if you want accurate spacings. With either Hatch patterns or Linetypes you would need to write a separate definition for every line of stuff in your drawing.

* in other words, the white parts here could be a Hatch pattern [though not a simple one to define]:

Re: Possible Hatches

Kent1Cooper — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:34:24 GMT

@gottfriedjoseph01 wrote:

.... I also have floor trusses shown in green would this possible for floor trusses? ....

On the floor trusses part, would a simple modification of the ANSI32 pattern work for you? It's pairs of parallel lines, separated pair-to-pair by a greater distance than the separation within a pair. Your specific spacings can be built in, presumably at real size so you can use a Hatch scale of 1, and presumably at a native orientation of 0° [or maybe 90°] rather than ANSI32's 45° direction.

[But it won't cap the ends as in your drawing, as part of the Hatch pattern definition.]

Re: Possible Hatches

lauri_barnhart — Fri, 01 May 2026 18:12:07 GMT

Hello @gottfriedjoseph01, thanks for posting in the community!

Did the information provided by @Kent1Cooper help?

If yes, please mark the reply as the accepted solution.

This helps other users benefit from the information.

If the issue persists, let us know with an update so we can assist further.

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Lauri | Community Manager

Re: Possible Hatches

gottfriedjoseph01 — Wed, 13 May 2026 16:17:30 GMT

Would the modification cover the different size members? We sometimes callout floor systems that could LVLs that are 1-3/4" thick or beams or 3-1/2". Also would your modifcation account for the different spacing that we may call out, i,e. 8" o.c. 12" o.c. 16" o.c. ? I'm open to your suggestion but these are some of things I have to consider.

Re: Possible Hatches

Kent1Cooper — Wed, 13 May 2026 17:02:13 GMT

If done as Hatch patterns, you would need a separate pattern definition for each combination of member width and spacing. But that's not difficult -- two lines each:

0, 0,0, 0,spacing

0, 0,memberwidth, 0,spacing

Use decimal numbers [no fractions]. I leave it to you to decide what to call them. When used at zero rotation, the lines will be horizontal, and the pattern origin will be on the lower edge line of a joist/beam pair. Use at a Hatch scale of 1.

You could add the pen-down-pen-up sequence to the ends of the code lines, or just use them as defined without dashes/gaps, but on a Layer with the desired linetype, and have the HPLINETYPE System Variable turned ON.

[An AutoLisp routine could even be made that would ask you for the member width and spacing, and create the definition for you. But assuming typical construction, the possibilities are limited, so it's probably not worth building such a routine.]

EDIT: There would be [very limited] possibilities to use the same pattern in more than one situation. The ratio between member width and spacing would need to be the same. For example, a pattern defined for 1-3/4"-wide members at 12" C-C spacing could also be used, at a Hatch scale of 2, for 3-1/2"-wide members at 24" C-C.

Re: Possible Hatches

gottfriedjoseph01 — Wed, 13 May 2026 19:58:29 GMT

You kind of lost me with that explanation can you explain a little differently please.