Tea's Computer Graphics - Tutorial

BASIC TECHNIQUE FOR SEAMLESS PATTERNS

ILLUSTRATOR TUTORIAL + FREE VECTOR FILE
Level: Intermediate

This step-by-step tutorial will help you create repeating pattern swatches in Adobe Illustrator.  I am using CS3, but the tutorial is compatible to other versions. The method can be applied to make a different kind of backgrounds. If you want to use your own elements, you can skip the Part 1. Let’s get started!

PART 1
HOW TO CREATE PATTERN ELEMENTS 

To draw a little bird:

Step 1
Make a quick sketch of a bird.  Scan your sketch to use it as reference or take a snapshot. You can also use any photos that you already have on your computer.  Open the bird picture in Illustrator.  Or if you prefer import the photo into your Illustrator document  (go to File > Place).
Step 2
Lock the layer containing the bird photo.
Step 3
Create the second layer.
Step 4
On the second layer hand trace over your sketch or photo using the Pen Tool (no fill) to draw out the bird silhouette.  It is sometimes necessary to smooth out the curves slightly - you can use the Smooth Tool (it is hidden under the Pencil Tool).
Step 5 
Select nice colors and color your bird (fill, no stroke). Select all > Group.
Step 6
Delete the 1st layer containing the reference photo.  Save your file.
Step 5
Now to add some details.  Select nice colors and color your bird (fill, no stroke). Select all > Group.
Step 6
Delete the 1st layer containing the reference photo.  Save your file.

To design a 5 petal flower:

Step 1
In a new layer draw a pentagon shape and a 5 pointed star (the star should be slightly bigger).
Step 2
Place the pentagon inside the star and align the centers. You may also want to move and rotate one of
the shapes just a little to align the corners.
Step 3
Select both shapes and divide them, using the Pathfinder Tool (Pathfinder>Divide).
Step 4
Ungroup. Delete any redundant shapes. Just leave the 5 triangles to be turned into petals.
Step 5
Select the triangles individually and scale them to 70 percent.
Step 6
Select all outer anchor points and convert them to smooth.

Step 7
Select the inner anchor points and align them: 'Vertical Distribute Center', then  'Horizontal  Distribute Center' (in your Align window).
Step 8
Use the Ellipse Tool to make center. Color your flower. Group the flower. Lock the layer.
TIP:    You can have even more fun by hand drawing your own pretty flower.

To draw leaves:

Step 1
Create a new layer.
Step 2
Draw inner lines - use a slightly bolder stroke ... depending on the size of your picture.
Step 3 
Draw leaf shape (make it a bit smaller). Select the inner lines and hit Object > Path > Outline Stroke. 

Step 4         
Select all. Go to Pathfinder > Divide.
Step 5         
Select and delete the inner lines. Color the leaf.
Step 6         
Group the leaf and make a few copies.

A tip:   To create more varieties use Envelope Distort feature (Object  >  Envelope  Distort  >  Make with Wrap) and play with different styles. Then go to: Object  >  Envelope Distort  > Expand to return the leaf to its vector status, with Bezier curves. You can also rotate, reflect and scale your object.

PART 2
HOW TO CREATE A PATTERN SWATCH

To create pattern:

Step 1
Go back to the bird file. Create a new layer. Paste the flower and the leaves there.
Step 2
Create a new layer for background (as a bounding box for your pattern swatch).
Pull this layer to the bottom of the Layers Palette. Create a square.
It doesn’t really matter what size, but in this tutorial I’m using a
400px x 400px  background rectangle (and my Artbord is the same size).
You can color it or leave it transparent, but set stroke to None.
Step  3
Align the square to the Artboard.  Make  sure your  Artboard is the the size of the your bounding box.
(File > Document Setup > Width and  Height). Lock the layer.
Step 4
Go to the two layers above (containing your pattern elements - (bird, flower and leaves). Make several
copies of your elements, scale them,  rotate, reflect or skew them as you like, to create more variety. 
Step 5
Now start arranging the objects in their layers. Place your elements inside the Artboard (bounding box)
boundaries freely but to achieve best result you want to place some elements over the boundaries.

Important:  Whenever you place an element over the bounding box boundaries you need to send its exact copy  to the opposite boundary. Go to: Object > Transform > Move  (enter 400 px)  > Copy.
You can move an element either horizontally or vertically  (+ or - 400 px).

When you are happy merge the two upper layers (with birds, flowers and leaves).
Select all the layers you want to merge, holding down Ctr.
From the layers palette fly-out menu click: Merge selected.

As you get more skilled, you will be able create your patterns on a single layer.
However distributing elements to different layers will give more control to those of you who
are new to creating patterns. 

Step  6
Unlock the lowest layer, select and copy the background square. Lock the layer again.
Step 7
Paste the square on top of your pattern elements (Paste in front). Select all. Go to Pathfinder > Crop.

Step 8
Unlock the background layer. Select all. Go to Edit > Define pattern.
Now you can see your New Pattern in the Swatches Palette.

 That’s all - your pattern is done!

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