Arrow Patterns for Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Xara etc

Installing arrow patterns in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements

The patterns are all stored in PAT format - you can load the pattern file in Photoshop via the file open command (this loads the arrow designs into the palette), as well as via the preset manager, as well as loading the arrow patterns via the pattern palette. Elements - the best way to load the arrow patterns PAT files is via the file open command. Added January 2nd 2012

How to export the pattern to other software ?

You can determine the size of the arrow pattern swatches via the palette by passing the mouse pointer over the tile - a small hint / pop up will show the size of the tile.

Open a new document with the same size as the pattern and then go to the layer > fill new layer > pattern and create a design. Flatten the image and then go to the file > save command and export the design to another application - save in PSD or TIFF etc formats.

The above example shows the arrow patterns 'pattern fill' palette - the mouse is passed over one of the tiles and the hint pops up displaying the name of the pattern as well as the size of the arrow pattern (or any other pattern) and the color mode (RGB).

In the above example, create a document with the size 1600 x 1600 and then fill with the new layer (or use the fill menu command) and then flatten the pattern. Once flattened, you can also use various color adjustments to modify the color of the pattern such as changing the color from green to blue or turning the pattern into a black and white image. Export the pattern via the file > save command.

The pattern now can be used in other software. Please note that in most cases the arrow pattern sets (as well as the others) come with the tiles already in the PNG (or eps format - vector) format.

Color modes and Photoshop Pattern swatches tutorial

The pattern swatches can be used in Photoshop color mode RGB but they can also be used in LAB and CMYK modes and other color modes in Photoshop (or Photoshop Elements)

1) Image > mode > LAB

2) Layer > New fill layer > pattern

3) Select pattern from the pattern's palette dropdown

4) OK

The pattern can be further manipulated via the color channels or shifted by dragging the pattern as required

Arrow patterns in Photoshop as sources for brushes

The arrow patterns can be applied as a new layer and applied to a selection or a shape selection and then saved as a new brush (via the edit define brush command). Example below shows a single design that can be saved as an arrow brush - the arrow pattern was generated using the layer pattern command and the scaling set to fit the design within the bounds of the document.

Below, a pattern is scaled to fit more elements / texture into the brush

Once defined as a brush, the brush itself can then have the pattern used as a texture via the brush palette. Added: December 30th 2011

EPS patterns and PaintShop Pro tutorial

If the pattern set includes the designs in EPS then you can create the patterns and define them in PSP to the maximum size allowed by PSP (this varies from version to version). EPS files can be quickly converted to PNG format or JPG for use in PSP via its patterns folder.

The application should be fairly happy with eps files as well as PNG files as patterns, I must admit to prefer to set them as PNG for use. If you leave the PNG files and the EPS files in the same output folder for the patterns, you will get a non-serious duplicate warning generated when you set the location for the patterns

1) file > batch > process

2) select the EPS files

3) set the save option type to PNG etc

4) start

You might like to go to the file > preferences > file formats Postscript and set the size for the patterns before you run the pattern conversion such as the resolution (72dpi - small, 300dpi - a lot larger)

Now all the files are in PNG - the final stage

1) file > preferences > file locations

2) patterns

3) set to the same folder as the output files above - the PNG files

4) go to the view > palettes > materials

5) open a new document or use an existing one

6) set the flood fill tool

7) go to the materials palette

8) select the foreground color and set to pattern

9) select the arrow pattern required

10) set scale and angle etc

11) OK

The pattern fills the current background depending on the flood fill settings

Arrow patterns and Photoshop Elements - opening patterns tutorial

1) edit > preset manager

2) select patterns from dropdown

3) load

4) browse and select the PAT file

Now select one of the pattern tools such as the pattern stamp or new fill layer and you will see the pattern palette appear

Select one of the arrow patterns (seamless designs) and apply.

The patterns can be applied once as a new layer or multiple times - you can use the transaparency found in many of the arrow pattern sets to create more complex and unique pattern designs.

Updated: December 30th 2011