Hatching
A hatching fill is a pattern of lines that is repeated throughout the area.
To apply a hatching pattern to an area, go to the Area page, select Hatching from the drop‑down list and then select the desired hatching from the list. To apply a background color to the hatching pattern, selecting the Background color checkbox and choose a color from the drop‑down list.
As for gradients and colors, if the predefined patterns are not satisfactory, you can create a new pattern or modify a predefined one.
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Selecting a hatching fill pattern.
Creating hatching patterns
You can create new hatching patterns or modify existing ones. Start by selecting the Hatching page of the Area dialog.
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The Hatching fill dialog.
As for gradients and colors, if the predefined patterns are not satisfactory, it is recommended to create a new pattern rather than modify a predefined one. To do so:
- Select a pattern similar to the one that will be created as a starting point.
- Modify the properties of the lines forming the pattern. A preview is displayed in the window below the available patterns.
- Click the Add button and choose a name for the newly created hatching.
The properties that can be set for a hatching pattern are shown in Table 2.
Table 2: Properties of hatching patterns
Property
| Meaning
|
Spacing
| Determines the spacing between two lines of the pattern. As the value is changed the preview window is updated.
|
Angle
| Use the mini map below the numerical value to quickly set the angle formed by the line to multiples of 45 degrees. If the required angle is not a multiple of 45 degrees, just enter the desired value in the edit box.
|
Line type
| Set single, double or triple line for the style of the pattern.
|
Line color
| Use the list to select the color of the lines that will form the pattern.
|