AutoCAD Tip: Using an Updating Text Field to Display Area of Hatch

In this example I am using AutoCAD for Mac 2013 but it is also applicable to AutoCAD for Windows.

So you have an area of a drawing in AutoCAD that is closed and has a Hatch pattern applied. What you want is an easy updated way to show the area in text even when the area hatched is changed. No problem use an AutoCAD Field.

The AutoCAD Field text object is really powerful as you can place text that has the drawing path, author, last saved and much more that automatically update. But you can also use it to report details about objects, and in this case we want to show the area of hatched area in text and have it always update when the area of the Hatch changes.

Use the FIELD command at the AutoCAD command line or select it from the menu Insert >Field in the Windows version of AutoCAD you have the Ribbon and can insert a Field from the Insert Tab in the Data panel.  Then you want to select Object as the option and the Select Object as the Type option highlighted below.

Now you can select the Hatch in your drawing that you want the Field to be associated to as the Object Type. You will notice since you selected a Hatch object, the Hatch object the default property is Area. You could also have the Field report the Layer, Elevation, etc.

What I want is to add a suffix of sq. ft. to my field by select the Additional Format option in the Field dialog.

Now Select OK and and the Option Choose to place your text field in your drawing. You can place it anywhere and when the area of the Hatch is modified the text will also update.

You can use the Field object to create a Bill of Materials (BOM) or a schedule. Start using Fields today to automate text in your AutoCAD drawings and save time.

I only wish it was as easy to update all the clocks in my house and car due to the daylight savings time change this weekend…

Cheers,
Shaan