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graphicxtras.com > tutorials > Illustrator Swatches Patterns
Updated : 2021
Go to the window menu (to find the swatches panel which is the main area to open the swatches / patterns in Adobe Illustrator)
Swatches
Goto swatches panel in Adobe Illustrator
Right side menu
Open swatch library
Select one of the list items
Or go to the user defined and browse
How to open a swatch / pattern library in Adobe Illustrator tutorial. The pattern swatches can be loaded in a number of ways via the window menu and via the swatches panel as well as via the swatch libraries panel as well as opening the pattern swatches via the file open command. The above steps are probably as good as any to open and then use the Illustrator pattern swatches
The Illustrator swatches libraries are stored in AI format and can be gradients, patterns as well as solid colors. So how to load the graphicxtras patterns into your projects
Buy the pattern swatches via our pattern swatches section
Download the pattern swatches sets (via the links sent from shareit.com)
Unzip the downloaded sets using stuffit expander or winzip etc
Select the AI files and copy
Store the AI files away on a cloud server etc for backup
Copy the AI files into the presets 'swatches' folder
Access then via the window menu
This varies from version to version but generally you can find the location for the swatches in the sub folder of the presets folder found in a sub folder of en_GB, en_US etc which can be found in the applications folder / program files depending on pc or mac. Example on the right shows the location for the mac but the location has varied a little over the years. I assume that Illustrator XXXX presets folder will be in the CC XXXX section
The swatches can also be opened via the panel (much the same as with the window menu)
Go to the window menu
Swatches
Go to the swatches panel
Right side menu
Open swatch library
Select one of the libraries
Once the library has been opened, select a path and then select a pattern swatch to fill the path
Go to an opened swatch library panel (not the document but any opened read only library)
Go to the bottom of the read only panel
Click on the little arrows at the bottom
Click on left to see previous library
Click on right arrow to go to the next library
Select one of the patterns
Another way to open them is to have at least one swatch library panel (they are read only) displayed and then use the bottom panel menu to either open the set . The swatches will only appear if they have been added to the presets folder otherwise you will have to use the other library option. Or use the arrows at the bottom of the swatches libraries panel - back and forward to load another set (though depends on the sets being available). The opened swatch libraries are read only and you can select items which are added to the main swatches panel. You cannot delete them from the read only libraries so if you wish to delete the pattern tiles then you will have to open the source file and delete them there.
The swatches libraries will appear in the menu list if they have been added to the presets 'swatches' folder but if they are not located in that folder (admin or user equivalent) you will have to use the other library option.
You can open the AI files (they are all stored in AI format) via the file open command. The only trouble with this is that the items will only then be limited to the current document. You can copy the items from this file and then add them to another document and then drag those paths into the presets panel. A bit of a workaround but it can be done.
file
open command
browse for the AI pattern swatches file
Select design
copy
Go to another document
Object menu
Pattern
Make
You can now use this pattern in your work
Personally, I find the other library option more useful as I store all my swatches in a central location and don't leave the swatches in the presets folder for different versions of Illustrator.
Go to the swatches panel
Right side menu
Open swatch library
Other library