Can't drag a defined pattern out of pop up to a selected object

[intdezinergrl]

Hi All,

First time posting here. Thanks in advance for any help. I'm at an adv beginner level.

I work in design where I am often applying patterns to sofas or rugs but wish to maintain the texture of the object. I've typically done this by defining a pattern in one window (scaling as necessary), then going to another window where the object is, using the Object Selection Tool to select the area I want to apply the pattern to - Pattern Stamp Tool - select the pattern in the pop up window and drag it onto the selected area and voila- The pattern changes while the texture of the object is maintained. Sometimes the pattern can be somewhat flat but then I adjust it in blend mode and play around with opacity until things look just right.

This evening I went to use the same process to apply a pattern to part of a stair runner that I had selected with the Quick Selection tool. After I selected the Pattern Stamp Tool, I went up to the pop up to drag my defined pattern, and I can move it within the pop up window, but I cannot drag it to my selected object to apply the pattern evenly within the space in one single action. I can only click and then manually paint, which produces the pattern in an uneven, flat manner, completely removing the texture and essentially the whole item.

I have attached a photo of how this process has worked for me previously - I included the original image, the fabric (defined pattern) I applied, and the final result. For whatever reason, this evening I cannot apply a defined pattern to a rug whatsoever.  I have tried to reset my tool presets, but nothing. When I tried to use the same process I had for the same sofa and pattern again, now I can only manually paint the pattern using the brush tool, I suddenly cannot apply the pattern in one action. When I click on the pattern in the pop up box I can move it around as to reorganize it, but I cannot drag it out of the pop up box.

Can somebody please assist?  I've researched tutorials about changing the pattern of something but maintaining the texture (for clothes for example) but they're all 30+ minutes long. I know there is a much quicker fix- because I've been using it already.

Help!! Thx!

[Bojan Živković · Accepted solution]

Not sure what are you describing as problem. In your PSD files you have one file with pattern and two files where that pattern is applied to raster based layer which is masked. 

To fill raster based layer with pattern you can use Edit > Fill or Shift + F5. I never tried to drag pattern from Options bar while Pattern Stamp is selected. Try draging pattern from WIndow > Patterns.

[intdezinergrl]

Thanks Bojan! This is what I needed. I guess I somehow completely forgot a step, and accessing my notes seems to have forgotten the step too. It was Windows-Patterns that helped, I don't know why I thought I needed to drag the pattern out of the pop-window. Many thx!

[melissapiccone]

Why do you need the pattern stamp tool at all? You are using a pattern overlay. I'm not understanding the problem. If PS stopped working correctly, try resetting your preferences. With a pattern overlay you don't need a tool, just the mask. 

[intdezinergrl]

Hi @melissapiccone. I'm more of an adv beginner with PS. If there is a more efficient and precise way of changing a pattern but maintaing texture of an object, I would love to learn how to use just a pattern overlay and a mask. Sorry if this sounds hopelessly beginner level. Thank you.