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davescm
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August 1, 2025
Question

Something for the Weekend - Part 246 - Holding Pattern!

  • August 1, 2025
  • 34 replies
  • 4384 views

Hi,

Thanks to all who took part in our previous challenge, there were some great ideas to hide the cellphone mast. 

 

This week we have something a bit different. I made this cell like pattern in Adobe Substance 3D Designer. It was for a different purpose and was made with a full set of 3D maps to use as a material. I wondered though what this group could make with the Base Colour map? So here it is. You could use all of it, part of it, or tile it (it was made to tile) and use the extended pattern to make something new.

 

When you post your response can you add just a few words on how you went about it. It may help others see the potential of different approaches, software, and tools to such a challenge.

The “rules”:

  • Use the starter image as at least part of your own image entry.
  • Anything goes, as long as it meets the forum rules on decency, copyright, etc.
  • Anyone, and everyone, is welcome to have a go, whether you are a complete beginner or a Photoshop expert. This is not just for our forum “regulars”.
  • The challenge is not limited to Photoshop. Any Adobe software can be used. 
  • There are no prizes apart from the chance to practice, show off your skills, or bring a bit of humor and fun. Don't be shy, join in and have a go!
  • The starter image is made available for you to use in this forum challenge only.

 

To download the starter image, hover over the image and click on the circle with the arrows at the top right. Then, when the image opens in its own window, right click and choose “Save Image As/Save Target As” (or similar depending on your browser).



When posting back your image — please use the blue reply button in this first post and use the 'Insert Photos' icon at the top of the reply box. If posting a comment on someone else’s entry, then please use the grey reply button next to their image post.

 

Have fun!

 

Dave

34 replies

Community Expert
August 21, 2025

Very late for this one but wanted to keep up my 'full' SFTW participation 🙂

Can you spot the odd cell?

Jacob Bugge
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 21, 2025

I can, Dean, even four more than one.

 

davescm
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davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
August 15, 2025

Hi 
Thanks to all who took part in this challenge. The new challenge is now up an running here : https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/something-for-the-weekend-part-247-the-finest-cut/td-p/15460319

Dave

Participating Frequently
August 12, 2025

That base colour map instantly gave me a “micro-universe” vibe, so I decided to create a surreal deep-space scene. I imported the texture into Photoshop on macOS, tiled it for a repeating starfield background, and then used a combination of layer masks and blend modes to integrate it with nebula shapes generated in Adobe Fresco.
For depth, I applied a displacement map from the original cell pattern to distort some light flares, giving the illusion of looking through an alien lens. The result feels like a blend between microscopy and astronomy, exactly the kind of unexpected crossover that makes these challenges so fun.

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
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August 15, 2025

Hi @lara_1081 Your image is not in your post. If you use the image icon at the top of the posting box is should embed in your post.
Dave

fbeaume
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 11, 2025

Travelling cells

davescm
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davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
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August 15, 2025

Very nice - the pattern works well as a material on that balloon. Did you use Photoshop to distort it or did you take, in my view the simpler way, and use a 3D application?
Dave

Jumpenjax
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Community Expert
August 22, 2025

Very creative!

Lee- Graphic Designer, Print Specialist, Photographer
J E L
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August 11, 2025

davescm
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davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
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August 15, 2025

Sold! 🙂  A nice job with the image and the box, although the edge text could do with distorting to match the perspective. I find popping it into a smart object and using transform > distort on the smart object works well for that.

J E L
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 21, 2025

Great idea, @davescm. Thanks for the tip!

Jumpenjax
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Community Expert
August 11, 2025

It is on a cellular level. 🤣 Using Photoshop, playing with colors, embossing, overlays and patterns.

Lee- Graphic Designer, Print Specialist, Photographer
davescm
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davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
August 15, 2025

I like the embossed look to that, Jumpenjax. My original material that I took the flat pattern from, for the starter image, was a 3D material with height that looked similar.
Dave

Jumpenjax
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Community Expert
August 22, 2025

Thanks Dave, that is funny. I have never seen this art before.

Lee- Graphic Designer, Print Specialist, Photographer
Henrik Heigl
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Community Expert
August 10, 2025

23 Days later...

 

regards,Henrik
davescm
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davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
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August 10, 2025

If it reaches 28 days do we get the rage virus? 🙂
Dave

Leslie Moak Murray
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Community Expert
August 10, 2025

Wallpaper! (Not recommended if you drop acid) I took the window from one of my illustrations, the stool from another one.

Trevor.Dennis
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 10, 2025
quote

Wallpaper! (Not recommended if you drop acid) 

By @Leslie Moak Murray


I have no idea what you are talking about Leslie.

GET THOSE SPIDERS AWAY FROM ME!

Jacob Bugge
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 10, 2025

No more awaydays, Trevor?

 

Rollan Banez
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Community Expert
August 8, 2025

Creative Community Leader / Educator - Empowering fellow educators with creativity and innovation
Trevor.Dennis
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 10, 2025

They have to be a pair of Pat Butcher (East Enders) ear rings.

Semaphoric
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 7, 2025

Tenfold Vortex

 

davescm
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davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
August 7, 2025

Nicely done - what did you use to collapse the pattern to the centre, was it Distort > Pinch?
Dave

Semaphoric
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 7, 2025

A row of ten across the image 16% from the top, Polar Coordinates, and lots of CTRL+ALT+Shift+T.

I was getting somewhat frazzled working on this, since I have something similar I did a couple of years ago, but couldn't remember just how I did it. Lots of "Let me try this … Okay, how about THIS … Okay …"