Help w/ masked Pattern Pen

[Jinbrown]

Hi Karen,


If you can post a couple of demo images showing us what the problem is (both the Pattern image and how it paints), and tell us exactly what part of Help Topics you used for instructions, maybe we can offer a better solution.

For now, here's what I can offer.

Paint to remove the seam:

1. Capture the Pattern and save it in the Patterns library.

2. In the Patterns palette menu, choose Check Out Pattern.

3. Choose the Grabber tool, hold down the Shift key, and drag the image so the seam is in the center.

4. Paint to remove the seam.

5. When you're finished painting to remove the seam, save the Pattern again with a new name so you won't overwrite the original Pattern in case this one still isn't what you want.


If you'd rather Clone paint to remove the seam:

1. Capture the Pattern and save it in the Patterns library.

2. In the Patterns palette menu, choose Check Out Pattern.

3. Choose a Cloners variant.

4. Hold down the Alt/Option key and click in a source area you want to Clone paint into the seam area.

5. Paint in the seam area to remove the seam using short strokes.

6. You may need to hold down the Alt/Option key and click again in another source area you want to Clone paint into the seam area as you move to paint in another area of the seam.

7. When you're finished Clone painting to remove the seam, save the Pattern again with a new name so you won't overwrite the original Pattern in case this one still isn't what you want.



Jin

[Munk]

Hi Karen,

I'm guessing that you will not be as satisfied with the masked pattern method of painting your hair morph as you would if you made a couple of nozzles from the hair. The masked pattern pen is adequate for smooth arcs or straight line work but won't offer the flexibility that the Image Hose will. Take the time to make a couple nozzles and spray them using a little jitter control or tilt. Maybe, adjust the spacing a bit. Do this on several layers. You can easily reselect the layers to add shadows and hi-lights using low opacity and the airbrush. Play with it a bit and I think you will pleasantly surprised at the results.


Jin's method works great for making a standard pattern seamless, the type you often see in web page designs or some 3D textures. The seamless "masked" pattern often has gaps or holes in them to allow anything they are used on top of to show through the gaps or holes.

If I were going to make the masked pattern, this is the method I would use:

1. Open your image, crop the area so that you have a little extra space at the ends. You need this space later on to make the pattern seamless.

2. Click on the Grid, make it large enough to see easily if that helps you decide what you want in the crop. Remember, both ends of the crop will have to meet so be mindful of the each edge of the crop. What's in-between should be a mixture of long, short and curly hairs.

3. Turn the canvas into a layer using the Alt key so the original is left on the canvas. Hide the layer, lock it, then reselect the canvas.

4. Create a new Channel.

5. Paint out the area of the channel you want to use. The hair will likely overlap in areas, leaving holes. Variety is good.

6. When you're done, load the channel as a selection and turn it into a layer. Make a duplicate of this in case you need to make corrections in the future. Save the file.

7. Drop and Select the channel layer.

8. Go to the Patterns Palette and choose the Define Pattern command.

9. Choose the Grabber tool, press the Shift key while you click and drag the selection. Move it until you see the slight gap (those white areas you mentioned).

10. Access the lasso tool and add hair like protrusions to the selection until the gap is included inside it.

11. Clone some of the hair into the gap area.

12. Capture the pattern.

13. Give it a test run.


Hope this helps you get where you want to go.

Munk

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