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Repeating patterns can add a touch of elegance and visual interest to your designs, whether you’re working on digital scrapbooking, textile design, or any other creative project.

In this tutorial, we’ll explore how to use Photoshop actions to effortlessly generate captivating repeating patterns.

The actions demonstrated in this tutorial are available inside Quick Pattern Maker with Photoshop Actions

Introduction to Photoshop Actions for Repeating Patterns

Here at Lemon Paper Lab we like to work with actions to help speed up the workflow when it comes to designing in Photoshop. These actions are versatile and can be used with two objects or a single object in two different colors.

If you’re interested in acquiring these Photoshop actions, you can find them here.

Getting Started: Loading and Setting Up Photoshop Actions

1. Accessing Photoshop Actions Panel: Launch Photoshop and open the Actions panel by navigating to `Window` > `Actions`. If the Actions panel is not visible, you can find it under the `Windows` menu.

2. Loading Actions: Load the Photoshop actions by clicking on the small menu icon in the top-right corner of the Actions panel. Select `Load Actions` and locate the file with a \”.atn\” extension that you’ve purchased.

3. Creating a New Document: Open a new Photoshop document with dimensions of 1200 pixels by 1200 pixels. It’s crucial to use this canvas size as the actions are optimized for this dimension. Ensure that the artboards option is not selected.

4. Document Settings: Set the resolution to 300 pixels per inch, choose RGB color mode, and set the background content to transparent. Create the document.

Generating Repeating Patterns Using Photoshop Actions

These Photoshop actions offer an array of possibilities for creating repeating patterns. Let’s dive into the process:

Basic Dot Style Pattern

1. Creating Objects: Use the Ellipse Shape tool (U) to draw two circles, holding Shift for a perfect circle. Right-click on each shape and convert them to smart objects.

2. Customizing Colors: Modify the colors of the circles. Double-click on the smart object’s thumbnail, change the color, save (Ctrl+S), and close (Ctrl+W) the object.

3. Running Actions: Select the two smart objects, then run the \”Dot Two Objects\” action from the Actions panel. Click the play button, and the action will create a repeating dot pattern.

4. Viewing Patterns: In the Layers panel, the original objects will be hidden, and a group containing the repeating pattern will be created. The Patterns panel (Windows > Patterns) will show the newly generated patterns.

Exploring Different Styles

1. Variety of Actions: These Photoshop actions include different styles like \”Dot Style,\” \”Brick Style,\” and \”Half Drop (HD).\” Each action has specific variations denoted by naming conventions.

2. Creating Diagonal Ascending Pattern: Following a similar process, use the \”Dot Style Two Objects Diagonal Ascending\” action to generate a unique diagonal pattern.

3. Trying Brick Style: Experiment with the \”Brick Style Two Objects Rotation by Row\” action to create captivating brick-like arrangements.

4. Playing with Colors: Remember, you can easily change the colors of patterns by selecting different options in the Patterns panel.

Applying Patterns to Create Digital Paper

1. New Document for Patterns: Open a new document with dimensions of 3600 pixels by 3600 pixels for digital scrapbook paper or any desired size.

2. Pattern Adjustment Layer: Add a Pattern Fill adjustment layer and select your desired pattern from the Patterns panel.

3. Background Color: Incorporate a solid color adjustment layer for the background and adjust its color as needed.

4. Duplicating Artboards: Utilize artboards for multiple pattern variations. Duplicate artboards using the Artboard tool (Shift + V) and experiment with different patterns and colors.

Conclusion

Our Photoshop actions provide a seamless way to create stunning repeating patterns, giving your designs an artistic edge. Whether you’re crafting digital scrapbooking elements or experimenting with textile designs, these actions offer endless creative possibilities.

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