Skip to main content
davescm
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 1, 2025
Question

Something for the Weekend - Part 246 - Holding Pattern!

  • August 1, 2025
  • 34 replies
  • 4304 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 3, 2025

I used the symmetry to see shapes ... and you what do you see 😁 ?

 

  

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
August 4, 2025

It's funny how we are programmed to see faces and animals in shapes like this, or in clouds. You've finished them very nicely in the second image, Christelle.
Dave

Joseph Labrecque
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 3, 2025

Completed entirely with Substance 3D Stager, the gen AI tools within it, and a couple of models from Substance 3D Assets. 

Don't eat the soup... 

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
August 4, 2025

I'm not sure whether the mouse is enjoying the contents of the bowl, or becoming part of them! 🙂
Dave

AlanGilbertson
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 2, 2025

The Secret Life of Cells, Part 63: Apoplexitosis

I hadn't seen Jacob's version before I did this, but the faces were inescapable.

A little genAI (the angry dude in the middle and the coronaviridae), some by-hand painting to bring out the expressions and remove the noise. The "energy" was done in Illustrator and pasted back into Photoshop as a smart object.

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
August 4, 2025

Haha - 'Apoplexitosis' indeed! 🙂
Dave

daniellei4510
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 2, 2025

A maze.

 

 

Adobe Community Expert | If you can't fix it, hide it; if you can't hide it, delete it.
davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
August 4, 2025

I'm sure he'll reach the cheese. Nice idea.
Dave

@mj
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 2, 2025

Thnx for the challenge @davescm 

Trevor.Dennis
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 10, 2025

That's beautifully reshaped. I wonder if some shading would add to the 3D effect?

EuanWilliamson
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 2, 2025

Inbound

 

Best regards, Euan.
davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
August 2, 2025

I see you added a runway to the island to give him a smooth landing, Euan. 🙂
Dave

War Unicorn
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 2, 2025

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
August 2, 2025

A nice abstract image as always, James.

Jacob Bugge
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 1, 2025

 

 

Click to get closer, Click again to get closer still

 

 

Just a wee bit of drawing and moving about, and a few kinds of masking.

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
August 2, 2025

The eyes bring them to life, but Grandad in the picture frame is a very nice touch.
Dave

Jacob Bugge
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 2, 2025

Thank you very much, Dave.

chrisc99675295
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 1, 2025

If I got to run the laboratory... Welcome to the Skate Lab!

1) I generated a Firefly image with the prompt "Firefly_skateboard ramp at a skatepark inside a cleanroom with laboratories and microscopes".
2) Then used that as a background in Dimension where I added the 3d skateboard (from Adobe Stock).
3) The graphic didn't show with "Ray Tracing" enabled, so I rendered it with a blank deck then opened it in Photoshop to apply the skateboard/cell graphic.

Have a RAD weekend, everyone! 

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
August 2, 2025

Very appropriate use of the pattern, Chris. It works well on a skateboard.
Dave 

chrisc99675295
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 4, 2025

Thanks, Dave! I'll take any chance I get to play with a skateboard (on the computer or real life : )  I have yet to design a deck graphic. They're a work of art themselves. Someday!

Greg_S.
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 1, 2025

 

Created using Photoshop Elements

Used a Pattern Stamp to fill the page.

Used a Guided Edit to create an Andy Warhol Poster effect.

Used another Guided Edit to create the Puzzle Effect.

Finally, rotated the extracted pieces layer.

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertAuthor
Community Expert
August 2, 2025

Is it just me that wants to finish the jigsaw? 🙂
Dave