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Pattern won't add to Swatches

Forum|Forum|3 years ago
July 5, 2022
4 replies
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I have downloaded a liceneced repeating pattern from Adobe Stock, and want to use it to fill an object.

I thought all I had to do was drag it into the Swatches panel, and use it, however, no matter what I try it never adds to Swatches.

Is there something I'm missing? I don't see an option to add a pattern specifically...

thanks

Barry

How to

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Correct answer Laubender

Ok. Here the link to that asset:

https://stock.adobe.com/de/images/seamless-pattern-of-scottish-tartan-plaid-repeatable-background/408058342

I'd suggest you download the AI file and work from that to create a pattern:

Here a screenshot where I opened the downloaded AI file in my German Illustrator 2022:

Basically it consists of a group of elements.

Object > Pattern > Make…

will do what you want, it converts the group of object to a pattern and adds the pattern to the Swatches panel:

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Professional )

L

Laubender

Community Expert

Hi Barry,

did you buy a license to an artwork that is showing a repeating pattern from Adobe Stock?

What kind of file did you download?

Best also post the link to that artwork on Adobe Stock.

EDIT: Well, you posted while I was writing this.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Professional )

L

Laubender

Correct answer

Community Expert

Ok. Here the link to that asset:

https://stock.adobe.com/de/images/seamless-pattern-of-scottish-tartan-plaid-repeatable-background/408058342

I'd suggest you download the AI file and work from that to create a pattern:

Here a screenshot where I opened the downloaded AI file in my German Illustrator 2022:

Basically it consists of a group of elements.

Object > Pattern > Make…

will do what you want, it converts the group of object to a pattern and adds the pattern to the Swatches panel:

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Professional )

BarryWhitelawAuthor

Known Participant

Thank you Uwe.

I admit I find the pattern section in Illustrator a little confusing!

For instance, I can now create this as a pattern following your steps, however, how do I then save that so it can be used in other documents? So far I can use it in the document the pattern was made in, but when I switch tabs, it doesn't show. Is there a way to save into the 'master patterns'?

Again, many thanks for your help. Barry.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

If nothing helps, please show a screenshot of that artwork in the Layers panel.

BarryWhitelawAuthor

Known Participant

Hi. So the in the layers panel, it shows as a linked file. I'm not completely sure what that means(new to Illustrator) but have searched how to unlink, and none work.

I did find a menu option called Links, but there appears to be nothing in there to unlink!

BarryWhitelawAuthor

Known Participant

Met1

Legend

If you click on item and then go to Window→Pattern Options then choose the very obscure drop down menu top right and choose Make Pattern, does it work?