Create a Custom Pattern File

This example shows how to create a pattern of octagons and squares in the pattern file. You can use the description here to create other patterns.

The completed pattern contains octagons that are 8 inches at their widest point; both the octagon and the square are 3 5/16 inches on a side.

Open a text editor, such as Notepad, to begin creating the pattern file.
On the first line, enter the header in this format: *Concrete Paver.
On the next line, enter the type declaration: ;%TYPE=MODEL.
The first value for a pattern descriptor is the angle at which the pen line is drawn. For example, a 0 angle indicates the line is horizontally straight; 90 angle indicates the line is drawn vertically straight.
Create the first pattern descriptor, using the following values:
- Angle: 0
  This value is the angle at which the pen line is drawn. For example, a 0 angle indicates the line is horizontally straight; a 90 angle indicates the line is drawn vertically straight.
- Origin: 0, 0
  These values are the x-origin and y-origin, which indicate the start point.
- Shift: 5.656, 5.656
  These values establish the x-shift and y-shift, which is the x and y distance between the start of any pass and the start of the next pass.
- Pen down: 3.3125
- Pen up: -8
  Pen down and pen up indicate how long the pen is down and how long the pen is up, respectively. A negative number indicates the pen is up.
The first pattern descriptor is complete:
```
0,
    0,     0,     5.656,     5.656,     3.3125,     -8 
```
The pattern is as shown:
Create the second pattern descriptor, using the following values:
- Angle: 0
- Origin: 0, 3.3125
- Shift: 5.656, 5.656
- Pen down: 3.3125
- Pen up: -8
The pattern is as shown:

Because you changed the origin, the lines are drawn above the first set.
Create the third pattern descriptor, using the following values:
- Angle: 90
- Origin: 0, 0
- Shift: 5.656, 5.656
- Pen down: 3.3125
- Pen up: -8
The pattern is as shown:

Because of the 90 angle, the lines are drawn vertically, beginning to create a square pattern.
Create the fourth pattern descriptor, using the following values:
- Angle: 90
- Origin: 3.3125, 0
- Shift: 5.656, 5.656
- Pen down: 3.3125
- Pen up: -8
The pattern is as shown:
Create the fifth pattern descriptor, using the following values:
- Angle: 45
- Origin: 3.3125, 3.3125
- Shift: 8, 8
- Pen down: 3.3125
- Pen up: -4.6875
The pattern now looks like this:

A 45 angle has a positive slope and results in a slanted line effect.

Create the sixth pattern descriptor, using the following values:

Angle: -45
Origin: 3.3125, 0
Shift: 8, 8
Pen down: 3.3125
Pen up: -4.6875

The completed pattern file is:

*Concrete
Paver,   ;%TYPE=MODEL0,
    0,       0,       5.656,     5.656,     3.3125,     -80,
    0,       3.3125,  5.656,     5.656,     3.3125,     -890,
   0,       0,       5.656,     5.656,     3.3125,     -890,
   3.3125,  0,       5.656,     5.656,     3.3125,     -845,
   3.3125,  3.3125,  8,         8,         3.3125,     -4.6875-45,
  3.3125,  0,       8,         8,         3.3125,     -4.6875

The completed pattern.

Save the text file. Change the extension of the text file from .TXT to .PAT so it can be used to create a fill pattern.

For information on using a custom pattern file, see Create a Custom Fill Pattern.

Create a Custom Pattern File

Related Concepts