Controlling/editing Hatch Direction for Hardscapes

[Hugh Chapman]

Afaik Hardscape hatch direction is 'fixed' to the hardscape i.e. the hatch direction cannot be changed independently of the hardscape.

I understand that this is advantageous vs local mapping/attribute mapping as is possible with hatches in 2D geometry because this kind of local mapping/attribute mapping can be unstable - getting lost when the file is closed and reopened multiple times e.g.

 

The way I prefer to set the hatch direction for hardscapes is to rotate the plan before drawing the hardscape. The rule is that the hatch direction is always 'orthogonal to the screen' (hopefully this makes sense - there's probably a better way to express this).

 

If I need to rotate a hardscape hatch after drawing I either need to:

 

- rotate the hardscape and reshape to redraw the original shape

 

- rotate the plan and redraw the hardscape from scratch (sometimes easiest to 'Show Selected Objects Only' to isolate and draw round the 'old' hardscape)

 

- rotate the plan and use Create Objects from Shapes to create a new hardscape from 2D geometry (if I have retained my 2D geometry and it's up to date)

 

Sometimes this isn't too much of a problem but for large areas of paving with complex shapes where I haven't got up-to-date 2D geometry for a Create Objects from Shapes operation this can mean a fair amount of redrawing...

 

Is this all correct?

 

Many thanks

Edited October 20, 2025 by Hugh Chapman

[C_Howard]

The way our office has it set up is by setting a Joint Pattern Overlay in the style and making sure the Joint Angle is set to "Instance Based"

 

 

I now have a grip that I can set where the joint origin is, and can control the joint angle in the OIP per object.

 

 

Would love to hear how other people are managing this and if there's a better workflow.

[HebHeb]

Quote

Would love to hear how other people are managing this and if there's a better workflow.

Exactly like that.
i see no need for a "better workflow"

[MMGD]

Thanks for sharing this information and workflow.  I was getting in a pickle too!

 

[E Hankeroot]

On 10/21/2025 at 1:29 AM, C_Howard said:

The way our office has it set up is by setting a Joint Pattern Overlay in the style and making sure the Joint Angle is set to "Instance Based"

 

 

I now have a grip that I can set where the joint origin is, and can control the joint angle in the OIP per object.

 

 

Would love to hear how other people are managing this and if there's a better workflow.

 

 

How do you have the handle show up to set the joint origin?

[C_Howard]

@E Hankeroot The Hardscape Style needs to have a joint pattern overlay set. Then, when you select the Hardscape Object you should see a blue grip when the Selection Tool is active.