Chapter 11

Working with Hatches, Gradients, and Tool Palettes

Hatches can be abstract patterns of lines; they can be solid fills; or they can resemble the surfaces of various building materials. With a nearly endless number of combinations, hatches are incredibly versatile, and they provide a way to introduce depth and texture into otherwise flat plans.

Architectural plans frequently use hatches as a way to designate materials, or even varying wall types. Similarly solid and gradient hatches are popular ways to add realism to presentation drawings. This chapter will demonstrate how each of these hatch varying types can be used to compose drawings.

To learn how to hatch and fill areas, you’ll start with some of the visible surfaces in the south elevation of the cabin. You’ll then move to the floor plan, hatch the floors, and put hatch patterns and fills in the walls and a gradient on the balcony. You’ll use the contextual Hatch Creation and Hatch Editor Ribbon tabs for the creation and manipulation of hatches and gradients. Gradient hatches are tool with many options that you can use to create a sense of depth or texture in your drawings.