- Open an existing PAT file or create a new file in a text editor that saves in ASCII format (for example, Notepad on Windows® or TextEdit on Mac OS®).
Note: If you are creating a new PAT file, the PAT file and pattern must have the same name.
- Create a header line that begins with an asterisk and includes a pattern name that is no more than 31 characters in length.
For example,
*ANGLE
- Optionally, include a description for the hatch pattern by adding a comma and descriptive text after the pattern name.
For example,
*ANGLE, Angle steel
- Create a descriptor line that includes
- An angle at which the line is drawn
- An
X,Y origin point
- A
delta-x of any value if you want to offset alternating lines in the line family
- A
delta-y of any value
- A value for a dash length
- A value for a dot length
- An optional second value for a different dash length
- An optional second value for a different dot length
For example,
0, 0,0, 0,.275, .2,-.075
- Create a second line including all the parameters in the previous step.
For example,
90, 0,0, 0,.275, .2,-.075
- Optionally, create additional lines to complete the multiple-line hatch pattern.
- Add a blank line after the last descriptor line.
Note: If the blank line is missing, the hatch pattern won't be recognized by the program.