Create a Seamless Tile Pattern in Photoshop

To create a pattern for The Sims 3, we were given CAP (Create A Pattern) which contained images that we could use.  Here is a great example of patterns made with CAP from All About Style:

However, you can only make so many patterns with the same images and although you can import images into CAP, I found that it didn't really give a good result.  I soon realised that TSR Workshop's pattern feature for me was the best way to make patterns for the game.

Creating patterns for The Sims 3 means that the user can change the colour of them in game to suit their own needs and also apply them to not just clothing but also furniture, wallpaper and curtains etc.

On many of my toddlers and childrens clothing items for The Sims 3, especially the sleepwear, I like to create a pattern with the image I create in Photoshop.  The way I do it is unconventional and does not contain the channels needed to change the colours or apply the pattern to other items and therefore they are non-recolourable.  However, as I use my pattern as an overlay, I don't need to create them the 'right' way.

For example, my Rainbow Sleepwear for Toddler Girls had a little rainbow on two of the variations with a rainbow pattern on one half of one variation and a rainbow pattern on the whole of another variation:

This creates an item of clothing which is more unique as the pattern is not seen as a pattern in game as such and therefore cannot be used for other items.

Whether you create a 'proper' pattern which has channels to enable the user to change the colour and use it on whatever item they wish, or whether you create a pattern as I do, for an overlay on an item of clothing, you will need to seamless tile by hand in Photoshop, or whatever paint program you are using.

If you've never done this before, it may seem a little daunting but it is very easy to do and much easier than creating a seamless tile with 'channels'.  To create a pattern with 'channels' you need to keep the colours seperate and usually you only get to have 3 or 4 channels or colours.  By creating a seamless tiled pattern with an image for use as an overlay, you can have as many colours as you want as no channels are involved.

First of all, I use a template which was basically a screenshot from CAP:

The pink square in the middle is where I design my pattern (256 x 256 pixels) - any image that overlaps the pink square will need to be cut.  I use my rulers along the top, bottom and sides to define the area.  The white area is basically my working space.

Once you have the image that you want to pattern, place this on your template and then duplicate the layer so you don't mess up the original.  For the purpose of this post, I will be using the rainbow image I created in Photoshop for the toddler sleepwear:

Take this duplicated image and place this somewhere on the pink square:

Then duplicate the original image again and use this somewhere else on your pattern:

As you can see, I turn the image so as to make it a little more interesting.

Now comes the more involved bit :-)

Duplicate the original image again and place this on the pink square but overlap it into the white area:

Using your rectangular marquee tool, cut off the excess (this is where the rulers come in handy):

Then paste the part of the image you have cut and line this up back together again:

Using your arrow cursor on the keyboard, bring that part of the image down so that it rests on the bottom of the pink square:

I tend to group these two pieces together so that I know that image has been cut.

Keep doing this by duplicating the original image and overlapping it onto the white area, (top, bottom and sides) cutting and matching up.  You will then end up with something like this:

Once you have your design, hide the original image and the background and go to image > trim. You will be left with a square of 256 x 256 pixels.  You can then go to edit > define pattern and you will have your pattern in Photoshop that you can use.  Test out the pattern by creating a large square about 3000 x 3000 pixels and create a new layer with your pattern.  Your pattern should seamlessly tile.  If it doesn't, you will have to go back to your original file and tweak.

Once your pattern tiles seamlessly and you are happy with the result, you can go ahead and make your overlay file.  I use my multiplier and/or mask file as a guide.

If you have any questions or comments, please use the comment section below and if you liked this post, please consider hitting the 'like' button below and/or click the 'tweet' button!

Cheers!

~Minicart :-)