Hatches (Rough)

This effect fills the area inside a path with a squiggly line that simulates quick, hand-drawn shading. Shapes are automatically converted to paths. Note: the squiggly line is constructed like a calligraphic stroke, that is by two almost parallel lines. This allows for variations in line thickness. You may get better results by adding a Fill and removing the Stroke (not automatically done by the effect). Warning: this effect appears to make heavy demands on the CPU.

There are a great many options to control the way the hatches are drawn. The spacing, direction, and amount of bend are determined by on-canvas nodes, visible when the Node Tool is in use. The other options are controlled in the Path Effect Editor dialog. Many of the options have a random factor. One can re-roll the dice by clicking on the randomize ( icon ) icon.

Hatches (rough) effect: nodes.
Definition of the nodes used to control the spacing, direction, and amount of bend of the hatches. The circle nodes are reference points. The distance and direction the diamond nodes are displaced from the circle nodes determines the applicable parameters.
Hatches (rough) effect: edited nodes.
Left: Default hatching for the shown rectangle. Middle: After adjusting the Bend diamond node. Right: After adjusting the spacing and direction diamond node.

Parameters found in the dialog (see also figure below):

Hatches (rough) effect: parameters.
Demonstration of the different Hatches effect parameters. Except as noted, all options are removed or set to their neutral values. Top row, from left to right: Default settings; All options/setting removed; Magnitude jitter: 2nd side set to 20; Parallelism jitter: 2nd side set to 10. Bottom row, from left to right: Half turns smoothness 2nd side: in set to 0, out set to 2; Variance 2nd side set to 10 (Bug? Doesn't seem to do anything.); Thickness: at 2nd side set to 10. Thickness: from 1st to 2nd side set to 5.