Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
read clearly or when the hatch pattern must cover the boundary. The options in this list are self-
explanatory and are Do Not Assign, Send To Back, Bring To Front, Send Behind Boundary, and
Bring In Front Of Boundary. See “Overlapping Objects with Draw Order” later in this chapter.
Layer
Allows you to select a layer that the hatch will be drawn on. By default, the hatch will
be drawn on the current layer.
Transparency
Contains four options for transparency:
Use Current
Will use the current object transparency setting.
ByLayer
Will use the current layer transparency setting.
ByBlock
If the hatch object is contained in a block, it will use the current block trans-
parency setting.
Specify Value
You can choose a transparency value by either entering it into the text
box or using the slider.
Inherit Properties
The Inherit Properties icon allows you to select a hatch on the drawing
area. All properties associated with the selected hatch will be passed to the new hatch area.
Islands Detection
Controls how islands within a hatch area are treated. Islands are
enclosed areas that are completely inside a hatch boundary. When the Island Detection
checkbox is selected, there are three options in this list:
Normal Island Detection
This causes the hatch pattern to alternate between nested
boundaries. The outer boundary is hatched; if there is a closed object within the bound-
ary, it isn't hatched. If
another
closed object is inside the first closed object,
that
object is
hatched. This is the default setting.
Outer Island Detection
This applies the hatch pattern to an area defined by the outer-
most boundary and a closed object within that boundary. Any boundaries nested in that
closed object are ignored.
Ignore Island Detection
This supplies the hatch pattern to the entire area within the
outermost boundary, ignoring any nested boundaries.
Gap Tolerance
This group lets you hatch an area that isn't completely enclosed. The Gap
Tolerance value sets the maximum gap size in an area you want to hatch. You can use a value
from 0 to 5000.
Inherit Options
This group allows you to use an existing hatch pattern when inserting
additional hatch patterns into a drawing. Select the Use Current Origin button and then
select the hatch on the drawing screen that you wish to use. All properties of the selected
hatch will be copied to the newly created hatch.
Using Gradient Shading
We have discussed the Solid option in the Pattern pop-up menu. The solid hatch pattern lets you
apply a solid color instead of a pattern to a bounded area. AutoCAD also offers a set of gradient
patterns that let you apply a color gradient to an area.
You can apply a gradient to an area by using the Gradient tab on the Hatch And Gradient
dialog box. When you select the Gradient tab, you'll see a slight change. The Type And Pattern
group changes to show a set of different gradient patterns. The Origin group also changes to the
Orientation group (Figure 7.12).
