replace hatch with another pattern

Does anyone have a VB code to replace one named hatch pattern with another.
I'm driving AutoCAD 2000 from VB 6. I need to replace pattern SOLID with a
closely spaced ANSI31. What I really should do is replace any pattern which
can't be exploded with some default pattern that can be exploded. My end
result is a DXF file without anything that resembles a BLOCK. I have an old
legacy VAX/VMS program that cant deal with blocks importing these stripped
down dxf files.

thanks
LJB

 

Hi ljb

From Acad Help (2005), not sure for 2000:

object.SetPattern PatternType, PatternName

Object:
- Hatch
The object or objects this method applies to.

PatternType:
AcPatternType enum; input-only
- acHatchPatternTypePreDefined
Selects the pattern name from those defined in the acad.pat file.
- acHatchPatternTypeUserDefined
Defines a pattern of lines using the current linetype.
- acHatchPatternTypeCustomDefined
Selects the pattern name from a PAT file other than the acad.pat file.

PatternName:
String; input-only
The name of the pattern. Sets a default hatch pattern name of up to 34
characters, no spaces allowed. Returns "" if there is no default. Enter a period
(.) to set no default.

Remarks:
The hatch pattern can be defined by one of the following options:
PreDefined: Selects the pattern name from those defined in the acad.pat file.
UserDefined: Defines a pattern of lines using the current linetype.
CustomDefined: Selects the pattern name from a PAT file other than the acad.pat
file.
NOTE The SetPattern method should only be used for the active document.

Cheers

 

What determines if a hatch can be exploded? Is pattern SOLID unique or are
there other patterns that cant be exploded and I would need to replace?

thanks

 

Hi ljb

AFAIK, you can explode each pattern except 'SOLID'.

Cheers