In this article, we will cover how to create custom Hatch Patterns for use with PlanSwift.

This tutorial will be using Photoshop as the image editor. You can use other programs such as GIMP or MSPaint as well.

Items Needed

Image editing software such as GIMP or Photoshop.

Process

1. Open your image editing software and create a new file.
2. Name the file Cross Hatch.
   
3. Set the file width and height to 25px by 25px.
4. Press OK.
   
5. Zoom in on your drawing a bit (CTRL +).
   
6. We are going to want to make this graphic seamless: meaning when you align two of these images next to each other, all of their edges match.
7. Create a New Layer(CTRL+SHIFT+N).
8. Turn on the Ruler(CTRL+R).
9. Drag two guides (one horizontal and one vertical) out of the center of the drawing.
10. Select the line tool and set your color to black.
11. Select:  Fill Line, Weight: 3px, Mode: Normal, Opacity 100, Anti-alias: Off.
12. Starting from the Center Point on the drawing.
13. File--> Save As.

Configuring PlanSwift

1. Open PlanSwift, if it is not already open.
2. Click on Settings-> Interfaces.
   
3. Check Show Types Tab in Templates Screen.
4. Click on the Templates tab then click the Types sub-tab.
5. Create a New Folder and name it My Custom Textures.
   
6. Click on the My Custom Textures folder then click on the arrow below the New Item button in the ribbon.
7. Name the New Item Cross Hatch, then click on the Advance button.
8. In the Advanced Properties, create a New Property, and name it Texture; set its type to Image, and press OK.
9. Click the ellipse at the end of the texture property, and browse to theCross Hatch image you created earlier.
10. Create another new property named Texture Height, and change its type to Number, and press OK.
11. Set the Texture Height Formula to 25, and change its input and output units to PX.
    
12. Create another new property named Texture Width, and change its type to Number and press OK.
13. Set the Texture Width Formula to 25, and change its input and output units to PX. Next press OK.
14. Create a New Area item, and change its name to Custom Textured Area.
    
15. Click on the Advance button
16. 16 Locate the property name Texture. Right click on the property and choose Properties.
17. In the second drop-down box under the List Type, navigate to the Types\My Custom Textures and press OK.

To use your custom texture:

Click on the home tab, and select the arrow below the Area button, then select Custom Textured Area.

Set the fill Type to Texture, then select The Cross Hatch Texture in the texture Property.

Press OK, and start taking off your area.