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By Nanshi_Nibble on Jun 8, 2009 • Seamless Patterns Tutorial
Seamless Tiles In Photoshop
With the new version of Sims out (Sims™ 3), we now have the ability to add custom patterns to our game. This means that how we design these patterns has become even more important. I have created the following tutorial so that you can create simple seamless patterns from shapes in Photoshop.
What you will need:
- Photoshop® (I am using Photoshop CS2)
- A nice custom shape - for this tutorial I will use some from Aimha Design at http://myphotoshopbrushes.com/custom_shapes/id/2038
- A nice strong cup of coffee!
This tutorial has an expectation that you have a basic understanding of how Photoshop works. It is not essential of course but this tutorial will make a lot more sense if you have a working understanding of this program.
Let us begin!
The actual size of the end tile we want to create is 256 x 256. This tile size is required by all pattern tools available. You can choose what size you want your tile to be. I usually prefer a nice small pattern so I would tend to choose a smaller size but basically anything following these criteria:
- 256 x 256 (huuuuge!)
- 128 x 128
- 64 x 64
- 32 x 32 (this is quite small)
I have chosen 64 x 64.
Lets get started!
- Guzzle that coffee! No seriously this is not hard at all. The first step is to open Photoshop and choose your file size
- File > New
- In width and height choose your size (in this case I have chosen 64 x 64) (fig 1)
- Now select OK
Fig 1
You should end up with (if you chose background contents as transparent) a small box. You can choose any colour background you like. The idea is to create a file with very contrasting colours. Keep in mind that even if it looks garish you can always choose alternative colours in the game itself and then save that file to share with others.
The box is quite small so feel free to enlarge it - it will pixalate your image a bit but don’t worry it still looks pretty awesome when you take it back down to 100%. A short cut is: Ctrl + (holding both down at the same time). Now your work space is a bit larger lets get to putting a simple shape into our nice box.
Go to your shapes button. Click on that and then go to the top of your menu and select that shape you want (Fig 2).
Fig 2
In this case I am choosing a nice circle pattern from Aimha Design. Please make sure that the pattern you are choosing complies with the authors terms of use.
- Now holding down your Ctrl key draw your shape (you hold the Ctrl key down to keep the item perfectly proportioned).
- It does not have to sit dead centre - you can do this by going to Select > All or Ctrl A.
- The whole box should be selected - then (making sure you are in your shape layer) click on Align Vertical Centers and Align Horizontal Centers (Fig 3). This will nicely center the object!
Fig 3
Now comes the fun bit! We are going to create the seamless tile.
Creating the tile
Insert a layer between the bottom layer and your shape (Fig 4).
Fig 4
Now merge your shape layer onto the new layer (so basically it no longer is a shape anymore). You do this by either Layer > Merge Down or Ctrl E.
I like to make a duplicate of this layer just in case I decide to just use the one style of pattern. You will see what I mean later. To duplicate the layer go to Layer > Duplicate Layer. Now select one of these two layers (it’s not important which one) and making sure the box is still selected - go to Filter > Other > Offset.
Put +32 in both horizontal pixels right and left (Fig 5).
Fig 5
Now your image is offset!
Because we did a duplicate of our image it also appears in the center of the tile. You can hide this if you want and add another kind of shape in there (Fig 6).
Fig 6
You can test this pattern by Edit > Define Pattern and choose a new box (256 x 256 is a good choice given that this is what you will ultimately need) (Fig 7).
Fig 7
Then using your paint bucket tool - you can 'fill' this box up with your new pattern. If you don't know where this is check the top tool bar. There will be a drop down box that says fill or pattern, select your new pattern and then click in your empty box.
Mmmmm lovely!
The middle image can be swapped out for another if you like. Just follow this strategy then pop a new shape in the middle taking care to align that shape too! Don’t forget to keep this in layers though - so you can make simple changes!
At this point you have a nice seamless tile! If you want to now use this pattern I recommend using Murano's excellent tutorial on how to bring your patterns into the Sims Workshop tool!
Good Luck!
/Nanshi
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25 Comment(s) posted so far
On Jun 8, 2009 MoMama wrote:
You did a very good job with this. I don't use PS, I use PSP, but the tutorial is clear enough that it translates easily. You gave me more to think about. Thanks!
On Jun 9, 2009 cadiva wrote:
I use Corel X10 and the only thing I can't find is the bit to Edit: Define Pattern, anyone got any clues?
On Jun 9, 2009 Raynecat wrote:
If Corel X 10 is anything like the Corel Paint Shop Pro then what you will do is go to your color pallet, select pattern, and that 64x64 image you made should be near the top of your list (depensing on how many images you have open). Select that as your pattern, then open a new image at the 256x256 size and use the flood fill tool to fil it in.
On Jun 9, 2009 terri7936 wrote:
Thanks for this informative tutorial. Will you be adding on to this to explain how to color separate this for recoloring the various parts in the game? I found HP's tutorial too difficult to follow.
On Jun 10, 2009 Colada2000 wrote:
How do ypu save the file and incorporate it onto the game??? That's my only question...
On Jun 10, 2009 InvasionOfTheSims2 wrote:
Wow good job on this wonderful tut, I will try this! Thank you!
On Jun 10, 2009 Colada2000 wrote:
How do you save the file and incorporate it onto the game??? That's my only question...
On Jun 10, 2009 Midnight222 wrote:
A good basic tutorial for the basic patterns but with missing info. What file format does it need to be saved in? eg png jpg bmp and how do you upload it into sims3? AlsoI believe that without the channels you can't change the individual colours (is this right?) ie change the white circle to say lime and the blue to white etc. Thanks for any further info! Midnight222
On Jun 11, 2009 iron mum wrote:
Great tutorial, I'm a beginner using PScs2 my only problem was it wouldn't let me define pattern but will keep trying
On Jun 11, 2009 Lisa wrote:
Thanks great tutorial for a beginner like me, I managed to create my first pattern
but how do I use that pattern with the Sims 3 workshop? I have no idea how to get my pattern to the next stage (Murano's tutorial on RGB stencil masks)
On Jun 11, 2009 tungtung97 wrote:
Thanks for your sharing. Please let me know how to find my download lots and sims in my sims 3, thanks!!!
On Jun 11, 2009 red_dragon wrote:
Hmm, i is stuck, i get to edit> define pattern & then a box appear with just pattern name, i press ok and nothing happens, no tiling effect, zilch!
On Jun 12, 2009 Allindir wrote:
how do i import it to the game?
On Jun 12, 2009 Allindir wrote:
nvermind, got it, had to download the sims 3 workshop
any way thanxxx... for those who don't know how to import check this page http://www.thesimsresource.com/workshop/articles/view-post/post/11713/Sims%203%20Workshop%20Patterns%20Plugin%20Manual ,and this one too http://www.thesimsresource.com/workshop/articles/view-post/post/11712/How%20to%20create%20a%20RGBA%20Stencil%20Mask XD xheers
On Jun 12, 2009 tkhan wrote:
Everything was simple until I got to Edit>Define Pattern. I just get a box with Pattern Name in it and nothing happens after I press ok. Please advise!
On Jun 12, 2009 cvscorpio28 wrote:
thanks this is a great tutorial...
I don't have Photoshop CS2...But I do have Photoshop Elements 4 & 6. the 6 is for illustration & graphics...would I be able to apply this program to the SW3?
On Jun 12, 2009 Allindir wrote:
tkhan to make the pattern show on the new window, select the bucket and on the top theres a selection with fill or pattern, select pattern and select the pattern you just saved XD... cheers :P
On Jun 13, 2009 cadiva wrote:
Raynecat - ahh thank you for that!
On Jun 14, 2009 Alfredo8 wrote:
thakxyouuuuuu!
On Aug 8, 2009 misskyla wrote:
On Aug 8, 2009 misskyla wrote:
this is such an awesome tutorial!! thanks so much, I plan to use it for other things besides the Sims, thanks again!
On Sep 1, 2009 stori_64 wrote:
Wow...THAT was an excellent tutorial, thanks so much. Easy to understand and quick too!
On Sep 7, 2009 DieMend wrote:
Ok, so I followed this easily and tried my hand at it using some simple heart images, but when I offset +32 on hor. and vert., it's cutting the image up at the corners so when it tiles, every other heart is missing its middle..hard to explain. Here's a pic of my problem..
[IMG]http://i26.tinypic.com/etw7ig.jpg[/IMG] (if that doesn't work try this: http://i26.tinypic.com/etw7ig.jpg)
Anyhow, it's frustrating me because I can't figure out why some of the image is missing. I've tried different offset values, but it just makes it worse and weird. Is my image too complicated?
On Nov 2, 2009 moonhunt wrote:
Thanks for this great tutorial(and link).
On Apr 24, 2010 Lava wrote:
Very useful info & easy to do. Thanks!