How to Use a Basic Pattern in Photoshop
A pattern is an image that’s repeated; you can use patterns to fill in layers or selections. While Photoshop has preset patterns, you can create and save new patterns.
Open an image you want to use as a pattern base. Use the Rectangle Marquee tool to select an area to use as a pattern. If you want to use the entire image as your fill, go to Select > Select All. Select Edit > Define Pattern. In the Define Pattern dialog box, name the pattern and select OK. Open or create another image. Select the layer you want to fill, or make a selection using the Rectangular Marquee or another selection tool. Go to Edit > Fill. Select Pattern. Next to Custom Pattern, select the down-arrow. Select your new custom pattern. Leave the Script checkbox deselected. (Scripted patterns are JavaScripts that randomly place an item defined as a pattern either in the selection or on a layer. ) Choose a Blending Mode to have your pattern interact with the colors of the pixels of the image it is placed over, especially if it is on a separate layer. Select OK. View your result. Add additional fills as needed to create your vision.
What Is a Pattern in Photoshop?
A pattern is an image or line art that can be tiled repeatedly. Tiling means subdividing a computer graphics selection into a series of squares and placing them on a layer or within the selection. Thus, a pattern in Photoshop is essentially a tiled image.
Using patterns eliminates the need to create intricate objects using a repeatable image template. For example, if a selection must be filled with blue dots, using a pattern reduces that task to a mouse click.
Make custom patterns from photos or line art, use the preset patterns that come with Photoshop, or download and install pattern libraries from various online sources.
Tips for Using Patterns in Photoshop
To maximize the usefulness of patterns in Photoshop, keep the following in mind:
Only rectangular selections can be defined as a pattern in some very old versions of Photoshop. In the Fill dialog, check the box to Preserve Transparency if you want to fill only a layer’s non-transparent portions. If you’re applying a pattern to a layer, select the layer and apply a Pattern Overlay in the Layer styles pop-down. Another way of adding a pattern is to use the Paint Bucket tool to fill the layer or selection. Select Pattern from the Tool Options. Your pattern collection is found in a library. Select Window > Libraries to open your libraries. You can also create content using the Adobe Touch Apps and have them available in your Creative Cloud library.
