AutoCAD 2011 offers new and improved tools to streamline the process of creating hatch objects. When you launch the Hatch command, AutoCAD no longer displays the Hatch and Gradient dialog box. Instead, it automatically displays the new Hatch Creation ribbon tab and immediately prompts you to select an internal point for the hatch. All of the dialog box options are available in the ribbon. However, if you want to access the Hatch and Gradient dialog box, you can still display it using the Settings option.
When you pass the cursor over an enclosed area of the drawing, AutoCAD displays a preview using the current hatch and gradient settings.
You can modify the hatch and gradient settings on the ribbon tab prior to actually picking the point.
The changes you make are automatically reflected in the preview image each time you pass the cursor into the enclosed boundary.
