How to Easily Add a Wood Plank Floor Hatch to AutoCAD: A Step-by-Step Guide (with Free Download)
AutoCAD makes it super easy to add hatches to surfaces like floors or tile walls with just a few clicks. When working on floor plans, a wood plank floor pattern is one of my top choices. The only problem? While AutoCAD offers plenty of default architectural hatches, it doesn’t include a wood plank floor pattern. Drawing each individual line can be a real hassle! In this blog post, we’ll show you how to easily add a typical wood plank floor hatch to your AutoCAD projects. By following these 4 simple steps, you’ll quickly create and apply a custom wood plank pattern to your floor plans—giving them a more realistic look in no time!
STEP 1: DOWNLOAD THE CUSTOM .PAT FILE
To create a hatch in custom sizes that can be used to fill areas in your drawings, you’ll need to create a custom .PAT file. Think of this file like a simple text file, but with a specific format that AutoCAD can recognize—almost like a mini program. The numbers in the .PAT file are arranged in a particular order, allowing AutoCAD to interpret the pattern correctly.
Creating custom .PAT files offers endless creative possibilities for unique shapes and sizes, but it can also get a little complex. To make things easier, I’ve included a sample text for a 8” x 48” wood plank .PAT file that you can simply copy and paste into your text or download.
*LVT_8x48, LVT Pattern
0, 0,0, 24,8, 48,0
90, 0,0, 8,24, 8,-8
STEP 2: MOVE .PAT FILE IN DESIGNATED LOCATION
Once you’ve downloaded the .PAT file, the next step is to place it in a designated folder. AutoCAD needs this file in a specific location in order to recognize it. If you have multiple versions of AutoCAD (such as different years or LT versions), be sure to save the .PAT file in the correct folder for the version you want it to show up in. Here’s where you need to save your .PAT file:
Window (:C) → User → Your Name → App Data → Roaming → AutoDesk → AutoCAD (version of year you are currently using ie. 2024) → Support
Troubleshooting Tip: Sometimes, your computer might be set to hide certain folders. If you’re having trouble finding the folder, make sure hidden folders are visible. This will help you locate the folder you’re looking for!
STEP 3: LOAD THE HATCH
Open AutoCAD. Crete a new hatch or Click any existing hatch. Right mouse click to open ‘edit hatch’. From the drop down menu select ‘custom’. Select ‘Custom,’ then click the three dots next to the ‘Custom Pattern’ option. If you’ve saved your .pat file in the correct folder, it should appear automatically. Simply select the new hatch and click ‘OK’ to apply it.
The hatch you selected will now change to the new wood plank floor hatch. Adjust the scale, angle, and transparency as needed. From this point on, this new hatch will appear automatically along with the other default hatches.
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