Custom fills are a simple yet powerful way to give your drawings clarity and add a unique character to your designs. Whether you’re creating repetitive patterns, textures, or importing images, Archicad offers flexible tools to make your elements stand out. This guide highlights practical workflows to create symbol and image-based fills that you can reuse throughout your projects.
Create symbol fills from your own patterns
When the default fill textures don’t match your vision, symbol fills allow you to turn your custom 2D patterns into reusable fill elements. Here’s how:
Draw your pattern on any 2D window.
Select the entire pattern, then copy it using Edit > Copy or the copy shortcut.
Go to Options > Element Attributes > Fills and click New.
Name your fill and select Symbol Fill.
Click Paste to insert your previously copied pattern into the fill preview.
Set where the fill should appear: Drafting, Cover, or Cut Fill.
Adjust the pattern and unit size to your preference and save.
Your custom symbol fill is now ready to use anywhere in your project.
Import images as fills
Archicad also allows you to create fills from images, ideal for textures, logos, or more complex patterns:
Navigate to Options > Element Attributes > Fills and click New.
Name your fill and select Image Fill.
Under Appearance, click Browse > Add to upload your image.
Adjust the unit size and display preferences as needed.
Save the fill to add it to your project’s embedded library.
Using image fills opens endless creative possibilities while keeping your documentation clear and professional.
Quick custom fill cheat sheet
Task
Steps
Purpose
Create symbol fill
Draw pattern > Copy > Options > Fills > New > Symbol Fill > Paste
Turn your 2D drawings into reusable fills
Set fill type
Drafting / Cover / Cut
Define where the fill will display in your project
Adjust pattern
Modify unit size & pattern
Control scale and appearance
Create image fill
Options > Fills > New > Image Fill > Upload image
Use external images as fill patterns
Custom fills are an easy way to add a personal touch to your project while improving clarity and readability. Explore symbol and image fills to give your drawings a distinctive edge.
