How to Exclude Hatching Lines in the Area of Text in Siemens NX Drafting

In the world of advanced CAD design and technical drafting, clarity and precision are non-negotiable. When working on section views or assembly drawings using Siemens NX, crosshatch patterns are commonly applied to represent material cuts. However, these patterns can obscure critical annotations or callouts. Fortunately, Siemens NX provides a streamlined solution to exclude text from hatch areas, enhancing both engineering productivity and document readability.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Launch the Crosshatch Tool: Navigate to the Drafting module and open the Crosshatch function. This is essential for creating high-fidelity section representations.
2. Select Boundary Curves: Under the Boundary section, choose Boundary Curves as your selection mode and define the hatch area using edges or curves.
3. Activate Annotation Exclusion: Enable the checkbox labeled Select Annotation. Select the text or note objects that you want to keep clear of hatching lines.
4. Adjust Margin Value: Fine-tune the margin around the annotation using the Margin Value input field. A value like 1.5000 ensures a professional-looking spacing buffer.
5. Preview and Apply: Use the preview option to inspect the exclusion before committing. When satisfied, click Apply and then OK to save changes.

Efficient drafting isn’t just about lines and dimensions—it’s about clarity, precision, and presenting your design intent without distractions.

Visual Explanation

The two images below this post illustrate the before and after effect of excluding text from hatching. One example shows vertical annotation, and the other demonstrates exclusion with rotated text—showcasing Siemens NX’s intelligent drawing tools for clean engineering documentation.

Why This Matters for Engineers

Whether you are preparing production-ready blueprints or customer-facing design documents, ensuring your annotations are legible is crucial. This feature not only improves visual appeal but also enhances communication across multidisciplinary teams. It’s a must-know for any design engineer, CAD drafter, or product developer.

If you found this Siemens NX drafting tip helpful, consider exploring our other articles on CAD customization, engineering best practices, and design automation tools.