Problems creating Seamless pattern

[Naomi5DAF]

Hi, 

Please help! I've spent all morning trying to get this pattern to repeat. It seems the pixels are off in the pattern, not sure why because the box is 426px square. I changed the document preference to Pixels.

Steps I follow to create pattern:

1. Create a square box i.e. 426px x 426 px; arrange motifs; copy and move motifs hanging over edge to opposite edges exactly 426px vertical or horizontal

2. Select Box and Fill it the background color I want

3. Cmd C, then Cmd B on that Box (copying and sending it to the back); removing all fill and stroke from that box

4. Drag into swatches panel

5. Test pattern using marque tool and clicking on swatch

Thank you!

[Jacob Bugge]

Naomi,

It is crucial that the box is contained within whole pixels on the Artboard, in other words integer values of X and Y at the corners (checking for one corner is enough).

In this case with even numbers for W and H, you can also just make sure the centre has integer values of X and Y (with an odd number the centre must be at a .5 value of X/Y so the corners values can be ingerer).

[Naomi5DAF]

I don't understand where I change the x and y to even numbers. I started with a box 426px x 426px in the X and Y (width and height) values. It's only showing un-even numbers after I've dragged the pattern into the swatches and then double clicked to open Pattern Options panel.

[Ton Frederiks]

I believe something went wrong with the invisible rectangle in the background. The tile is sized to all pattern components.

When using the method of dragging to the swatches panel, it is good to check the layers panel before dragging.

If you have selected all, is the bottom object in the layers panel really the no stroke/fill 426 px rectangle?

When you use the other method, the Pattern maker it is better to start with a 426 px rectangle only and then add items, using copy/paste or drag and drop from other documents.

[Naomi5DAF]

I was hoping this was the solution, but I checked the layers panel and the invisible square was at the bottom of layers panel. Not extra rectangles/squares selected either. I tried to make pattern again, still no luck. I'll upload a photo of it, check i'm not going mad!

I'll try pattern maker. I have used it in the past but stopped for some reason and my other method was working perfeclty for ages.

[Ton Frederiks]

It would help if we could have a look at your Illustrator file.

You can share it with DropBox, WeTransfer or similar sharing apps.

Or you can save as PDF andattach it here in the forum.

[Naomi5DAF]

Thank you very much! Something was wrong with the box, still not sure what is was - but it fixed after I cleared appearances

[Monika Gause]

the box has something applied in the appearance panel.

Maybe a brush.

Open the Appearance panel and click on the button that deletes all appearances.

[Naomi5DAF]

 Very strange. I've attached what I found in the Appearance window, nothing there that doesn't belong - i don't think. I Cleared Appearances anyway and now the pattern works. Bug in the system? Ghost appearances?

 Thanks for your help!

[Monika Gause]

Sometimes there are things applied that you do not see in the appearance panel. But you can see that in the layers panel when the target symbol is filled.