Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
One slick way to hatch is by using the Match Properties button on the Options panel of the Hatch
Creation tab, or the Inherit Properties button in the Hatch and Gradient dialog box, to copy hatch prop-
erties from an existing hatch object. Think of it as point-and-shoot hatching. If someone — such as you
— added some hatching in the past that's just like what you want to use now, click the Inherit Proper-
ties or Match Properties button and pick the existing hatching.
Inherit Properties (Match Properties) updates the hatch pattern settings in the Hatch and Gradient dia-
log box to make them the same as the existing hatch pattern object that you picked. You can use the
cloned hatch pattern specifications as they are or modify them by making changes in the Hatch and
Gradient dialog box.
Consistency is a good thing in drafting, especially in computer-aided drafting, in which some or all your
drawing may be used for a long time. Thus, it's good to use the same hatch patterns, scales, and angles
for the same purposes in all your drawings. Find out whether your project, office, company, or profes-
sion has hatching standards that apply to your work.
Hatch from scratch
An alternative to the Ribbon is the Hatch and Gradient dialog box as shown in Figure
15-4. You don't see your hatch object updating as you change settings the way you do
with the Ribbon, but you do have a bit more control over what you're going to end up
with. To display the Hatch and Gradient dialog box, click the dialog box launcher (the
teeny arrow at the right end of the Options panel of the Ribbon's Hatch Creation tab).
Figure 15-4:
The Hatch tab of the expanded Hatch and Gradient dialog box.
