Defining patterns

You use the Edit > Define Pattern command to create new patterns based on a selection.

To define a preset pattern:

1. Use the rectangle marquee tool on any open image to select an area to use as a pattern. Feather must be set to 0 px. Note that large images may become unwieldy.
2. Choose Edit > Define Pattern.
3. (Photoshop) Enter a name for the pattern in the Pattern Name dialog box.

Note: If you are using a pattern from one image and applying it to another, Photoshop converts the color mode.

To use a preset pattern from the PostScript Patterns folder:

1. Choose File > Open. Each preset file in the PostScript Patterns folder (which comes with Photoshop) contains a single pattern in the Adobe Illustrator format. You can scale and render these patterns at any resolution.
2. Select the pattern file you want to use, and click Open.
3. Select any rasterizing options. (See Opening and importing images.)
4. Make a rectangular selection around the pattern, or make no selection to use the whole image.
5. Choose Edit > Define Pattern.
6. (Photoshop) Enter a name for the pattern in the Pattern Name dialog box.