AutoCAD has a built-in tool called (often part of the Express Tools). It allows you to use an image or a block as a hatch pattern.
PatOut (LISP Routine) : A free LISP utility from Arkance that extracts existing hatch definitions from a DWG and saves them as individual .pat files. 2. The "Superhatch" Method (No PAT File Needed)
In the world of Computer-Aided Design (CAD), two file formats reign supreme for very different purposes. The DWG (Drawing) file is the native language of AutoCAD, a complex vessel carrying geometry, layers, and precise vector data. The PAT (Pattern) file, by contrast, is a humble text file defining simple, repeating tile-based hatches like brick, stone, or wood grain. For designers, architects, and manufacturers, the need to convert a custom geometry drawn in a DWG into a seamless, scalable PAT pattern is a common yet surprisingly painful task. While many converters exist, the industry’s silent cry is for a —one that transcends the limitations of current tools to deliver speed, intelligence, and true design fidelity.
command allows using blocks as hatches, it can lead to significant graphical lag in complex 3D models. Converting these designs to true PAT files through a dedicated tool ensures better performance and smaller file sizes. Top Tools and Utilities for 2026
(e.g., pat2dwg.com or dwgpat.com)
AutoCAD has a built-in tool called (often part of the Express Tools). It allows you to use an image or a block as a hatch pattern.
PatOut (LISP Routine) : A free LISP utility from Arkance that extracts existing hatch definitions from a DWG and saves them as individual .pat files. 2. The "Superhatch" Method (No PAT File Needed)
In the world of Computer-Aided Design (CAD), two file formats reign supreme for very different purposes. The DWG (Drawing) file is the native language of AutoCAD, a complex vessel carrying geometry, layers, and precise vector data. The PAT (Pattern) file, by contrast, is a humble text file defining simple, repeating tile-based hatches like brick, stone, or wood grain. For designers, architects, and manufacturers, the need to convert a custom geometry drawn in a DWG into a seamless, scalable PAT pattern is a common yet surprisingly painful task. While many converters exist, the industry’s silent cry is for a —one that transcends the limitations of current tools to deliver speed, intelligence, and true design fidelity.
command allows using blocks as hatches, it can lead to significant graphical lag in complex 3D models. Converting these designs to true PAT files through a dedicated tool ensures better performance and smaller file sizes. Top Tools and Utilities for 2026
(e.g., pat2dwg.com or dwgpat.com)