Anatomy of a Pattern
Patterns can be found in many places in Illustrator, but they can be grouped into three categories: Fill patterns, stroke patterns, and shape patterns.
Fill Patterns
Fill patterns can be used to fill entire objects with a repeating pattern, or they can be used to fill specific areas of an object with a repeating pattern. To create a fill pattern, first select the object you want to fill with the pattern, and then click the pattern button in the Illustrator toolbar.
The Pattern Editor will open.
To create a fill pattern, first select the object you want to fill with the pattern, and then click the pattern button in the Illustrator toolbar.
In the Pattern Editor, you can select the type of pattern you want to create. There are six types of patterns in Illustrator:
Pattern Type Description
Solid Fill A solid fill pattern is a repeating pattern of solid colors.
Gradient Fill A gradient fill pattern is a repeating pattern of colors that fade from one color to the next.
Solid Color Fill A solid color fill pattern is a repeating pattern of one color.
Pattern Stamp A pattern stamp is a repeating pattern that is applied to a specific area of an object.
Path Fill A path fill is a repeating pattern that is created by drawing a path with the Pen tool.
Stroke Patterns
Stroke patterns are used to create the look of lines and curves. To create a stroke pattern, first select the object you want to pattern, and then click the stroke pattern button in the Illustrator toolbar.
To create a stroke pattern, first select the object you want to pattern, and then click the stroke pattern button in the Illustrator toolbar.
In the Pattern Editor, you can select the type of stroke pattern you want to create. There are six types of stroke patterns in Illustrator:
Type Description
Solid Stroke A solid stroke pattern is a repeating pattern of solid colors.
Gradient Stroke A gradient stroke pattern is a repeating pattern of colors that fade from one color to the next.
Solid Color Stroke A solid color stroke pattern is a repeating pattern of one color.
Path Stroke A path stroke is a repeating pattern that is created by drawing a path with the Pen tool.
Shape Patterns
Shape patterns are used to create the look of geometrical shapes. To create a shape pattern, first select the object you want to pattern, and then click the shape pattern button in the Illustrator toolbar.
To create a shape pattern, first select the object you want to pattern, and then click the shape pattern button in the Illustrator toolbar.
In the Pattern Editor, you can select the type of shape pattern you want to create. There are six types of shape patterns in Illustrator:
Rectangle A rectangle pattern is a repeating pattern of rectangles.
Solid Rectangle A solid rectangle pattern is a repeating pattern of solid colors.
Ellipse A ellipse pattern is a repeating pattern of circles.
Path Rectangle A path rectangle pattern is a repeating pattern that is created by drawing a path with the Pen tool.
Path Ellipse A path ellipse pattern is a repeating pattern that is created by drawing a path with the Pen tool.
Conclusion
Patterns can be found in many places in Illustrator, but they can be grouped into three categories: Fill patterns, stroke patterns, and shape patterns. To create a pattern, first select the object you want to fill with the pattern, and then click the pattern button in the Illustrator toolbar.
