If you’ve explored the Pattern panel of the new contextual Hatch Creation tab in AutoCAD LT 2011, you may have seen the new “gradient” patterns that have been added next to the traditional line patterns. (Gradient hatches have been around in AutoCAD for a while, but support for them in LT is new this year.) There are 9 different built-in patterns to choose from, but you can get practically infinite variation by modifying the color and angle of the patterns. You might use a gradient pattern to give a more 3D feel to a shape, or just to add some visual interest. In the elevation below, notice how both the roof and the windows used “linear” shading to give a sense of depth to the 2D drawing.

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