How to: add custom pattern to AutoCAD

April 18, 2012 by Edwin Prakoso 17 Comments

So you have downloaded or created your own AutoCAD pattern. Now you want to use it.
But how?
There are two ways to do this: you can combine your custom pattern with acad.pat or add
a support file search path. I personally will recommend the last one. You may loose your
custom pattern if you somehow need to reinstall AutoCAD or your Windows account
corrupts. Or you may just make your acad.pat corrupt.
Combine with acad.pat
You can find acad.pat in support folder. It should be something like
C:\Users\YOURWINDOWSACCOUNT\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD XXXX
English\RXX.0\enu\Support. Find acad.pat and open it with text editor like notepad
or notepad ++. Do not use Microsoft Word. I suggest you to make a backup of this file
before you start to work.
Open another instance of Notepad and open your custom hatch. Select all, then copy it
using [ctrl] + C. I use chainlink pattern from DotSoft website.
Paste it at the bottom most of your acad.pat file.
There is a comment that if you add user defined hatch below that section, then when you
upgrade your AutoCAD this file will be migrated properly.

However, I still avoid this method.
Now save this file. Now you should immediately see your custom hatch in pattern list.

Add support file search folder
If you place all your custom hatch in your own folder, you can simply add support file
search path. Open AutoCAD options (type OP then enter).
In files tab, below support file search path, add your folder.

Click OK to accept this changes, then when you activate hatch command, you should see
it in your pattern list. If you cant find it, you may need to change pattern type to user
defined.

If you use hatch dialog box, you can change pattern type to custom or user defined.

I always use the last method, and avoid the first one. So I never really have problem or
may be benefits of the first method. If you use the first one, why do you choose to use it?
Will you recommend it instead of the last method?