The area fill style "hatching" allows to seamlessly fill the area background with a pattern. This pattern is currently defined by 8 x 8 pixels, each in one of two colors (foreground/background). Question is whether or not we want to enhance this feature in order to create more artistic patterns known as arabesque. That would require larger patterns, like 16x16, 32x32, 64x64, 128x128 and 256x256 (hard to imagine that someone really defines more than 64 bits, though). And perhaps also a way to define the color for every bit. Is it possible in respect to the odf? Anything to say pro or con?
Additional to size and color per bit some people may also want to create non-rectangular patterns (cf. Penrose tiling). In my opinion this is out of scope, unfortunately. But it belongs to this enhancement request.
I would say no that we shouldnt be improving on hatching, but if you wanted to extend the bitmap pattern option to support patterns beyond 8 x 8 pixels that might be doable, but see problems in how to display these larger clickable matrix and think leaving it for users to create the pattern as a bitmap and using the bitmap fill.
(In reply to Yousuf (Jay) Philips from comment #2) > I would say no ... but if you wanted to extend the bitmap pattern... Of course using a bitmap is always possible and would be more than a workaround. But the question is whether we want to have larger patterns. Other opinions?
(In reply to Heiko Tietze from comment #3) > But the question is whether we want to have larger patterns. No i dont think we should, though i believe i've seen some non-8x8 patterns used in other apps as fill patterns, but those were non-modifiable ones.
This idea did not receive much acceptance unfortunately. So we stick to 8x8 patterns; if the user wants more detailed patterns she has to create a bitmap in an external program and tile this on the canvas.