Digi Makes a
Pattern
Well it has been a while since I thought about
making patterns. It is an easy job once you know
how, but a struggle if you don't. Of
course we can all use the ready-made patterns we
come across or apply the overlays we can
purchase from digital stores, but it is so easy
to create fabulous patterns from scratch and
have them line up perfectly, make a small repeat
or a large repeat.
In Photoshop you would start like this.
1. Open a new 500x500x300dpi document
(use the larger size so that you can have a
high quality definition on your pattern when
enlarging it). You can make your pattern
any size you want, as long as it is an even
number and divisible by 2.
2. Have ready the design you want to
repeat and centre it into the new 500x500
document.
3. Select all and copy paste then go to
filters, Choose Filter-Other-Offset from the
Menu . Set the options to: Horizontal=250
Vertical=250, Undefined Areas=leave at
wraparound.
Here you have it all done for you in CS3.
If you have an older version of Photoshop you
may need to manually set all the defining
settings for the offsets. Make 4 layers 2 at
+250 and 2 at -250 this so that you get right
left top and bottom. Leave undefined areas as
transparent.
4. Merge all the layers and name and save your
document.
5. Go to Edit, choose define a pattern,
click, name it and click okay. This will now
appear in your pattern swatches when called
for. You can enlarge it make it smaller,
whatever you like and don't forget you can
use it in a style and make a floral or patterned
alpha to match your papers.
Hope you had a bit of fun with Digi this month.
Look forward to "coming up with the goods" next
month. Let Digi know what you want to see more
of in the forums right here at Scrapstreet.com
and we will see what we can come up with. Well
for now, Digi sends her love and cuddles to you
all.
Happy Scrapping,
