How to Hatch on Vectorworks?

Understanding Hatching in Vectorworks

Hatching is an essential feature in Vectorworks that allows users to fill areas with patterns or colors, enhancing the visual representation of designs. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to apply and manipulate hatching in Vectorworks.

Creating a Hatch

1. Access the Resource Manager:
   Locate the Resource Manager within your workspace. If it’s not visible, you can access it via the Window menu by selecting Palettes and then Resource Browser.

2. Initiate a New Hatch:
   In the Resource Manager, look for an option labeled “New Resource.” Select Hatch from the dropdown menu, and confirm by clicking Create. Alternatively, you can navigate to the Hatches resource type and choose to create a new hatch there.

3. Confirm and Customize:
   After clicking Create, a dialog box will appear. Simply click OK to confirm the creation. You can now customize the hatch according to your design needs.

Making an Associative Hatch

1. Open the Command Line:
   At the Command prompt, type in the command AMASSOHATCH to create an associative hatch.

2. Select the Area:
   Use your cursor to define the area that you want to apply the hatch to.

3. Configure Boundary Settings:
   After selecting the area, a Boundary Hatch dialog box will pop up. Here, you can specify parameters such as Type, Pattern, Angle, and any other relevant settings.

4. Finalize the Hatch:
   Click OK to apply your settings, then position your cursor within the selected area to finalize the hatch application.

Changing Hatch Color

1. Choose Color Options:
   To change the color of your hatch, first ensure that the Color by Class option is selected from the color palette.

2. Applying Custom Patterns:
   If you need unique color patterns for your design, refer to the guidelines on Creating Custom Patterns for Fill and Pen Styles within your project.

3. Apply the Hatch:
   Select your desired hatch from available libraries or from the current document resources.

Trimming a Hatch

1. Position Trimming Object:
   Place the object that will act as a trimming tool over the hatch you wish to modify.

2. Select the Trimming Object:
   Click on the trimming object to highlight it for modification.

3. Use the Trim Command:
   From the main menu, select Modify and then the Trim option to execute the trimming process.

4. Finalize the Action:
   Click on the hatch that needs to be trimmed, and the operation will process, changing the hatch to fit the new shape.

Editing a Hatch

1. Access Editing Tools:
   Use the Hatch Editor controls available in the ribbon to make adjustments to your hatch.

2. Dynamic Properties:
   By hovering over the grip points on the hatch, a dynamic menu will appear, allowing you to modify the origin point, angle, and scale of the hatch.

3. Using the Properties Palette:
   For additional editing options, make use of the Properties palette to refine your hatch properties.

FAQ Section

How do I create a custom hatch pattern in Vectorworks?

To create a custom hatch pattern, navigate to the Resource Manager, select New Resource, choose Hatch, and then Customize the pattern using the appropriate settings. Ensure to save it to your current file or library for future use.

Can I apply different hatch patterns to different areas of my drawing?

Yes, different hatch patterns can be applied to various areas of your drawing by selecting the specific areas and applying different hatch resources. Use the Resource Browser to choose from varied patterns.

What should I do if my associative hatch doesn’t adjust to contour changes?

Ensure that you are using the AMASSOHATCH command correctly when creating hatches. If the hatch still does not adjust after changing the contours, try re-selecting the hatch area or confirming the associative properties in the Object Info palette.