Hatches on 3d objects?

[Frank O'Kobrick]

Is it possible to apply a hatch to a 3d object in VectorWorks? I occasionally see plans rendered in what looks like a hidden line rendering w/ a hatch applied (see attached). I don't know what CAD program was used to create this. Any ideas on how to do this w/ VW?

[panthony]

Frank,

For elevations VW is at its best with in utilizing texture fill which when printed with the latest large format laser printers presents a "better than your average hatch" elevation.

See attached PDF Front Elevation Toulouse

Best Regards,

Pete A

[Gerrit]

Create a hatch, and apply it as a non associative hatch to polygons that you draw over the elevations. Ungroup and Convert to 3D polygons, next stick them to the walls/objects - just a tad away from their actual surfaces (so that the 3D hatch objects float over them).

This process can be more tedious than just using textures (esp. with wall openings etc), but sometimes their drop shadows can give a nice visual effect.

Perhaps take a look at this podcast by Jonathan Pickup.

[Frank O'Kobrick]

I tried that & it does work, but like you said it is very tedious. I wonder if this a feature standard to AutoCAD or Sketchup?

[Richard T]

You can do this in AutoCAD, Sketchup, Microstation and more than likely a multitude of other CAD packages. VW seems to be rather lacking to me in its Hatch capabilities.

[Robert Anderson]

This is a topic that we see repeated on a regular basis. VectorWorks does things a little differently, using a 3D "texture" instead of a 3D "hatch". You can see a discussion on how to make monochrome "hatch-like" textures in this thread.