Creating and editing patterns

You can create a pattern from scratch or from an existing image. When creating a pattern from an existing image, you can base the pattern on the entire image or a selected area. You can also create a pattern from a mask, which produces a pattern with a transparent background. The image or selection that you choose is converted into a tile that, when repeated, generates a pattern.

A pattern tile was created by applying brushstrokes to the canvas.

If you want to edit an existing pattern, or if a pattern preview isn’t detailed enough, you can open the pattern tile in its own window so that you can view the pattern closely to modify it. For example, you can manipulate a pattern to be a half-drop design, traditionally used in wallpaper designs.

After creating a pattern tile, you may want to refine it so that it tiles seamlessly. For more information, see Creating seamless patterns.

Images that you turn into patterns are saved in the RIFF format, and they maintain their pattern characteristics even after you save and reopen them. You can switch libraries whenever you want to use a different set of patterns. For more information, see Working with libraries.

Creating patterns on layers

You can use the same techniques to create patterns on layers as you do to create them on the canvas. However, a pattern’s wrap-around features do not apply to layers. This is because the canvas has edges, but layers do not — they are unlimited in size. If you shift a pattern on a layer, the pattern does not wrap around.

To create a pattern from scratch

1 .	Choose File New.

3 .	In the Patterns panel (Window Media Panels Patterns), click the Pattern options button , and choose Define Pattern.

5 .	Click the Pattern options button , and choose Add Image to Library.

You can also create a pattern by choosing an existing pattern, modifying it, and then choosing Define Pattern.

To create a pattern from an image

2 .	In the Patterns panel (Window Media Panels Patterns), click the Pattern options button , and choose Define Pattern.

3 .	Click the Pattern options button , and choose Add Image to Library.

To create a pattern from a selection

2 .	Choose the Rectangular Selection tool in the toolbox.

4 .	In the Patterns panel (Window Media Panels Patterns), click the Capture Pattern button .

You can also create a pattern that is based on a 4-point clone source, such as perspective or bilinear. For more information, see Applying transformations when sampling.

To create a masked pattern

2 .	Choose the Lasso tool in the toolbox.

4 .	In the Patterns panel (Window Media Panels Patterns), click the Capture Pattern button .

To quickly apply a pattern mask, click the Brush Selector. In the Brush library panel, choose the Pattern Pens category, and then choose the Pattern Pen Masked variant.

You can apply pattern masks by using any brush variant that supports them. For more information, see Painting with patterns.

To edit a pattern

1 .	In the Patterns panel (Window Media Panels Patterns), click a pattern swatch in the Painter Patterns area.

2 .	Click the Pattern options button , and choose Check Out Pattern.

4 .	Click the Pattern options button , and choose Add Image to Library.

The Check Out Pattern mode supports wrap-around colors. When you drag a brushstroke off one edge of an image, the brushstroke is simultaneously applied to the other side of the image. This allows you to quickly modify the edges of an individual pattern tile.

---

Was this page helpful? Send feedback. (Internet connection required.)

---