Generally you can export a drawing with its fonts, texture, materials, references, data links etc using e-transmit but 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 it from drawing as well using the method shown below.
Exporting hatch pattern
Let’s assume that you have a drawing with custom hatch applied in it with name ZIGZAG. In order 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 from this link
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 pop up select files tab and expand “support file search path” tree there you will see the location of support file. See image below for reference.
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 routine, 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, You can find more free LISP routines on his website http://www.turvill.com/t2/free_stuff/
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
Hi, thanks for making this article available.
I was trying to apply this but for some reason I can’t drag and drop the the .lsp file into Autocad, therefore the command GETPAT is not available.
Any suggestions?
I am using windows 10, AutoCAD 2014
Thanks
Hello,
I was just wondering if anyone had gotten a resolve to the error kamiel Lee was getting. I have encountered the same issue.
Command: GETPAT
Select hatch: ; error: bad argument value: positive 0
I have searched everywhere and short of recreating a custom pattern from scratch to get a matching hatch pattern as in a drawing send from another individual, I have no solution. Would love to be able to have this command GETPAT to work.
An updated routine is now added Kamma, check it in the article. It has been provided by Cooper Francis.
I followed the instructions but the first time I dragged the LSP file to my drawing I cancelled the operation before clicking “Load”. Now every time I drag the LSP file over I get an error message “File load cancelled” in Autocad command line.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
i downloaded a file from bibliocad ,which had more than 50 hatch patterns,it was in hatch format only,i just renamed it with extension (.pat),i followed the same steps but ,it didnt work,what would be the reason????
Thanks Jai!
Welcome Kevin
I found the .pat file, and I right clicked on it, and went into the Support File Search Path and tried to right click and paste, but it did not work.
Do you have admin rights? make sure you have admin right before pasting the file.
Hello
I got a recommendation for a Lisp named getpat.lsp to export AutoCAD’s hatch as a .pat. (http://www.turvill.com/t2/free_stuff/getpat.lsp) <- Lisp Code
Many people seem to be using this Lisp well, but I have an error.
"
Command: GETPAT
Select hatch: ; error: bad argument value: positive 0
"
I tested both versions of AutoCAD 2011-2017, but the results were the same. Also, no matter how I search, there is no advice to solve this problem.
I have already spent too much time solving this problem. If you know the solution to this problem, please let me know.
I would suggest you connect with the original lisp creator on his site here http://www.turvill.com/t2/free_stuff/index.htm
If the hatch pattern has curved elements then the output is not correct any suggestions
Just wanted to say thanks! Client requested bespoke pattern for Revit model, exported and then imported from his CAD file fine. thanks!
Welcome 🙂
Worked like a charm. Automatically placed it in the directory. Thank you!
I am Glad to know this 🙂
thank you .they really help !
Welcome!
I have found the exported pat file. When I load this pat file back into AutoCad or Invertor the file cannot be read. Anyone else having this issue
Try copying content from PAT file and paste it in acadiso.pat file in support folder, don’t forget to take backup of the actual pat file before making any change.
oh, a follow up.. a day or two later I found the .pat file in a sub directory in the drawing location… so it might use some saved file directory in the registry… so, if you cant find it, do a search. it should be there.
I had the same issue, couldn’t find the .pat file but the hatch became usable in the drawing so presumably has saved to the support file location. Magic!
Sometimes exported PAT file is pasted in the documents folder also so its better to have a look there too. and if everything else fails you can search C drive with the name of custom hatch pattern to find the location where it is exported.
Was just about to wblock out the hatch, when this time, I apploaded the .lsp file (versus your drag and drop method) and tried again. It now says it wrote the hatch to the .pat file, but I cant seem to find it. its not on the desktop, or in my .lsp directory, or in the orig dwg directory… so I’m stumped again. any idea where it may have put the .pat file? (btw way my .lsp directory is on our server. should I load it from the desktop?)
Sometimes exported PAT file is pasted in the documents folder also so its better to have a look there too. and if everything else fails you can search C drive with the name of custom hatch pattern to find the location where it is exported.
Article modified to address this issue please have a look at article again.
This sounds great, but of course its not running on my Arch 2015 windows 10 autocad.
Command: GETPAT
Select hatch: *Cancel*
Cannot invoke (command) from *error* without prior call to (*push-error-using-command*).
Converting (command) calls to (command-s) is recommended.
any ideas?
AutoCAD is not yet officially supported on windows 10 that could be one of the reasons, but if possible can you share your file containing hatch pattern or at least a drawing containing that hatch pattern only and I will export PAT file and send it to you.
You can send files to admin@thesourcecad.com
thank you autodesk and also Jaiprakash for putting these on line .hope to learn more
Welcome Andrew, I am glad you are learning from these tips