How to Export custom hatch pattern in AutoCAD, and also import it

Generally you can export a drawing with it s fonts, texture, materials, references, data links etc using e-transmit. Unfortunately, it can’t export custom hatch pattern file (PAT) with the package and you have to add it in the package separately. But if you did not receive a drawing with PAT file then you can export custom [ ]

Generally you can export a drawing with it’s fonts, texture, materials, references, data links etc using e-transmit.

Unfortunately, it can’t export custom hatch pattern file (PAT) with the package and you have to add it in the package separately.

But if you did not receive a drawing with PAT file then you can export custom hatch pattern in AutoCAD using the method shown below.

Exporting custom hatch pattern

Let’s assume that you have a drawing with custom hatch applied in it with name ZIGZAG.

To export that hatch, you need to create its PAT file.

I am using a LISP routine in this tutorial to extract PAT file from drawing.

Download the LISP routine here.

Extract it from the compressed package and paste it on the desktop.

Also, make sure that your source drawing is copied to the desktop from which you want to extract hatch pattern.

Now open the drawing from your desktop and drag and drop lisp routine to the drawing as shown in the image below.

Now type GETPAT on the command line and click on ZIGZAG pattern present in drawing.

This pattern will be exported as ZIGZAG.PAT on the desktop.

For some cases the file is exported to C > Users > [user name] > Documents

So, if you are unable to find it on the desktop then look it there.

Importing hatch in your AutoCAD

Now you have this hatch pattern all you need to do is import it to your AutoCAD software.

For this copy ZIGZAG.PAT file and paste it to support folder of the installation directory.

To locate support folder type OP on the command line then press enter, options window will open up.

Select files tab and expand “support file search path” tree there you will see the location of support file as shown in the following image.

Importing hatch in your AutoCAD

After pasting the file launch your software if it is already open then close it and launch it again.

You will now find ZIGZAG hatch pattern among all the patterns, and you can use it just like other hatch patterns.

Update

Some users are unable to use the original GETPAT.LSP file and they are getting this error

Command: GETPAT


Select hatch: ; error: bad argument value: positive 0

If that’s the case with you too then use this modified LISP file, all the steps are exactly the same you just need to close your older session of AutoCAD and start a fresh one to use it.

Credits

Thanks, Paul Turvill for providing access to GETPAT.LSP file.

A big thanks to Cooper Francis for providing us access to this modified routine, you can get many free and premium Autodesk tools on his website Paracadd.com