Photoshop 7: Turning image pack gradients into patterns/ Defining patterns
There've been a couple of questions regarding the problem of turning image packs into gradients, which, as most people will know, isn't possible. The fact remains ( correct me if I'm wrong, please ) that you cannot turn an image file into a gradient. The most you can do is to paste the image as a new layer and then play with the blend modes as you would with a normal layer.
If you're familiar with your PS7, you'll know the Edit > Fill > Pattern function, which allows you to quickly fill a layer with a pre-defined pattern after you selected it from the dropdown window:
You go about defining patterns the same way you define brushes: open any image you'd like to define as a pattern, then go to Edit > Define Pattern:
A window will open, showing a preview of your new pattern and an entry box which allows you to name it:
Once you've done that, your new pattern will ( should ) appear in the dropdown menu of your pattern menu. If you're the organized type, you'll want your patterns arranged in sets; if you're the type who doesn't like to clutter PS7 with patterns you don't need at the moment, you'll want sets to quickly and simply load the very patterns you need for that specific icon you're making right now.
To save a couple of patterns as a set...
1. Define patterns. If you're like me, you'll open an entire image pack and click Edit > Define pattern a million times, or you'll make an action.
2. Open the Preset Manager: Edit > Preset Manager. In the dropdown menu, you have several choices. Obviously, you'll want 'Patterns'.
3. Scroll down to the batch of patterns you just defined. By default, they should be at the very bottom of the preview window. Now click on the first one you defined, hold down SHIFT, and click on the rest. The patterns should appear highlighted:
4. On the right side of the Preset Manager, you'll want to click 'Save Set', which will save all the patterns you just highlighted to a *.pat* file.
5. Name your set. Choose a name that means something so you'll recognize it later, for example: redpatterns_set01, namehere_set01, or whatever you fancy. Tada. Done.
PS7 usually saves anything you define yourself into its subdirectories under C:\Program Files\Adobe\Presets ---> Brushes, Gradients, Patterns, etc. If you're the anal type ( again, like me... ) you might want to go in there and create subdirectories like Patterns/patterns by whoever, and put all the patterns by one resource maker into their very own folder. It makes it easier to find them later, too.
And to come to the end of this long, image-heavy and rather pointless 'tutorial'...
So what's stopping you from doing the same with gradient image packs? I'm terminally lazy; if I can save myself from having to go through a ton of folders versus clicking a few buttons, I'll naturally choose the latter. Saving a gradient as a pattern essentially gives you the same benefits as using a normal gradient does, with one notable disadvantage only: you cannot use the gradient modes
and you're stuck with the gradient 'as is' - that is, you have to rely on 'Edit > Transform > various options' to change the angle of the gradient. The blend modes, however, work just as they would if you put the gradient on as a new layer.
To define a gradient from a gradient image pack as a pattern, simply repeat steps 1 - 5. You'll just have to remember that some of the gradients you now do have are saved as 'Patterns', and not 'Gradients'. ;)
Hope that helped a little bit, and it hopefully wasn't redundant.
Outside link: here
If you're familiar with your PS7, you'll know the Edit > Fill > Pattern function, which allows you to quickly fill a layer with a pre-defined pattern after you selected it from the dropdown window:
You go about defining patterns the same way you define brushes: open any image you'd like to define as a pattern, then go to Edit > Define Pattern:
A window will open, showing a preview of your new pattern and an entry box which allows you to name it:
Once you've done that, your new pattern will ( should ) appear in the dropdown menu of your pattern menu. If you're the organized type, you'll want your patterns arranged in sets; if you're the type who doesn't like to clutter PS7 with patterns you don't need at the moment, you'll want sets to quickly and simply load the very patterns you need for that specific icon you're making right now.
To save a couple of patterns as a set...
1. Define patterns. If you're like me, you'll open an entire image pack and click Edit > Define pattern a million times, or you'll make an action.
2. Open the Preset Manager: Edit > Preset Manager. In the dropdown menu, you have several choices. Obviously, you'll want 'Patterns'.
3. Scroll down to the batch of patterns you just defined. By default, they should be at the very bottom of the preview window. Now click on the first one you defined, hold down SHIFT, and click on the rest. The patterns should appear highlighted:
4. On the right side of the Preset Manager, you'll want to click 'Save Set', which will save all the patterns you just highlighted to a *.pat* file.
5. Name your set. Choose a name that means something so you'll recognize it later, for example: redpatterns_set01, namehere_set01, or whatever you fancy. Tada. Done.
PS7 usually saves anything you define yourself into its subdirectories under C:\Program Files\Adobe\Presets ---> Brushes, Gradients, Patterns, etc. If you're the anal type ( again, like me... ) you might want to go in there and create subdirectories like Patterns/patterns by whoever, and put all the patterns by one resource maker into their very own folder. It makes it easier to find them later, too.
And to come to the end of this long, image-heavy and rather pointless 'tutorial'...
So what's stopping you from doing the same with gradient image packs? I'm terminally lazy; if I can save myself from having to go through a ton of folders versus clicking a few buttons, I'll naturally choose the latter. Saving a gradient as a pattern essentially gives you the same benefits as using a normal gradient does, with one notable disadvantage only: you cannot use the gradient modes
and you're stuck with the gradient 'as is' - that is, you have to rely on 'Edit > Transform > various options' to change the angle of the gradient. The blend modes, however, work just as they would if you put the gradient on as a new layer.
To define a gradient from a gradient image pack as a pattern, simply repeat steps 1 - 5. You'll just have to remember that some of the gradients you now do have are saved as 'Patterns', and not 'Gradients'. ;)
Hope that helped a little bit, and it hopefully wasn't redundant.
Outside link: here