Hatchstyles

Hatchstyles refer to predefined or user-defined patterns used to fill closed regions with repeating motifs in graphic, drafting, and design software. They provide texture, shading, and visual distinction without relying on solid color. Common hatchstyles include line-based patterns (single-direction hatch, crosshatch), geometric tilings (grid, diamond), and non-linear patterns (dots, wavy lines). The appearance of a hatchstyle is determined by pattern geometry, spacing (scale), angle, and color.

In practice, hatchstyles are stored in pattern libraries and can be defined in external files or embedded in software. They may be created from simple repeatable elements or generated by procedural rules. Users can usually save, rename, import, and export hatchstyles as named presets to share them across projects or teams. Some programs allow mixing multiple hatchstyles or applying transparency to achieve more complex textures.

Hatchstyles are widely used across domains such as architectural and engineering drawings, cartography, and textile or graphic design. In CAD and vector graphics, they enable quick shading and texture guidance for plans, elevations, and maps, while in textile design they help simulate fabric patterns and weaves. Practical considerations include the density and scale of the pattern to ensure legibility at different zoom levels, as well as performance when rendering complex or large hatch fills.

Overall, hatchstyles offer a flexible mechanism for representing texture and differentiation within geometric boundaries, supporting consistent, repeatable visual language across digital drawings and designs.