PRE-SELECTING AN OBJECT FOR HATCH

[zimmerroo]

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!

[zimmerroo]

@tramber -

I find it silly all of the "work around" solutions being thrown out in this thread.  For me it's simple.  I used to be fast and effective by using this pre-select technique, and whether it is a bug or a intentional change in 2016, it frustrates me that AutoCad would remove this function, instead of leaving it for us old dogs, and "adding" additional options for the newer dogs.  I've even tried writing a LISP function that would let me bring this back...but I haven't been successful with this. 

Personally, I think it's a piece of code that accidentally got removed, or is broken, and will probably be fixed in future generations.  Unfortunately for me, 2016 will be the last version I own...as I will not buy into AutoCad's subscription option, which would give me the latest and greatest version of Cad. But that's for another discussion thread.

[zimmerroo]

@john.vellek -

Thank you for the hatching tutorial.  Unfortunately it does not address my original issue.

[john.vellek]

HI @zimmerroo,

My prior post indicates the method that is as-designed for current product. I am sorry if it doesn't match your workflow exactly. Perhaps you should post your request in the Customization forum to see if someone can "reverse-engineer" a solution for you.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> I've even tried writing a LISP function

(defun C:HH() (command "_-HATCH" "SEL" "_P" "" ""))

Now command HH hatches your selected object (not tested in case you have not selected anything hatchable when starting the command 😉 ).

- alfred -

[RobDraw]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

@tramber -

I find it silly all of the "work around" solutions being thrown out in this thread.

---

That's not a nice way to thank the people trying to help you. Your methodology is considered backwards by many, but no one said anything about it being "silly". From day one in front of AutoCAD, I was taught to initiate a command and then make my selection. Selecting first may not have even been an option, but I can't remember, it was so long ago.

[RobDraw]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

@tramber -

Personally, I think it's a piece of code that accidentally got removed, or is broken, and will probably be fixed in future generations.

---

Once again, someone stuck in a particular workflow blames Autodesk without a leg to stand on.

[zimmerroo]

Thanks Alfred!  I'll give that LISP a shot.

[ВeekeeCZ]

This could be done. Not with (old) dialog, just with ribbon.

You can preselect objects, then hit X for closing the command.

The video shows the situation without preselection as well... just a regular "new" workflow.

http://autode.sk/2eAUWC3

Here is the code for it.

Spoiler

(defun c:HatchObjects (/ ss enl)
  (if (setq ss (ssget "_I" '((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)))
    (progn
      (initcommandversion)
      (command "_.HATCH")))
  (princ)
)

[GrantsPirate]

Add this simple macro to your shortcut menu for edit in the CUI.  Pick an object, right click, pick the item you just added, hatch done.

bhatch;s;p;;;

or for separate hatches in case more than one object is picked.

-BHATCH;S;P;;A;H;Y;;;

[tramber]

I really agree with anybody saying that it is good to find and to suggest a workaround. And it is even better with a macro, LT compatible.

But normally, it should be like it was before in our system without any customisation. I myself don't use ribbon.

It is a bug, I'm saying it again.

I'm quite sure that I began with this functionnality in 1999. As a customer, it is not a big deal, but I would be pleased to find it again once I have installed the soft.

[arhariefrh]

I have the same problem here. And worst, I can't install Autocad 2010 on my new PC. Sad.

It was far faster to pre-select the objects first, then H, space, space, space. Boom! done in blink of an eye.
You don't even have the time to think.

I always select the object first before any modifier commands. Move, scale, mirror, copy, block, etc (even WipeOut).

[gaweinls]

I run in to the same problem.

It's is not people being stuck in an "old" workflow. For me it's an optimal workflow for repeating commands.

Selectselectselect, enter, enter, enter... Selectselectselect, enter, enter, enter... So everything is hatched and then matchprop to give the different hatches the desired properties (matchprop from a legend for example).

I'm not a ribbon / button clicker and still use a lot of commands and shortcuts to avoid unnescessarily navigating my cursor all over the screen.

I too would be very happy if Autodesk could add this function again 🙂 Or if there would be a sysvar to correct this behavior.  

[gaweinls]

I run in to the same problem.

It's is not people being stuck in an "old" workflow. For me it's an optimal workflow for repeating commands.

Selectselectselect, enter, enter, enter... Selectselectselect, enter, enter, enter... So everything is hatched and then matchprop to give the different hatches the desired properties (matchprop from a legend for example).

I'm not a ribbon / button clicker and still use a lot of commands and shortcuts to avoid unnescessarily navigating my cursor all over the screen.

I too would be very happy if Autodesk could add this function again 🙂 Or if there would be a sysvar to correct this behavior.  

[tramber]

Guys (and girls) ! You are my friends.

I'm someone serious on Autocad topics. I even can tell that many people know me in my country to be a Nimbus, an autocad crazy man, since 2000.

I TELL EVERYBODY THAT IT IS A BUG !

a bug making old people like me (those who refuse to give up an old good and fast habit) nut. (is this correct ? "nut" ?)

In that, I still don't understand that my mates (webfriends in my country) under-react.

[gaweinls]

My problem is also that after running the hatch command there is no flexibility for making a selection.

It seems the only option is to start selecting all the pick points and or objects one by one.

Whereas with the "old" workflow you could make your selection in a smart way and then apply the hatch.

For instance I want to hatch everything that's concrete. I select one polyline border in the layer of the concrete, apply selectsimilar and then hatch.

This way all my concrete polyline objects would be filled in at once.

Now I have to hatch and then start selecting everything by clicking each pick point and or object which is a very tedious process if you have lot areas that need to be hatched.

Does anyone have tips and tricks on how to hatch a lot of similar objects at once?

[danman_enterprises]

You can select what you want to hatch, then go into the hatch dialog and then when you go back to select objects type "P" to select the previously selected objects. Just so we're clear this is an extra unnecessary step which was not required in older autocads.

My own personal solution has been to use autocad lt 2010, I also have the full version of autocad 2016 installed and I use it when I want to plot a hatch with transparency. but I draw everything with LT 2010. If anyone has a way of doing transparent hatches in LT 2010 then I would uninstall 2016 😛 

[tramber]

@danman_enterprises, I won't kudo you 'cause everybody tells me about this solution (P as Previous) as if I did'nt know how to use Acad (joking)

If an Adesk manager ever read us and ever answer us that "promise, We'll put it in a 2015 (at least) to today bug list", 'll give him 100 kudos !

To answer a bit some previous postes, I personnally use the H command but also the -H command.

With or wihtout box.

No ribbon at my house, but everybody is free.

[RobDraw]

You say it's a bug.

AutoDesk says it works as designed.

Who am I to believe?

[gaweinls]

@tramber Working with cad 2017 and still no fix for our inconvenience so don't get your hopes up to hand out a 100 kudo's.

[gaweinls]

If this was intentional I would encourage the designers / programmers to test workflow and think twice next time. Why would you limit flexibility or add extra steps into a process that works just fine?...

This will be my last post concerning the subject, hope Autodesk catches the subject en re-evaluates for the future. The "P" trick works for now and I don't want to flood the forum with meaningless comments. As this forum is not a wailing wall but a place for constructive thinking.   Thx all for the input!