How to install hatch patterns in Autocad Mac

[Anonymous]

Hello, 

I am currently working on a project where I need to add drop ceiling to a layout. I have seen many patterns for custom hatched here in the forums. 

Only problem is I have no idea how to add them? My final question is how does someone even make them? I've seen this used a lot with tiles. 

Any help is appreciated! Thank you in advance. 

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

Hi Priscilla,

You can add hatch patterns to AutoCAD for Mac in various ways.

I personally use this way:

1/ Create folder somewhere inside your Home folder

2/ Put your custom hatch patterns  (.pat files) to this folder

3/ Add the folder you created in step #1 to Support Files Search Path on "Application" tab of AutoCAD Preferences Window:

 4/ Now your patterns will appear in Hatch Library Window in "Custom" section:

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@Anonymous wrote:

.....My final question is how does someone even make them? ... 

---

All instructions on creating hatches can be found in Online Help:

https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACDMAC/2021/ENU/?guid=GUID-A6F2E6FF-1717-44B6-A476-0CA817ADD77E

[Anonymous]

Maxim, 

Thank you this worked beautifully!

@maxim_k  

[Anonymous]

@maxim_k 

Hi Max, 

I followed all the directions and it worked great. Except when I try to use the hatches I get this. 

Any idea why? 

This is the hatch pattern I used. 

*ACT-2x4

0,0,0,0,24

90,0,0,0,48

Saved under the same name. 

Thank you again in advance. 

[maxim_k]

>>>>Any idea why?

You cannot use * symbol (asterisk) in file names, rename hatch pattern file to ACT-2x4.pat

[Anonymous]

Hi Max, 

I have done that and revised the pat file. I still get this error. I have also tried other pat files completely unedited. Saved under the same name as a pattern without *. 

And still nothing. I have attached a screenshot of both the pat file and the AutoCAD response. 

Thank you again for all your help! 

@maxim_k 

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

Hatch pattern file should be saved as plain text, but from your screenshot I see that it was saved in Textedit app in RTF format, that is why AutoCAD cannot recognize it.

You need to open .pat file in Textedit.app and select "Make plain text" from menu Format, select OK in the alert:

then save file, change extension to .PAT and test it in AutoCAD.

Don't forget also that there is a carriage return after last line in PAT file.

I attached your pattern file formatted as plain text.

It is inside ZIP archive, so you have to extract "ACT-2x4.pat" from "ACT-2x4.pat.zip" archive I attached.

[Anonymous]

That was it. Sometimes it's hard to understand autocad it is so complex yet the solutions are always so simple I overlook it. 

Thank you. @maxim_k