Introduction

This is a TIPS on how to create repeating patterns.

 

It utilizes template and Auto Action materials.

⚠️These materials are paid.

 

The first half, regarding improving usability, is not related to the materials, so even if you only read that part, it should provide hints for pattern creation.

 

↓The materials are here.

I think it's useful for creating various patterns.

You can create patterns with arranged images (↑) or connected images (↓).

Things You Should Know to Improve Pattern Material Usability

First, I'll write about things you should know to improve usability.

 

 

Color, Grayscale, or Monochrome?

The layer expression color will likely differ depending on your purpose.

 

For color illustrations, layers are usually set to color, but for simple patterns, it's probably best to create them in grayscale or monochrome.

 

 

Layer Color

Even grayscale or monochrome patterns can be used in color illustrations by setting the layer color.

 

 

Simple patterns can have colors added later, so grayscale or monochrome offers more versatility and convenience.

 

 

When Creating Color Materials

Depending on the pattern, if it's a solid-filled pattern like the example above and not a complex painting, it's generally better to draw with a brush that doesn't have anti-aliasing.

When designing patterns, there's the advantage that colors can be easily changed with the fill tool.

Also, though slight, patterns without anti-aliasing result in smaller file sizes.

 

 

You might be concerned about whether it will print cleanly without anti-aliasing for color illustrations, but ultimately, after tiling and becoming a pattern material, its size will likely be adjusted to suit the usage scene.

If the magnification is changed, anti-aliasing will be applied.

It's probably a good idea to create it a bit larger with the assumption that it will be scaled down later.

 

If the layer expression color is monochrome, it's a 2-tone image, so anti-aliasing won't be applied even when scaled up or down, making it safe to use for monochrome manuscripts.

 

 

Creating Tones for Monochrome Manuscripts

For monochrome manuscripts, you'll likely choose between grayscale or monochrome.

 

However, when creating tones composed of black and white, you might think it's better to set the layer to monochrome, but that's not always the case.

 

 

Enabling Line Width Adjustment

For patterns drawn only in black, if you set the layer expression color to grayscale, draw with anti-aliasing on, and then change the expression color to monochrome, you'll be able to adjust the threshold.

↑This is the state.

Adjusting the threshold changes the line thickness.

The greater the anti-aliasing applied, the greater the change during adjustment.

 

There might be situations where you want to thin the lines of a pattern in a small frame.

Conversely, you can also thicken lines if they've become too thin.

This is useful in such cases.

 

Let's zoom in and take a look.

If you draw on a grayscale layer with an anti-aliased brush, the gray areas at the edges of the lines will become either black or transparent depending on the threshold adjustment, which is convenient as it allows for variation in line thickness.

 

Even items already drawn in monochrome 2-tone can be adjusted using the threshold by first setting the layer expression color to grayscale, applying a slight blur, and then resetting it to monochrome.

 

 

↑This material allows you to change the line width by adjusting the threshold.

When creating patterns not just for clothing like tone patterns but also for backgrounds as shown ↑, being able to adjust line width is quite convenient, so it's recommended to create with a grayscale layer expression color and then change the expression color to monochrome after drawing.

 

 

Presence/Absence of a White Base for Patterns Drawn in Black or Grayscale

For patterns drawn in black or grayscale, I personally think having a white base makes them more versatile.

In the example above, you might consider filling the entire area with white or just the rabbit's face with white, but please adjust this to your preference.

 

 

By adjusting the drawing color settings in the layer properties, you can draw only black, only white, or both black and white, making it possible to make the white areas transparent.

 

 

↓Draws only black

↓Draws only white

↓Draws both black and white

If only black is drawn and it's transparent without a base, you cannot color the white areas using layer colors, which I think slightly reduces its versatility.

 

 

↑Sub-colors are not applied to transparent patterns without a white base.

 

 

From the above, when creating patterns drawn in black and white, I personally recommend starting by creating the pattern with a grayscale layer expression color, adding a white base, and finally changing the expression color to monochrome (using 2-b in Auto Action) to enable adjustments. This offers the most versatility for line width adjustment and color changes.

 

For patterns drawn in black, gray, and white, if you create the pattern with a grayscale layer expression color and add a white base, line width adjustment won't be possible, but it will be useful in terms of color change versatility.

 

 

To Paint Opaque or Transparent?

When a semi-transparently painted object is converted to a tone, the part that would be white at 100% opacity becomes transparent.

Converting to a tone with these settings will result in the image below.

When you want to create a lace-like pattern, setting the tone's mesh to 'cross' is recommended, as it gives it that appearance.

 

When creating tones for monochrome manuscripts, it's a good idea to create patterns while utilizing the changes that occur when converting to a tone due to differences in opacity.

 

You can create lace-like patterns by drawing patterns with opaque black or white and painting the base with a semi-transparent color.

As a simple example, drawing white patterns on a base of 50% opaque white will result in the image below.

As shown in the image above, if you draw white patterns on a base of 50% opaque white, the patterns might become invisible on white.

In that case, turning on the border effect will lay down a black color, making the pattern visible.

By the way, if you set the border color to white, it will look like the image below.

↓There are also lace materials created based on the above, so please feel free to use them.

How to Create Patterns

Now, finally, we'll get into how to create patterns.

 

 

Preparation

This explanation will utilize materials, but in essence, Auto Actions create a selection, convert it to an image material, and perform tiling.

Executing Auto Actions is convenient because everything except tiling (which cannot be done with Auto Action) completes in seconds, but those who feel they can do it themselves might be able to do so without the materials.

 

If you're unsure, find it tedious to do manually every time, or to create your own Auto Actions, or if you want to save time, please use the materials.

Personally, Auto Actions save a lot of time and significantly improve work comfort, making them very convenient.

 

 

For loading Auto Actions, please see ↓here.

First, paste the 'Original Pattern Creation Helper Layer Template' onto your canvas.

Since it's pasted to fill the canvas, please change it to your desired size.

You can also adjust the ratio to your liking, but keeping it square is often more convenient in many situations.

↑The layers look like this.

Place the image you want to use as a pattern into the 'Place image here' folder.

 

Please switch the visibility of the solid fill layer or change its color to match the pattern you want to create.

It's probably convenient to keep it visible when creating a pattern, as it makes the area easier to understand.

 

 

Creating Patterns by Arranging Images

↑This is how to create a pattern like the one in this image.

 

 

Once you've placed the image you want as a pattern into the 'Place image here' folder, execute the Auto Action next.

The instructions are written so that you can use the Auto Action just by looking at it.

 

As a cautionary note, do not paste multiple 'Original Pattern Creation Helper Layer Templates' onto a single canvas.

This may cause the Auto Action to fail.

 

Also, please ensure that the image you want as a pattern is in the 'Place image here' folder.

Position adjustment will be done later, so make sure the image does not extend beyond the pattern creation area.

 

Please execute one of the Auto Actions (color, grayscale, or monochrome) according to the layer color.

↑After execution, it will look like this, so please turn on tiling for the 'Pattern' image material layer.

After that, arrange the images in your desired positions.

↑This way, you can position images without worrying about the seams.

When positioning, it might be a good idea to turn off the mask of the 'Pattern Creation Area' layer folder.

If you want to arrange the same image, it's a good idea to duplicate the 'Pattern' layer and repeat the placement.

 

If you're preparing a different image, place the new pattern image into the 'Place image here' folder and repeat the process of executing the Auto Action and turning on tiling, as before.

For parts that don't overlap seams (like 3 and 4 in the example), Auto Action is probably not needed.

 

Once the design is complete, register the pattern material.

Execute the one that matches your layer color.

 

For grayscale, there are two types: b-1 and b-2.

b-2 is the one that achieves the aforementioned state: 'creating with a grayscale layer expression color, and then changing the expression color to monochrome after drawing, enables threshold adjustment'.

When the material registration screen appears, turn on tiling and register it.

Paste the registered material onto your canvas and use it.

 

This completes the process.

 

 

Creating Patterns by Connecting Images

↑When you want to create a ribbon-like pattern like this, simply arranging the images you want to use as a pattern won't work.

 

You can use Auto Actions to create guides that eliminate unnatural seams.

 

For now, I'll try drawing something ribbon-like.

The example is a rough, monochrome black drawing. Sorry about that...

Now, execute an Auto Action on this.

Since it's just for creating guides, I think any Auto Action will do.

Turn off the mask of the 'Pattern Creation Area' layer folder.

 

Turn on tiling for the created 'Pattern' layer, reduce its opacity, or set the layer color to use it as a guide.

Draw additional elements to connect seamlessly with the 'Pattern Original Data'.

 

Hide the guide layer and execute the Auto Action according to the layer expression color.

The pattern is complete.

Please try it this way.

 

 

Tips for Creating Patterns

I will add more tips if I remember them.

 

 

Creating Repeating Gradient Patterns with a Random Feel

This is a starry sky pattern I made long ago; ↑ this is how the gradients are applied.

Draw with a gradient circle or ellipse.

Choose your preferred color.

Be careful not to extend beyond the pattern creation area.

Once drawn, execute the Auto Action.

Tile and place it in an appropriate position.

If necessary, create it in other colors as well.

Similarly, perform an Auto Action, turn on tiling, and place it.

It's a good idea to duplicate it several times and arrange them.

You might also consider randomly changing the opacity of each layer.

Once complete, execute the Auto Action for material registration.

If you're adding more patterns, please complete that work before executing.

↑This way, a repeating gradient pattern is completed.

Please try using it for backgrounds or line art.

 

 

Creating a Misregistered Print Effect

Printing on fabric, etc., these days is often done with inkjet printers, similar to printing on copy paper, so there are no color limitations. However, in the past, the only method was to create a plate for each color and layer them. For example, Ukiyo-e also involves creating plates for each color and layering them, so it's that kind of image. I hear that Ukiyo-e is created with craftsmanship where the plates align perfectly without misregistration, so that's different from what we want to achieve here.

 

In older mass-produced printing, plates sometimes shifted slightly.

Even now, printing on soft, easily deformable materials or curved surfaces is prone to misregistration, but...

 

Print misregistration has a charming antique and analog feel, so we're intentionally incorporating it.

 

I recommended solid fills without anti-aliasing earlier, and this method can be used for patterns drawn that way.

Depending on the pattern, if it's a solid-filled pattern like the example above and not a complex painting, it's generally better to draw with a brush that doesn't have anti-aliasing.

When designing patterns, there's the advantage that colors can be easily changed with the fill tool.

 

 

Since this method utilizes color gamut selection, it cannot be used for patterns drawn with anti-aliased brushes.

 

Apologies for the long preamble, but I will now explain how to do it.

 

First, once your pattern is complete and you execute the Auto Action, a material registration dialog like the one below should appear.

At this point, do not register it yet; choose 'Cancel'.

If you also want to register the material as is, turn on tiling and then press 'OK'.

 

Looking at the layers, you'll see an 'Original Pattern' layer has been created.

We will use this layer to create misregistered patterns.

Please hide the 'Pattern Creation Area' folder used for pattern creation.

Rasterize the 'Original Pattern' layer.

After that, we will separate it into different layers for each color, so use color gamut selection to choose one color at a time.

In the example, I first selected pink (1).

Once the selection area is created, perform 'Cut + Paste' from the Selection Launcher.

Next, create a selection area from the mask of the 'Pattern Creation Area' layer folder.

To create a selection from a layer, click the layer icon while holding down Command or Ctrl.

Once the selection area is created, perform 'Convert Layer' on the layer created by 'Cut + Paste'.

Set the type to 'Image material layer'.

Turn off 'Keep original layer'.

 

 

Once converted, turn on tiling.

Repeat this process for each color.

This time, I haven't converted the base light purple to an image material layer because I won't be moving it.

I don't think 3 and 4 necessarily need tiling either, but I've done it for the sake of the example.

Change the blending mode of the layers separated by color.

In the example, I used 'Multiply', but please adjust to your preference.

Choose a blending mode that creates a nice color change where it overlaps with the base light purple.

↑From this state, slightly shift each layer that was separated by color.

↑When you shift them, you'll probably get a somewhat printed look.

We'll register this as a pattern material, but if you hide the paper layer, it looks like the image below.

If this is acceptable, that's fine, but if you're concerned, it might be a good idea to paint white underneath.

Create a selection from the mask of the 'Pattern Creation Area' layer folder, add a layer, and fill it with white.

Select all the layers created for each color, including the white layer, and perform 'Convert Layer'.

Also, create a selection from the mask of the 'Pattern Creation Area' folder.

Set the type to 'Image material layer'.

I think it's better to turn on 'Keep original layer' to retain the layers used for pattern creation.

The layer is created.

Turn on tiling for the created layer.

Registering this layer as a material completes the process.

It's a bit of work, but this method is recommended when you want to subtly change the pattern's atmosphere or create a retro feel.

 

 

Conclusion

Using materials makes it easier to create patterns because you don't have to worry as much about the seams.

I hope you'll make good use of them.

 

I also hope that the usability tips will be helpful during creation.

 

And I would be delighted if you could list your pattern materials on ASSETS.

Any number of clothing patterns would be greatly appreciated, so please do!

Personally, I'd be especially thrilled with pattern tones suitable for monochrome manuscripts... so please!