Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Creating your own pattern
In this section of the lesson, you will create your own custom pattern and add it to the
Swatches panel.
1.
With the Selection tool ( ), click to select the yellow leaf shape off the left edge of the
artboard.
2.
Choose Object > Pattern > Make. Click OK in the dialog box that appears.
Note
You don't have to have anything selected to start with a blank pattern.
When you create a pattern, Illustrator enters Pattern Editing mode, which is similar to
the group Isolation mode you've worked with in previous lessons. Pattern Editing
mode allows you to create and edit patterns interactively, while previewing the
changes to the pattern on the artboard. The Pattern Options panel (Window > Pattern
Options) also opens, giving you all of the necessary options to create your pattern.
3.
Select the Selection tool, and click the center leaf to select it. Press Ctrl++ (Windows)
or Command++ (Mac OS) several times, to zoom in.
Notice the series of lighter colored leaves around the center shape. This is the leaf
shape repeated into a pattern and dimmed to let you focus on the original. The blue box
around the leaf is the
pattern tile
(the area that repeats).
Note
A pattern can be composed of shapes, symbols, or embedded raster images,
among other objects. For instance, to create a flannel pattern for a shirt, you
can create three overlapping rectangles or lines, each with varying
appearance options.
