Hatch definition: swatch/icon/tab preview scale; root scale; custom list order

[Jooogyerek]

Hi for everyone.

I’m currently working on a custom hatch pattern package (filled in the acadiso.pat) consisting of basic/built in pattern from AC ENG, CZ, from CZ, ES, ENG extensions and some additional custom (mostly architectural) patterns.

I have run into 3 problems so far:

1. The swatches/preview icons in Hatch Pattern Palette and on the Ribbon preview are either too dense or sparse. In BHATCH panel it looks okay but I don’t use that window.

Is there a way to adjust the scale of these preview icons/swatches?

1. I am about to change the basic/root scale for some of the hatches. I tried to edit the .pat files manually in notepad but I can't find the commands/codes for adjusting the root scale. I also tried using software HatchKit for that but the trial version leaves a watermark in the pattern definition.

Is there an easy way to manage the scale of individual patterns? For example by adding a short command/code in the .PAT file or something similar.

1. The hatches in Ribbon’s preview windows appear in alphabetical order. Is there a way make them appear in non-alphabetical order, like the order I set in the .PAT file?

By the way, happy New Year to everybody!

[Sea-Haven]

I can only answer root scale if you look at acad.pat & acadiso.pat the numbers are different. Inches v's say mm.

*ANGLE,Angle steel
0, 0, 0, 0, 6.985, 5.08, -1.905
90, 0, 0, 0, 6.985, 5.08, -1.905
*ANGLE, Angle steel
0, 0,0, 0,.275, .2,-.075
90, 0,0, 0,.275, .2,-.075

If you bring your pattern definition into say excel you may be able to apply a root scale factor. and write a string with the relevant numbers.

You say you uses acadiso it has a underlying scale factor, the acad.pat is a bit easier its based around a lot 1/8" 0.125 of an inch.

Look at *AR-PARQ1, 2x12 Parquet flooring: pattern of 12x12 ACAD.PAT

90,      0,0,      12,12,                        12,-12
90,      2,0,      12,12,                        12,-12

*AR-PARQ1, 2x12 parquet flooring: pattern of 12x12 Acadiso.pat
90, 0, 0, 304.8, 304.8, 304.8, -304.8
90, 50.8, 0, 304.8, 304.8, 304.8, -304.8

Very simple here to work out scale 12"=304.8 mm. 2"=50.8 mm

Yeah a bit of trial and error.

For simple identification *AR-PARQ3, 300x300 Parquet flooring: pattern of 300x300

90, 0, 0, 300.0, 300.0, 300.0, -300.0
90, 50.0, 0, 300.0, 300.0, 300.0, -300.0

Re images an Autocad quirk lots of undocumented stuff or hard to find.

[Jooogyerek]

Thanks for the response.

I tried out your suggested method. I read about it actually before.

Currently this is my approach which seems to work:
- In Excel I open the PAT file, choose Delimited and File origin – Central European (Windows), then Comma delimiter, Colum data format – General
- Copy the number which with I want to multiply the patter, select the cells of the pattern (except the first colum of the angles), right click on the selection, Paste special…, multiply and ok.
- Repeat.
- Then save the file as CSV
- Rename the CSV file to Acadiso.PAT.

The annoying problem with this method is when the file is saved to CSV the Excel adds comma delimiters/separators from the empty cells too and that causes the patterns to go crazy. So I have to open it with Word/WordPad, find the commas in the wrong places and delete them.
I couldn’t find any options so far which won’t create comma separators between the empty cells.

With the current progress I just can’t determine which approach is faster or less complex. Each of them can breed complications and errors.

[Sea-Haven]

Using word record a macro replace

,,,,,

,,,,

,,,

,, 

blink and you missed it fixing.

just insert your file into the macro doc.

You can write a macro in excel also using concatenate and make a column that is the csv file ignore blank cells when making.

[Jooogyerek]

Works like a charm, Thank you.

By the way, last night I figured out how to save/export without the commas… but in the morning I couldn’t remember… [sigh]

Anyway, I consider you have resolved my first problem. If I accept your answer as a solution, will that close/end this post?

(Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to ask 3 questions in one topic…)

Does anyone have any idea about the other two questions?

[Sea-Haven]

For the order the obvious is xname but then you Have a number in front of the name. You may be able to have a extended character as the 1st character some can be invisible. Try 191+ ie alt+0191 depends on font. ì í î ï

[Jooogyerek]

Changing the names of the hatch pattern definitions is not an option for us sadly.
A lot of patterns were used in older projects and we want to keep the backward compatibility. If I change the patterns name and open an older drawing the hatches will appear with missing definitions.

I would do it actually if is there an option where the AC automatically substitutes the missing definition with another. (For example by writing some code in the .pat file to replace pattern A with B)

P.S: Yes, I know now that macros can be made in AC too and probably there is a solution to replace for example even the embedded hatches in the blocks but as I see it would mean to initiate al the colleagues and set up their WS. (It is already hard to convince them to use… for example some juicy LISP routines)
Also I don’t want to edit the archived files.