Archicad Hatch | SAFE — 2027 |

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about creating, modifying, and mastering Archicad hatches (Fills). 1. Understanding Hatch Types in Archicad Archicad categorizes Fills based on their architectural purpose and behavioral properties. Understanding these categories is essential for maintaining clean drafting standards. Drafting Fills : Purely 2D graphics drawn manually in details, worksheets, or layouts. They do not interact with 3D elements. Cover Fills : Applied to the surfaces of 3D elements like Slabs, Roofs, and Mesh elements. They display on floor plans to show finishes like tiling, brickwork, or metal decking. Cut Fills : Represent the internal structure of 3D elements when sliced by a section line or floor plan cut plane. They are typically tied directly to Building Materials. 2. The Four Fill Categories (Appearance) Beyond their behavioral types, Archicad separates Fills into four distinct graphic categories within the Fill Selection settings: Fill Category Best Used For Customization Options Solid Fills Solid backgrounds, masking, shading, and zone backgrounds. Foreground color, background opacity (0-100%). Vectorial Fills Traditional CAD hatching (e.g., brick, concrete, crosshatch, rigid insulation). Line spacing, angle, scale-independence. Symbol Fills Complex geometric or organic repeating patterns (e.g., gravel, wood grain, pavers). Custom 2D line templates copied from the clipboard. Image Fills Photo-realistic textures or gradients used for 2D presentation layouts. Custom texture imports (.png, .jpeg) with tiling options. 3. How to Create a Custom Hatch (Vectorial & Symbol) When default library patterns are insufficient, you can easily design your own custom hatch patterns. Method A: Creating a New Vectorial Fill Navigate to Options > Element Attributes > Fills . Click New... and select Vectorial Fill , then give it a clear name. In the Vector Texturing panel, define the stroke intervals, angle, and grid spacing. Preview the pattern in the preview window and click OK . Method B: Creating a Custom Symbol Fill (The Drawing Method) For complex patterns like interlocking stone pavements or intricate tiling, use the Symbol Fill method: Draw one repeating unit of your hatch pattern on the floor plan using standard Lines or Arcs . Select all components of your drawing and copy them to your clipboard ( Ctrl+C or Cmd+C ). Go to Options > Element Attributes > Fills . Click New... , select Symbol Fill , and name it. In the Sub-unit panel, click Paste . Adjust the X and Y spacing values to ensure the pattern tiles seamlessly without overlapping or leaving gaps. 4. Setting Up Hatch Orientation and Origins One common frustration in drafting is a hatch pattern that aligns poorly with wall edges or slab boundaries. Archicad solves this via Fill Orientation handles . When drawing a Fill, or selecting an existing one, you can choose from three orientation modes in the Info Box: Project Origin : The pattern defaults to the global grid of the project file. Fill Origin : Places a movable handle (a localized vector anchor) over the hatch. You can drag the node to change the starting point of the hatch pattern, or rotate the handle to align the hatch pattern to an angled wall or slab edge. Distorted Fill : Allows you to stretch and warp the pattern along two axes. This is ideal for simulating perspective or displaying asymmetric gradients. 5. Managing Hatch Visibility and Graphic Overrides Archicad utilizes a "BIM-first" workflow, meaning you can globally alter how hatches look without editing individual elements. Model View Options (MVO) : Found under Document > Model View > Model View Options . Use this to clean up drawings by turning off all Cover Fills globally (e.g., removing tile lines for a structural layout) or hiding specific background fills. Graphic Overrides : Found under Document > Graphic Overrides . Create rules to automatically swap out hatch patterns based on properties. For example, you can create a rule that says: "If a wall is existing, overwrite its Cut Fill with a solid gray hatch; if it is new, override it with a red diagonal crosshatch." Renovation Filters : Automatically controls fills based on whether elements are classified as Existing, To Be Demolished, or New Construction. 6. Troubleshooting Common "Hatch" Issues The Hatch is Invisible : Check your Model View Options (MVO) or Graphic Overrides to ensure fills aren't hidden. Alternatively, ensure the fill color isn't accidentally set to white or matching the background canvas. The Hatch Scales Inappropriately : In the Fill settings, verify if the fill is set to Scale with Plan (Model Size) or Scale-Independent (Paper Size) . Paper size keeps the hatch lines at a fixed thickness (e.g., 2mm apart) regardless of whether your viewport zoom is 1:50 or 1:200. Cannot Snap to Hatch Lines : Ensure that View > On-Screen View Options > Elements Snap to Fills is enabled so you can precisely reference intersection nodes within your patterns. If you want to refine your workflow further, let me know if you need help with: Exporting your Archicad fills accurately into AutoCAD DWG formats Linking specific hatches to Building Materials for automated 3D sections Share public link This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later.

Archicad handles hatching through a versatile tool known as Fills. While software like AutoCAD uses the term "hatch," Archicad expands this concept into a dynamic system. Fills do not just represent 2D patterns; they carry semantic data, physical properties, and smart orientation behavior. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about mastering Archicad hatches (Fills). 1. Understanding Fill Types in Archicad Archicad categorizes fills based on their architectural purpose. Understanding these categories ensures your elements display correctly in plans, sections, and 3D views. Drafting Fills : Purely 2D patterns drawn manually in views. They are perfect for details, legends, or quick annotations. They do not attach to 3D elements. Cover Fills : 2D patterns applied to the top surfaces of 3D elements like Slabs, Roofs, and Meshes. They simulate materials like floor tiling or roof shingles in floor plans. Cut Fills : Patterns displayed when a 3D element (like a Wall, Beam, or Column) is intersected by a section or floor plan cut plane. They represent the actual core material. 2. The Four Fill Categories (How They Render) Archicad processes fills based on their structural geometry. You can create or edit these under Options > Element Attributes > Fills . Solid Fills These are flat, uniform color blocks. They include 100% solid color, completely transparent fills, and translucent percentage fills (e.g., 25%, 50%, 75%). They are ideal for background masking or color-coding zones. Vectorial Fills Classic line-based patterns composed of repeating hatches (e.g., brick bonds, parallel siding, or concrete triangles). They scale perfectly and look sharp at any zoom level. Symbol Fills Advanced patterns created by copying custom 2D linework (like irregular stone walls, wood grain, or rigid insulation curves) and pasting them directly into the Fill edit window. Image Fills Textures using raster images (PNG or JPEG) instead of lines. They allow you to show realistic material previews (like grass, water, or specific tile finishes) directly in your 2D documentation. 3. How to Apply and Modify a Hatch (Fill) To use the Fill tool effectively, follow these core workflow steps: Activate the Tool : Click the Fill Tool icon in the Toolbox (under the Document section). Select Fill Category : Open the Fill Settings dialog and choose whether it functions as a Drafting, Cover, or Cut fill. Choose Geometry Method : Select how you want to draw the boundary: Polygon : Manual point-by-point drawing. Rectangle : Quick two-click box. Rotated Rectangle : Angled box creation. The Magic Wand : Hold the Spacebar and click inside any closed boundary (formed by Walls, Lines, or Slabs) to instantly generate a matching hatch. 4. Controlling Hatch Orientation and Origin One of the biggest frustrations in CAD drafting is a hatch pattern that aligns poorly with building edges. Archicad solves this with three flexible orientation settings found in the Info Box or Fill Settings: Orientation Method Best Used For How It Works Project Origin General site hatching The pattern aligns globally with the absolute X/Y grid of the project. Fill Origin Floor tiles, ceiling grids Provides a movable handle (hotspot) to set the exact starting point and angle of the hatch lines. Distorted Fill Sloped roofs, perspectives Allows you to stretch or distort the pattern along two axes to simulate depth or slope. 5. Connecting Fills to Building Materials (BIM Workflow) In a true BIM workflow, you rarely draw Cut Fills manually. Instead, you assign them via Building Materials . When you assign a Building Material (like "Concrete Structural" or "Common Brick") to a wall, Archicad automatically applies the correct Cut Fill whenever a section cut occurs. This automates your documentation and guarantees consistency across your entire project. 6. Global Control via Graphic Overrides If you need to change your hatch styles universally—such as turning all solid fills grey for a schematic presentation—do not change individual elements. Use Graphic Overrides ( Document > Graphic Overrides ). This feature allows you to create rules that instantly swap out or simplify fill patterns across the entire project based on element criteria, leaving your original technical drawings untouched. If you want to dive deeper into custom patterns, let me know if you would like a step-by-step walkthrough on how to create a custom Symbol Fill using your own linework, or how to set up Graphic Overrides for clean presentation drawings. Share public link This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later.

In Archicad, "hatching" is managed through the Fill Tool , a versatile feature used for 2D drafting, 3D surface decoration, and structural detailing. It functions similarly to the hatch tool in other CAD software but is deeply integrated into the BIM model's attributes. Core Fill Types Archicad classifies hatches into four main categories based on their function and visual data: Solid Fills : Basic monochrome patterns where you can adjust opacity, such as a "66% transparent" fill for overlays. Vectorial Fills : Use mathematical vector shapes, commonly used for technical detailing and architectural symbols. Symbol Fills : User-creatable patterns often used for complex surfaces like pavements or roof tiles. Image Fills : Allow you to import .jpg or .png files to create realistic textures directly as 2D hatches. You can also learn from YouTube tutorials how to create custom surfaces from photos. Functional Applications Hatches are applied in different ways depending on the view and purpose: Drafting Fills : Simple 2D shapes drawn manually to represent floorings or spaces; these are typically not visible in 3D views. Cover Fills : Applied to the top surface of elements like slabs or roofs to show floor patterns in plan views. Cut Fills : Automatically generated when an element (like a wall) is cut by a section or elevation line, based on its Building Material. 3D Vectorial Hatching : Displays surface patterns in 3D windows or elevations. This must be enabled in the Elevation Settings under "Model Effects". Key Feature Tips Hatching - Graphisoft Community

In Archicad, "hatching" is handled via the . Understanding how to manage these fills is essential for clean documentation and professional 2D/3D representation. Core Fill Types in Archicad Archicad categorizes fills into four main types: Solid Fills : Simple, monochromatic fills with adjustable opacity (e.g., 25%, 50%, or 100%). Vectorial Fills : Pattern-based fills made of preset vector shapes, often used for technical drafting. Symbol Fills : Custom patterns that you can create yourself using lines, arcs, or dots. Image Fills textures to create a more realistic or textured appearance. How to Customize and Apply Fills Access Settings : Navigate to Options > Element Attributes > Fill Types to create or edit existing patterns. 3D Vectorial Hatching : To see hatch patterns (like bricks or tiles) on surfaces in 3D or elevations, ensure "Vectorial Hatching" is enabled in the Model Effects section of your Section/Elevation tool settings or the Surface settings. Graphic Overrides : Use Graphic Overrides to globally change how fills appear (e.g., making all fire-rated walls show a specific dashed hatch) without changing the underlying material settings. Pro Tips for Effective Drafting Draw Order : If a hatch is obscuring other elements, use Edit > Display Order > Send to Back to move it behind other linework. Scale Issues : If your hatch appears too dense or sparse, you can adjust its scale within the Fill Types dialog or use Graphic Overrides to scale it specifically for certain views. DWG Export : When exporting to AutoCAD, check your Translator settings . If hatches appear solid black in CAD, ensure you aren't "keeping the fills" in a way that flattens transparency. from AutoCAD into Archicad? SCALE FILL/HATCH ON SECTION/ELEVATIONS archicad hatch

Feature: Advanced Architectural Hatching (ARCHICAD) Overview ARCHICAD provides a sophisticated, layer-independent 2D Hatching system that goes beyond simple pattern filling. It is designed to bridge the gap between design intent, construction documentation, and material representation. Core Features 1. Intelligent Associative Hatching

Boundary Association: Hatches dynamically update when their surrounding building elements (walls, slabs, roofs, zones) are resized or moved. Anchor Points: Set custom origin points for each hatch to align patterns with building grids or specific geometry.

2. Dual Nature: Building Material vs. Override Hatch This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to

Building Material Hatch: Automatically assigned based on the element’s physical material (e.g., brick, concrete, insulation). This ensures consistency across sections and elevations. Cover Fill (Override): An independent, project-specific fill that can be overlaid on any element without changing its material definition (ideal for renovation plans or demolition drawings).

3. High-Performance Pattern Engine

Vector & Bitmap Support: Use scalable vector patterns ( .pat , .2dl ) for crisp printing at any scale, or embed bitmap images for realistic textures (e.g., wood grain, grass). Large Pattern Library: Pre-loaded with over 600 ISO, DIN, ANSI, and JIS standard architectural, landscape, and structural hatches. Custom Pattern Import: Import AutoCAD .pat files or create custom .2dl patterns directly within ARCHICAD using the Pattern Maker tool. Cover Fills : Applied to the surfaces of

4. Surface Texture Association (Visualization)

Seamless 2D ↔ 3D Workflow: The 2D hatch can be linked to a 3D surface texture. When rendered, the texture automatically aligns with the 2D hatch orientation, ensuring consistent material logic between plans and 3D views.