What is an earth hatch?

An earth hatch marks undisturbed natural ground in a section. It is drawn as rows of short paired diagonal strokes, distinguishing it from imported fill, hardcore or gravel.

How do I import an earth PAT file into AutoCAD?

Place the .PAT file in a support path, run HATCH, pick Custom and select the earth pattern with the hatch scale at 1 so the row spacing matches the preview.

Can I use this earth hatch in Revit?

Yes. Import it as a Drafting fill pattern for section views, or as a Model pattern if you want the strokes tied to the topography geometry.

Can I change the scale?

Yes. Increase the pattern size on large site sections and reduce it for tight foundation details so the strokes do not merge.

Earth Hatch Generator

Create the standard undisturbed earth pattern for foundations and site sections.

Free

Material library

Choose a common building material as a starting point.

Earth loaded. Adjust any parameter below.

Pattern parameters

These values are written into the PAT file.

Pattern name

Generated automatically from the pattern type and dimensions.

Units

Pattern size

Module of the material symbol. Scales the whole hatch.

Rotation

deg

Scale

Multiplies every exported distance in the PAT definition.

Live preview

720 mm wide

PAT definition

earth_120.pat

;; Generated with ArchSupply Utilities - Hatch Pattern Generator;; Drawing units: millimetres (metric pattern);; Load in AutoCAD with HATCH > Custom, or in Revit via Manage > Additional Settings > Fill Patterns.*EARTH_120, Earth: conventional undisturbed earth symbol, 120 mm module45, 0,0, 0,60, 33.6, -86.445, -7.2,7.2, 0,60, 33.6, -86.445, 60,-30, 0,60, 33.6, -86.445, 52.8,-22.8, 0,60, 33.6, -86.4

PAT definition ready

PAT output is in beta. Verify the pattern scale after importing into your CAD or BIM application.

About the earth hatch

Undisturbed earth has one of the oldest and most recognisable conventions in construction drawing: rows of short paired diagonal strokes below the excavation line. It appears under every footing, retaining wall and basement slab.

The pattern separates natural ground from compacted fill, hardcore and blinding, which is exactly the distinction a groundworker needs when reading a foundation detail.

Set the pattern size against your drawing scale so the strokes stay distinct at 1:20 and at 1:50, then export the PAT file for AutoCAD or import it into Revit as a drafting pattern.

How to use the PAT file

Download the .PAT file, or copy the definition into your own pattern library file.
AutoCAD: place the file in a support path, then choose Hatch, Pattern type Custom and pick the pattern name.
Revit: Manage, Additional Settings, Fill Patterns, New, Custom, then import the .PAT file and set the import scale.
Metric patterns assume millimetre drawing units; imperial patterns assume inches.

Frequently asked questions

What is an earth hatch?: An earth hatch marks undisturbed natural ground in a section. It is drawn as rows of short paired diagonal strokes, distinguishing it from imported fill, hardcore or gravel.
How do I import an earth PAT file into AutoCAD?: Place the .PAT file in a support path, run HATCH, pick Custom and select the earth pattern with the hatch scale at 1 so the row spacing matches the preview.
Can I use this earth hatch in Revit?: Yes. Import it as a Drafting fill pattern for section views, or as a Model pattern if you want the strokes tied to the topography geometry.
Can I change the scale?: Yes. Increase the pattern size on large site sections and reduce it for tight foundation details so the strokes do not merge.

Related materials

Every material opens the same generator with its pattern preloaded.