A hatch is a graphic fill pattern used in design and modeling programs such as Rhino, AutoCAD, and Revit to represent materials, textures, or surfaces in drawings. Hatches help convey information visually, for example, differentiating concrete from wood, or showing ground, water, or vegetation in plans and sections.
Each hatch file defines a repeating pattern that can be applied to 2D or 3D geometry, and scales automatically based on drawing size or detail level. While a hatch may have a specific name, such as “brick” or “gravel,” it can be adapted for many different purposes. A single pattern can symbolize a wide range of materials, depending on the context and the designer’s intention.
Hatch patterns are lightweight, flexible, and essential for maintaining clarity and consistency across architectural and design drawings.
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