If you’re making backgrounds, improving your illustrations, or designing custom textiles, you may want to know how to create patterns in Illustrator. Mastering this skill can help you turn almost any design element into geometric shapes or intricate artwork.
In this guide, we will walk you through two different methods for this purpose and provide steps for the most simple one so you can easily grasp the basics.
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Methods to Create Patterns In Illustrator
In Adobe Illustrator, you can create pattern swatches using two different methods, depending on the type and difficulty of the design you wish to make.
Method 1: Pattern Options Panel
Pattern Options is a dedicated panel in Adobe Illustrator that quickly creates basic geometric shape pattern swatches. However, it is not suitable for complex designs.
Method 2: From Image
In this method, you can take a picture with the pattern you like, crop it in Photoshop or any image cropping tool to remove rough edges, and then embed it on the artboard in Adobe Illustrator. The downside is that the image may lose quality when you scale it up or down.
Steps to Create a New Pattern Swatch in Adobe Illustrator
Below are the step-by-step instructions on how to add a pattern swatch in Illustrator using the Pattern Options panel.
Step 1: Open the Document in Illustrator
First, launch Adobe Illustrator on your computer and click “New File” on the main dashboard.
Select the file type or manually enter the width and height in pixels and click “Create” to open the editing interface.
Step 2: Create a Basic Design
Now, use the “Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, Star, or Line Segment Tools” or “Pen/Brushes” to create a simple design that you want to repeat.
To fill in the shape color, click the Fill and Stroke option from the left menu and choose the shade you like.
Step 3: Access the Pattern Options
In the next step, use the “Selection” tool to select all the elements on the artboard.
Then, click “Object” in the top menu bar, select “Pattern,” and choose “Make” from the sub-menu to open the pattern editing mode. You’ll see that your pattern is instantly converted into repeated swatches on the artboard.
Now, select the “Tile Type” and set the tile size and overlaps to get the desired effect from the Patten Options window.
Step 4: Save the Swatches
Finally, click “Done” in the top menu ribbon to save the pattern to your “Swatches” panel.
You can now access the swatches panel from the right-side menu and apply your new pattern to any object or shape in your project.
Tips & Tricks
Experiment With Tile Types
The Pattern Options panel has different tile types like Grid, Brick by Row, and Hex by Column. Play around with these options to see which one suits your pattern swatch design best.
Test Your Pattern
Apply your pattern swatches to different objects to see how they look. This will help you find any issues and make necessary adjustments.
Double-Check Your Spacing
Before finalizing your pattern swatch, zoom in to make sure there aren’t any awkward gaps or overlaps between elements. A quick way to spot these is to preview your pattern on a large artboard.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Forgetting to Group Elements
If your design has multiple pieces, make sure to use the “Selection” tool to group them before turning them into a pattern. Otherwise, the Pattern Options may create a swatch that contains only one element.
Making Patterns Too Complex
Trying to fit too many elements into a single pattern tile can make your design look cluttered and hard to work with. Think carefully about which elements are important and avoid cramping them together.
Using a Non-Repeatable Design
Patterns need to flow flawlessly. Designs with mismatched edges will look disconnected when repeated. So, always test the repeat before finalizing the swatch.
FAQs
Can I Edit a Pattern Swatch After Creating It?
Yes, simply double-click the pattern swatch in the Swatches Panel. This opens the Pattern Options Panel, where you can make changes. After that, click Done in the top menu bar to save the updates.
How Do I Scale a Pattern Without Resizing The Object?
To scale a pattern, select the object with the pattern fill, then click “Object” in the top ribbon, choose “Transform,” and select “Scale” from the sub-menu. In the dialog box, uncheck Transform Objects and adjust the scale of the pattern only.
How Do I Delete a Pattern Swatch?
Open the Swatches Panel from the right sidebar or Windows sub-menu, select the pattern swatch you no longer need, and click the Trash Bin icon at the bottom of the panel.
Conclusion
As we wrap up, you’ve learned how to create patterns in Illustrator and convert them to swatches using the Pattern Options. We’ve also provided some tips and tricks and common mistakes to avoid for better results.
Remember that mastering patterns takes time. So, always start with simple geometric designs before working with more complex swatches.
