Rhino 3D Tip: Hatch Best Practices for Rhino Documentation

Hatches are the fastest way to communicate materials and cut regions in Rhino documentation. Use them intentionally to keep drawings legible, standards-compliant, and export-ready.

Create accurate, maintainable hatches

• Start with clean, closed, planar boundaries. Use CurveBoolean to resolve overlaps and Join to close gaps before hatching.
• Run Hatch, pick Solid, Pattern, or Gradient as needed, set Scale and Rotation, and keep “Associate” enabled so edits to the boundary update the hatch automatically.
• Use HatchBase to set a consistent origin across your file so patterns align across objects, views, and layouts.
• Standardize quickly with MatchProperties to push a chosen hatch’s pattern, scale, rotation, and color to other hatches.
• Import additional .PAT libraries to match office or industry standards (e.g., concrete, masonry, steel). Store them in your template for reuse. Need Rhino or add‑ons? Visit NOVEDGE.
• Place hatches on dedicated layers with ByLayer color for easy global adjustments and plotting control.

Section representation (clear poche)

• Use Solid hatch for cut material (poche). A darker neutral color reads cleanly in crowded sections.
• Workflow: Create the section with a clipping plane, Make2D the cut edges, then Hatch the closed cut boundaries for reliable, vector‑clean output.
• Differentiate systems: structure (dense or darker), partitions (lighter), insulation (distinct pattern). Keep each on a separate layer for fast toggling.
• Lock “Section–Cut” layers to prevent accidental edits once approved.

Material coding and readability

• Choose recognized patterns (e.g., ANSI/ISO) so downstream teams understand your drawings immediately.
• Rotate patterns to reflect grain, slope, or flow direction (wood grain, roof pitch). Use HatchEdit for precise rotation without remaking the hatch.
• Keep density consistent across scales. In Document Properties > Annotation > Hatches, enable hatch scaling so details at different scales print with consistent pattern density.
• Store a “Hatches” layer stack and a ready‑to‑go pattern library in your template file. For team roll‑outs and Rhino licenses, see NOVEDGE.

Performance and print fidelity

• Use PrintDisplay=On to preview line weights and pattern density in‑viewport before issuing drawings.
• If a view is heavy, coarsen the pattern by increasing scale or switch to Solid for early design sets.
• Lock layout details once dialed in, so hatch scale/appearance doesn’t change with accidental zooms.
• ExportPDF for crisp vector output. Verify that hatches remain vector (not rasterized) for small file sizes and sharp prints.

Pro tips

• Create -Hatch macros for one‑click, standardized hatches (pattern/scale/rotation preset). Share them via templates or custom toolbars.
• Use NamedSelections to recall hatch sets by zone or discipline. Helpful when coordinating with consultants.
• Blocks reduce repetition and file size: include boundary + hatch inside a block for repeated details.
• Automate material hatching from attributes with Grasshopper + Elefront/Human. For training and plugins, check NOVEDGE and the NOVEDGE blog.

Adopt a few of these habits and your Rhino drawings will print clearer, scale reliably across layouts, and meet standards with less rework. When you’re ready to standardize across your team, partner with NOVEDGE for licensing, add‑ons, and workflow guidance.

You can find all the Rhino products on the NOVEDGE web site at this page.