topic Re: Saving Hatch file in AutoCAD Forum

Saving Hatch file

apanbasu — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 03:14:12 GMT

I am running AutoCAD 2018 version. I have downloaded a hatch file and my Google search told me to save that file in PAT folder. I could not find that folder. Can anybody guide me the location of the folder or guide me how to save the file?

Thanks

Re: Saving Hatch file

Patchy — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 04:03:22 GMT

There has never been a PAT folder come with Autocad.

Why not put the new .pat you have in the SUPPORT folder.

Shut down Autocad and restart.

It will work

Re: Saving Hatch file

Michiel.Valcke — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 06:15:53 GMT

Any folder that is a part of the folders in the Support File Search Path will suffice. Use the command OPTIONS to get to the below screen.

You can place your hatch patterns in one of those folders or you can add the URL of the folder where you keep your hatch patterns to the list.

Re: Saving Hatch file

paullimapa — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 15:41:03 GMT

In addition to the solutions others have already provided you here, I would also add that you should save a copy of this newly downloaded hatch pattern file in a location that is outside of the AutoCAD folder structure. This way as you install newer versions of AutoCAD, you can go back to this saved location and copy the hatch pattern file into the support folder again. Another option would be after each AutoCAD installation, add the folder location to the Support path. This way you can choose the hatch pattern to edit in the drawing again.

Re: Saving Hatch file

apanbasu — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 02:34:50 GMT

Thank you all for the suggestions. I have saved under support and also the other file and the .pat file is not showing up. I am not sure the file is corrupted or not. I tried to attache the pat file but the system will not allow the file to be attached.

Thanks again for all of your suggestions. I will keep on digging.

Re: Saving Hatch file

paullimapa — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 02:39:13 GMT

use a compression program like the free 7-zip Download (7-zip.org) to compress the hatch pattern file and then you can upload that for everyone to help you examine the integrity of the hatch pattern file.

Re: Saving Hatch file

paullimapa — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 02:45:26 GMT

and in case you're downloading incompatible pat files, here's a website that allows you to download many for free that's compatible with AutoCAD: Free AutoCAD Hatch Patterns | CADHatch

They're all saved as zipped files when downloaded so you'll have to extract the *.pat file out and follow instructions on saving them to location where AutoCAD can access: How to install custom hatch patterns in AutoCAD | AutoCAD | Autodesk Knowledge Network

Re: Saving Hatch file

Kent1Cooper — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 11:30:37 GMT

@paullimapa wrote:

use a compression program ....

There's no need to download anything. Windows will do it for you. Right-click on the file, and choose these:

That will put it into a .ZIP file that you can attach here.

Re: Saving Hatch file

apanbasu — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 16:24:19 GMT

Here is the file.

I have said many times and say that again - without you guys I won't be able to be here. I am 86 years old and I was first exposed to AutoCAD 14 or 16. I learned AutoCAD by myself and I do not do regular drafting. But review drawings and make any small corrections and then seal and sign.

Occasionally, I get stopped and that is when I come to forum for help.

I always got the help.

Thank you. Thank you.

Re: Saving Hatch file

Patchy — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 16:55:15 GMT

I'm sure what you have is a copy cat of the Softdesk, and it said you can't use it with out softdesk license.

Re: Saving Hatch file

Kent1Cooper — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 17:02:20 GMT

@Patchy wrote:

.... it said you can't use it with out softdesk license.

I can't get it to work, either, but do you think they have a way of making it not work without a license from them? I can't imagine how....

Re: Saving Hatch file

Patchy — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 17:06:17 GMT

It needs a slide.

Re: Saving Hatch file

paullimapa — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 17:22:25 GMT

Worked for me but had to put in a huge scale

Re: Saving Hatch file

Kent1Cooper — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 17:47:21 GMT

@Patchy wrote:

It needs a slide.

How would that make any difference? There's nothing I can think of in the world of Hatching that could make the usability of a .PAT file in AutoCAD dependent on the presence of a .SLD file [or any other kind]. Patterns that come with AutoCAD don't have them. What would be the "switch" mechanism?

@apanbasu, does it make any difference if you include that pattern definition inside ACAD.PAT, rather than as a separate file? [If you add it at the end, be sure the file ends with a blank line, not with the end of the code.]

Re: Saving Hatch file

Patchy — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 18:03:12 GMT

I've not used this any of these wood patterns, both files are in the old backup from softdesk folder.

There are other slides for wood pattern, why do they need them?

Re: Saving Hatch file

paullimapa — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 18:09:44 GMT

Back in those days custom hatch patterns would be presented in swatches inside dialog boxes so slides would be used to present to the users how they look like so they can choose from the DCL. But since Autodesk redesigned AutoCAD to generate the slides on the fly within the custom hatch window the needs for separate slide files are eliminated

Re: Saving Hatch file

apanbasu — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 19:47:09 GMT

Reply to all:

As I said in my previous mail that my knowledge of AutoCAD is very limited. I will download the wood hatch from the suggested site and see whether or not I cam make that work.

I am working on a project where I am bringing return air below the stage. Initially I started with slot grill wrapping the stage and then I thought it may enhance the look if I have vertical wooden slots wrapping the front of the stage. Slots will be spaced. And that is when I was looking for wood hatch to give 2-D view of the stage to the Architect.

I will mark this as a resolved issue. If I get into trouble again - I know where to come.

Thank you all.