Creating a repeat pattern

[rebeccal11099218]

Hi Guys,

I am very new to illustrator. I have just created a pattern of flowers using layers for each flower all sitting on a simple black background.

I then went to create a repeat pattern by going WINDOWS > PATTERN OPTION > MAKE PATTERN

So firstly this notice pops up to which i pressed ok...

Then my pattern just went white blank as shown in the image attached.

Cab someone please tell me where I am going wrong if possible?

The pattern is for a repeat pattern wallpaper so the dimensions also need to be 52cm width by 75cm length but I didn't see where I could add those dimensions either?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance!

[michelew83603738]

I can't tell you exactly what went wrong, but it is clear that a pattern wasn't made, because the pattern option panel is grayed out. How did you make the pattern and was everything selected when you then went to make new pattern?

[rebeccal11099218]

As I'm so new to all of this so I just literally opened up illustrator created a new first layer which I've named the background like it's called on photoshop then I coloured that in black. Then with every layer after that I just added a pdf painted flower or leaves etc vectorised each painting on each layer and that just built it all into an amalgamation of a somewhat floral pattern. Then I just went to WINDOWS > PATTERN OPTION > MAKE PATTERN

Not sure how I select everything how would I do that?

This is literally my second day using illustrator so please excuse any obvious questions.

Thanks in advance.

[Anna Lander]

Illustrator works differently. To do anything with any item you have to select it. You don't need to create a new layer for each item, they are separate objects. So you have to select all your objects and then create a pattern with them. You can just take the Select tool (black arrow)and draw the rectangle around all objects. They will become selected. Then you can group them for more convenient work, they will collect to the top layer and transform together like linked layers in Photoshop.

Keeping them selected, open the Pattern Options panel and create your pattern.

[rebeccal11099218]

Ahh I see thank you. Although I have done as you said and selected everything with the (black arrow) but now as you can see in the attached image. The black background has gone and the pattern doesn't over lap at the top, bottom nor at the sides?

Can anyone enlighten me to where I am going wrong with all of thisand how I fix this?

• I have to have the entire background charcoal black
• The pattern needs to overlap on the top, bottom and both sides to look like a seamless repeat pattern
• and the dimensions of the pattern need to be 52cm width x 75cm length as it's for wallpaper.

Please if anyone could help me with this I would be eternally grateful as my deadline is Monday.

Thank you!!

[Anna Lander]

1. Draw the rectangle, fill it by needed color (for example, choose it in Swatches panel) and send it back (Ctrl+Shift+[).

2. Select the whole composition and create a new pattern.

3. Use Width and Height fields on the Pattern Options panel to adjust the dimensions. The blue rectangle shows the pattern edges. If you make it smaller than your artwork bounds, you'll get the overlapping parts.

[rebeccal11099218]

Thank you Anna for all your suggestions so far.

Ok so I merged all the layers into one layer, didn't realise it was different to photoshop.

drew the rectangle ove the image as you suggested coloured it in charcoal black via swatches and then went

object > arrange > send to back.

Then with the black arrow I selected the entire composition.

so then the pattern appeared like this, the black arrow red outline but also with the annoying black outline of my orginal first layer image size still showing.

Then I went to windows > pattern options > make pattern

and it turned out just black this time, no pattern again????

Can anyone please help 

Thank you!

[jane-e]

You only have the Black Rectangle selected, according to your Control panel.

[rebeccal11099218]

I clicked onto the black arrow and dragged it across the entire composition which I thought would select it all but obviously it hasn't?

How do I select the entire image, flowers inc then?

[Jeff Witchel, ACI]

Make sure your flowers are not locked. Go to Object menu > Unlock All.

If they're not Locked, what you're doing with the Selection tool should work. Also try going to the Select menu > Select all on Active Artboard.

[rebeccal11099218]

Jeff, you superstar both those suggestions worked thank you!

Although my pattern still isn't overlapping at the top, bottom, left and right. Is that a simple thing to correct?

Thanks in advance!

[jane-e]

rebeccal11099218  wrote

Although my pattern still isn't overlapping at the top, bottom, left and right. Is that a simple thing to correct?

Hi Rebecca,

Have you played with a simple pattern and read the link I sent and watched Jeff's movie? Also, compare my Options panel to yours.

[Jeff Witchel, ACI]

And like Jane-e said, look at the link she send and watch my video. Until you know the basics, Illustrator in not totally intuitive. Once you have the basics, you'll be surprised at what you can do with the greatest of ease.

[rebeccal11099218]

Ok I will do!

Thank you Jane for sending the link across and Jeff thank you for being so patient! Not sure what you mean about comparing option panels Jane but I will figure it out!

[jane-e]

rebeccal11099218  wrote

Not sure what you mean about comparing option panels Jane but I will figure it out!

Rebecca, can you see the simple red dot pattern I created? The Pattern Options panel is to the left of it in the same screen shot.

[Jeff Witchel, ACI · Accepted solution]

Get rid of the black background in the Pattern. It is only going to complicate things. You can add the black afterwards in any object as a second fill in the Appearance panel.

After you get rid of the black fill, try making the Pattern again. Change the Width and Height of the Pattern in the Pattern Options panel until the Pattern overlaps itself. It should work.

Please let me know.

[jane-e]

It looks like you jumped into making a pattern without learning how first? You can make a pattern either by dragging it into Swatches or by selecting artwork and using the Pattern Options panel. You can double-click the pattern in Swatches to return to Pattern Edit.

Read this:

How to create and edit patterns in Illustrator

And then start with a simple pattern until you understand the controls. After you have played with it, ask about the controls that still don't make sense.

At the top in the left are the controls to exit Pattern Edit mode:

[Jeff Witchel, ACI]

To continue with Jane's thoughts, here's a video that may help: http://www.jeffwitchel.net/2012/07/create-simply-amazing-patterns/

It's quite possible that what you have already is close to working. By changing the Width and the Height and what is in front, it could work beautifully.

[ceyhun_akgun]

You can do this through the Illustrator Pattern Maker panel.

Create the image in the frame of the measurement you want to give while you are working.

Especially the outline will be the position of the pattern, its structure is very important.

Then, you can apply it by converting Pattern Designer to Pattern Maker.