Dan Fergus Design > Student Resources > Syllabus > Seamless Textures

PHO•211 Photographic Imaging 2

Exercise: Seamless textures

Use Photoshop to create a set of six original seamless textures. Use the techniques discussed in class and referenced below. Of the ten, 3-4 must be textures you create from scratch (not based on a photo). The other 2-3 must be taken from a photographic source.

Procedure for photo-based texture.

1. Find an interesting photograph and take a picture of it. Here's a sample. And another sample .
2. Open the image in Photoshop. For best results, reduce the image size to around 300 to 400 pixels in both directions (it need not be perfectly square).
3. Choose Filter > Other > Offset. Set the horizontal & vertical sliders to half of the images dimensions (so if it's 400 pixels wide, the horizontal offset should be 200 pixels).
4. Use one of more of the methods discussed in class to eliminate the seams :
• Select a narrow vertical section with the marquee tool set to a 5-10 pixel feather; copy and paste it to a new layer; place it over the seam; flatten the image; repeat with horizontal.
• Use the healing brush to remove the seams.
• use the clone stamp tool to remove the seams.
5. Increase the contrast of the image (with Levels).
6. Option: Choose Filter > Other > High Pass to even-out the values. This may not be necessary, depending on the image.
7. Choose Edit > Define Pattern. Give it a name.
8. Save the file as yourName_pattern1.psd. Set it aside and make your next pattern.

Procedure for a hand-made texture (you must have at least 2).

1. Open a new document, 600 pixels square, RGB.
2. Choose a paint brush and paint a textured area in the middle of the square (don't go all the way to the edge). Hint: use a textured brush and a low flow.
3. Choose Filter > Other > Offset. Set the horizontal & vertical sliders to 300 px each. This should make a 'cross' shape. Paint the cross except the very edges where it touches the outside of the picture frame.
4. Choose Filter > Other > Offset. Set the horizontal & vertical sliders to 150 px each. Two small unpainted areas should remain. Paint these.
5. Shrink the image to 300 pixels square.
6. Choose Edit > Define Pattern. Give it a name.
7. Save the file as yourName_pattern(whatever number your up to).psd. Set it aside and make your next pattern.

When you're finished with all six, put them in a folder with your name on it, and upload them to the portal (or give them to me via jump drive).

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