PAT file generator
Create custom hatch patterns for AutoCAD and Revit with instant preview
Try it now
Live calculator
The PAT File Generator helps architects, drafters, and BIM professionals create custom hatch patterns for AutoCAD and Revit without manual file editing.
Simply configure pattern lines with angle, origin, spacing, and dash patterns, then preview your pattern in real-time. Export directly as a .pat file ready to import into your CAD software.
Choose from dozens of standard architectural and engineering presets including ANSI patterns, masonry hatches, insulation symbols, and specialty patterns, or create entirely custom designs.
Features
Everything you need
- Live pattern preview with pan controls
- Support for both Revit and AutoCAD formats
- Preset templates for common patterns
- Visual dash/gap pattern editor
- Automatic code validation
- One-click .pat file download
- Copy-to-clipboard functionality
- Imperial and metric unit support
How it works
Simple workflow
- 1Choose target application (Revit or AutoCAD)
- 2Select a preset template or start from scratch
- 3Configure line angle, origin, and spacing
- 4Add dash patterns for dashed/dotted lines
- 5Preview the pattern in real-time
- 6Download the .pat file
Use cases
Built for real-world scenarios
Custom material hatches
Create unique hatch patterns for specialty materials not included in standard libraries.
Company standards
Develop consistent hatch patterns that match your firm's drafting standards.
Detail patterns
Design patterns for construction details like insulation, gravel, or texture fills.
Revit pattern import
Generate model and drafting patterns with proper Revit metadata headers.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Revit .pat files include additional metadata headers specifying units, version, and pattern type (MODEL or DRAFTING). AutoCAD .pat files use a simpler format. This generator handles both formats automatically.
Positive values draw a line segment of that length. Negative values create a gap. Zero creates a dot. For example, [0.5, -0.25] creates a 0.5 inch dash followed by a 0.25 inch gap.
The offset value controls spacing between parallel lines. A zero offset would create infinite overlapping lines, which would crash CAD software when rendering.
Place the .pat file in your Revit pattern folder (typically C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\RVT [version]\UserDataCache), then access it through Manage > Additional Settings > Fill Patterns.
Have a suggestion?
We're always looking to improve our calculators. If you have ideas for new features, improvements, or found something that could work better, we'd love to hear from you.
Industries
Popular in these fields
Get the desktop app
Access all calculators instantly with a global keyboard shortcut. Works offline, syncs across devices, and integrates seamlessly with your workflow.