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graphicxtras.com > tutorials > Illustrator Swatches Patterns
Updated : 2021
load image into Illustrator via file menu and place command (this is a quick way to load an image into Illustrator for use as a pattern swatch source)
re-size the design as required
click embed button
drag image into the swatches panel
All kinds of images can be used in Adobe Illustrator as a great source for images as a pattern swatch. You can manipulate the image in Adobe Illustrator and then drag to the swatches panel (found via the window menu). You can find many different pattern image sets on the graphicxtras site for use with Illustrator
You can also duplicate the image by holding alt / option and then re-work that image such as modifying the color of the image
duplicate image
select duplicated image
edit menu
edit colors
adjust color balance
preview ON
OK
drag the image to swatches panel
save as a swatch
This can be repeated numerous times, perhaps re-coloring, perhaps rotating the image and more. For better results, probably best to do the original source image work in Photoshop or Affinity Photo and then place them into Illustrator
You can fill a normal path as well as type etc with the image pattern swatch
Select a normal vector path
go to the swatches panel
select the image swatch to apply to current path
You can also then transform and modify the swatch
object menu
transform
scale
set transform objects to OFF
set transform patterns to ON
set scale
OK
If the image tiles well depends on the source material. Most of the pattern swatches and images for use as pattern swatches on this site are seamless tiles.
You can also use them as strokes and not just as fills with images / pattern swatches in Adobe Illustrator
Create a line using the line segment tool in the toolbar / box
set fill to nothing
set the stroke to image pattern swatch
set stroke weight
set a width profile
use curvature tool in toolbar to extand path