¿Por qué no funciona la repetición cuando imprimo mi diseño?
If your design has a repeat drop in it, and you are printing meterage from the Design Window you do need to be mindful when sending it to print. If you print through the AVA Digital Print Rip, setting the repeats up for printing is easy.
It is important to send a repeating unit to the printer, because this unit is then printed as a block repeat.
Printing designs with a ½ drop from the Design Window
- Go to View Menu > Repeat, or use the keyboard shortcut ⌘B to open the Repeat Window.
- Put your design into a 2 across and 1 down repeat, and select ½ as the Drop type
- Go to File Menu > Printer Type and make sure the relevant printer driver is selected.
- Go to File Menu > Page Setup. A window similar to the one below will open.
- Press Set From Document. This sets the Tile width and height. This is essentially the dimensions of your document.
- In the Page Width and Height boxes, enter the width of the media you are printing onto, and the required length. For example, 5000mm, and press OK.
- Go to File Menu > Print, and follow your usual printing workflow to print the document.
Printing designs with a ⅓ drop from the Design Window
- Go to View Menu > Repeat, or use the keyboard shortcut ⌘B to open the Repeat Window.
- Put your design into a 3 across and 1 down repeat, and select ⅓ as the Drop type
- Go to File Menu > Printer Type and make sure the relevant printer driver is selected.
- Go to File Menu > Page Setup. A window similar to the one below will open.
- Press Set From Document. This sets the Tile width and height. This is essentially the dimensions of your document.
- In the Page Width and Height boxes, enter the width of the media you are printing onto, and the required length. For example, 5000mm, and press OK.
- Go to File Menu > Print, and follow your usual printing workflow to print the document.
Printing designs with a ¼ drop from the Design Window
- Go to View Menu > Repeat, or use the keyboard shortcut ⌘B to open the Repeat Window.
- Put your design into a 4 across and 1 down repeat, and select ¼ as the Drop type
- Go to File Menu > Printer Type and make sure the relevant printer driver is selected.
- Go to File Menu > Page Setup. A window similar to the one below will open.
- Press Set From Document. This sets the Tile width and height. This is essentially the dimensions of your document.
- In the Page Width and Height boxes, enter the width of the media you are printing onto, and the required length. For example, 5000mm, and press OK.
- Go to File Menu > Print, and follow your usual printing workflow to print the document.
¿Cómo puedo repetir mi obra de arte escaneada?
This method of repeating files makes it simple and efficient to put jigsaw repeating patterns into a square repeat. It can be used with almost any type of design, whether there is a hint of a repeat in the original document not.
Surfaces
- Open a document to be put into repeat and drag a crop box over a single repeat of the design. Try to be as accurate as possible.
Tip: If you know the actual repeat size double click the Crop Tool and enter the measurements directly and then simply drag the crop box to the optimum position (where it cuts through the least number of important motifs as possible).
- Hold down ^ (control key) and click inside the crop box and select Crop To New Document from the contextual menu which appears.
- The cropped area will open into a new document. Put this document into repeat using the Set Repeat Popover. We recommend using a 2 x 2 repeat whilst editing repeat joins. Remember to apply a repeat drop if needed, and tick Frame First Repeat. This will help you to identify the repeat join. It can be turned off at any time if the frame interferes with your editing.
- Select the Carbon Copy Tool from the Tools Palette and change the Source popup menu in the settings pane to Crop Box.
- Click into the original design, hold down the ⌥ (option key) and click once somewhere on the design to define the source of the carbon copy. It doesn’t matter where you click as long as it is within the original design.
- Click back in the new document and fix any areas within the design that do not join correctly on the repeat edges.
Tip: To aid the fixing process, view your new and original files side by side on the screen so you can see the cursor position on both. The source location (shown with the cross cursor on the original document) will be mapped to your new document using the crop box area as its initial guide. This allows you to copy from the area outside the source crop box and enables you to fix the design more effectively.
- Press the arrow keys on the keyboard when using the Carbon Copy Tool in this mode to make the source cross move within the design by the exact amount of one repeat. When working on the top to bottom repeat join for example, press the up or down arrow keys once and the source cross will offset by the vertical repeat distance so that you can copy from the other edge of the original design.
The left and right arrow keys can be used in the same way to fix the sides. The software will automatically calculate any drop which is set. If you get lost when navigating with the arrows, simply press the esc key on the keyboard to reset the source point to its original position.
- Continue working in this way with the Carbon Copy Tool, moving the source point from one repeat edge to another using the arrow keys to choose the best information from the original document. For example, you may find that a particular motif is better painted on one side of the repeat than on the other. Using Carbon Copy from Cropbox you are able to pick and choose which motif looks and works best in the new design.
- Once you are happy with the whole repeat, discard the original file and save the new one.
Textiles
1. Open a document to be put in to repeat and drag a crop box over a single repeat of the design. Try to be as accurate as possible.
Tip: If you know the actual repeat size double click the Crop Tool and enter the measurements directly and then simply drag the crop box to the optimum position (where it cuts through the least number of important motifs as possible).
- Hold down ^ (control key) and click inside the crop box and select Crop To New Document from the contextual menu which appears.
- The cropped area will open into a new document. Put this document into repeat using the Set Repeat Popover. We recommend using a 2 x 2 repeat whilst editing repeat joins. Remember to apply a repeat drop if needed, and tick Frame First Repeat. This will help you to identify the repeat join. It can be turned off at any time if the frame interferes with your editing.
- Select the Carbon Copy Tool from the Tools Palette and change the Source popup menu in the settings pane to Crop Box.
- Click into the original design, hold down the ⌥ (option key) and click once somewhere on the design to define the source of the carbon copy. It doesn’t matter where you click as long as it is within the original design.
- Click back in the new document and fix any areas within the design that do not join correctly on the repeat edges.
Tip: To aid the fixing process, view your new and original files side by side on the screen so you can see the cursor position on both. The source location (shown with the cross cursor on the original document) will be mapped to your new document using the crop box area as its initial guide. This allows you to copy from the area outside the source crop box and enables you to fix the design more effectively.
- Press the arrow keys on the keyboard when using the Carbon Copy Tool in this mode to make the source cross move within the design by the exact amount of one repeat. When working on the top to bottom repeat join for example, press the up or down arrow keys once and the source cross will offset by the vertical repeat distance so that you can copy from the other edge of the original design.
The left and right arrow keys can be used in the same way to fix the sides. The software will automatically calculate any drop which is set. If you get lost when navigating with the arrows, simply press the esc key on the keyboard to reset the source point to its original position.
- Continue working in this way with the Carbon Copy Tool, moving the source point from one repeat edge to another using the arrow keys to choose the best information from the original document. For example, you may find that a particular motif is better painted on one side of the repeat than on the other. Using Carbon Copy from Cropbox you are able to pick and choose which motif looks and works best in the new design.
- Once you are happy with the whole repeat, discard the original file and save the new one.
The Movie
Wallcoverings
- Open a document to be put in to repeat and drag a crop box over a single repeat of the design. Try to be as accurate as possible.
Tip: If you know the actual repeat size double click the Crop Tool and enter the measurements directly and then simply drag the crop box to the optimum position (where it cuts through the least number of important motifs as possible).
- Hold down ^ (control key) and click inside the crop box and select Crop To New Document from the contextual menu which appears.
- The cropped area will open into a new document. Put this document into repeat using the Set Repeat Popover.. We recommend using a 2 x 2 repeat whilst editing repeat joins. Remember to apply a repeat drop if needed, and tick Frame First Repeat. This will help you to identify the repeat join. It can be turned off at any time if the frame interferes with your editing.
- Select the Carbon Copy Tool from the Tools Palette and change the Source popup menu in the settings pane to Crop Box.
- Click into the original design, hold down the ⌥ (option key) and click once somewhere on the design to define the source of the carbon copy. It doesn’t matter where you click as long as it is within the original design.
- Click back in the new document and fix any areas within the design that do not join correctly on the repeat edges.
Tip: To aid the fixing process, view your new and original files side by side on the screen so you can see the cursor position on both. The source location (shown with the cross cursor on the original document) will be mapped to your new document using the crop box area as its initial guide. This allows you to copy from the area outside the source crop box and enables you to fix the design more effectively.
- Press the arrow keys on the keyboard when using the Carbon Copy Tool in this mode to make the source cross move within the design by the exact amount of one repeat. When working on the top to bottom repeat join for example, press the up or down arrow keys once and the source cross will offset by the vertical repeat distance so that you can copy from the other edge of the original design.
The left and right arrow keys can be used in the same way to fix the sides. The software will automatically calculate any drop which is set. If you get lost when navigating with the arrows, simply press the esc key on the keyboard to reset the source point to its original position.
- Continue working in this way with the Carbon Copy Tool, moving the source point from one repeat edge to another using the arrow keys to choose the best information from the original document. For example, you may find that a particular motif is better painted on one side of the repeat than on the other. Using Carbon Copy from Cropbox you are able to pick and choose which motif looks and works best in the new design.
- Once you are happy with the whole repeat, discard the original file and save the new one.
The Movie
¿Cuál es la forma más sencilla de ajustar el espacio entre motivos en mi repetición?
This is a key feature within the AVA repeating software as it enables fast and precise pattern repeating by sliding motifs together in realtime, ensuring smooth joins and correct repeat sizes.
Conveniently integrated into the Design Window, its user friendly interface and automatic calculation of repeat drops make the Wrap Around Repeat method an integral part of many workflows.
Below you will find all information on how to to use this great feature.
Surfaces
Using Wrap Around Repeat
If you are repeating a single motif or design on a white background with space around the edges (see example design below), the Wrap Around method can be applied without any further editing of the file.
Create smooth and fast repeats by using following the steps:
- Make sure there is no information in the background of your design and go to Window Menu > Wrap Around Repeat. A popup window will appear.
- Switch Wrap Around Repeat on. A blue frame will be displayed within the Design Window.
- Set the desired drop and repeat number.
- Drag the arrows located on the blue horizontal and vertical panel until the desired layout has been achieved.
- If there is an overlap, this can be adjusted from the bottom of the window.
- When happy, click Trim Repeat. This will automatically cut out a smaller repeating tile.
- Go to View > Repeat and set the corresponding drop and repeat amount.
Trimming edges (RGB)
Trimming edges of high coverage designs (for RGB Images only)
In order to repeat designs with higher coverage (see example design below) using the Wrap Around method, it is necessary to first trim the edges of the file. This creates the white space needed to slide the motifs together. To prevent initial damage to the original image, a Mask Layer is used to determine the correct cut. After this, the relevant parts of the original design can be trimmed away and repeated.
Note: This method is intended for RGB images only. Designs containing layers or CMYK images need to be prepared using the Parallel Trimming Method.
Furthermore, there must be slightly more than one repeat in the file in order to use this method of Wrap Around. Whilst the document does not need to repeat exactly, a sufficient overlap is required to be able to trim and later slide the file together.
- Open the chosen file and go to Window Menu > Wrap Around Repeat.
- Click Wrap Around Repeat to activate repeat mode. Blue horizontal and vertical rulers will appear within the design window.
- Set at least two repeats across and down. If there is a drop, enter this as well.
- Turn off Wrap Around to return to the design window and add a Mask Layer by going to Layer Menu > New Mask.
- Click on the disclosure triangle to reveal the newly added Mask Layer and activate it. It will appear below the RGB channels of your image.
- Hold down ⇧ (shift key) on the keyboard and drag the Mask Layer into the main layer list. It will appear as an 8 Bit Layer.
- Activate only the Mask Layer, leaving it invisible. The image layer should be visible but not active.
- Make sure the foreground colour of your Tools Palette is white and begin to paint away the unnecessary areas of the image using your Filled Freedrawn Shape Tool. Begin by removing the information from the top left corner of the design as the information in this corner should always be cut out.
Note: While it looks like parts of the design are being deleted, it is in fact only an edit to the Mask Layer, meaning your image stays intact.
- Continue to check if you are cutting away the correct parts by intermittently returning to the Wrap Around Repeat Window. Continue trimming the design.
Tip: If you have taken away too much, just switch the foreground colour to black and paint the missing information back onto the mask with your Filled Freedrawn Shape Tool. Change between black and white as needed to delete or add to the Mask Layer.
- Adjust the repeat handlers in your Wrap Around Window and begin to slide the new edges together. They will start to fit like a jigsaw puzzle. Click on the relevant drop to ensure it resets.
- When the top to bottom edge is complete, follow the above steps for the side to side repeat.
- When you are happy with your trimmed mask, select the background (white area) in the Design Window, activate the original image layer and delete the information by pressing ⌫ (backspace key) on the keyboard.
- Remove both Mask Layers. In other words, first remove the 8 Bit Mask Layer, then drop down the disclosure triangle of your image and delete the second integrated mask.
- Finally, return to your Wrap Around Window and click Trim Design.
Trimming edges (Layers/CMYK)
Parallel Trimming Method (for CMYK Images & Layers)
Spot Layers or CMYK Images cannot be adjusted using a mask and therefore require a slightly different approach to trimming the edges in preparation for using the Wrap Around Repeat method. For this, we create parallel jigsaw shaped edges directly on the design, repeating both horizontally and vertically, which can later be slid together.
- Activate the image or layer in question.
- Using the Lasso Tool, trim away unwanted information along the top of the design.
- Remove the selected area by pressing ⌫ (backspace key) on the keyboard. Do not deselect.
- Deactivate the image or layer by holding down ⇧ (shift key) on the keyboard and clicking on the pencil in the Layers Palette.
- Go to Edit Menu > Flip horizontal. Drag the selection to the bottom of the design holding down ⇧ (shift key) to keep it aligned.
- Reactivate the image by clicking on the pencil and press ⌫ (backspace key) on the keyboard to delete the information, creating a trim along the bottom. The cut line should be parallel to the top edge.
- Deselect the area and repeat above steps for the side to side edges.
- Go to Window Menu > Wrap Around Repeat, turn it on and set the drop and repeat amount (at least 2 x 2.
- Use the arrows on the blue rulers to slide the motifs together like a jigsaw. Finally, click Trim Design when happy.
- Go to View Menu > Repeat to tile out the design and check the joins.
Tip: Use the Carbon Copy Tool to correct any minor issues.
Textiles
Using Wrap Around Repeat
If you are repeating a single motif or design on a white background with space around the edges (see example design below), the Wrap Around method can be applied without any further editing of the file.
Create smooth and fast repeats by using following the steps:
- Make sure there is no information in the background of your design and go to Window Menu > Wrap Around Repeat. A popup window will appear.
- Switch Wrap Around Repeat on. A blue frame will be displayed within the Design Window.
- Set the desired drop and repeat number.
- Drag the arrows located on the blue horizontal and vertical panel until the desired layout has been achieved.
- If there is an overlap, this can be adjusted from the bottom of the window.
- When happy, click Trim Repeat. This will automatically cut out a smaller repeating tile.
- Go to View Menu > Repeat and set the corresponding drop and repeat amount.
Trimming edges (RGB)
Trimming edges of high coverage designs (for RGB Images only)
In order to repeat designs with higher coverage (see example design below) using the Wrap Around method, it is necessary to first trim the edges of the file. This creates the white space needed to slide the motifs together. To prevent initial damage to the original image, a Mask Layer is used to determine the correct cut. After this, the relevant parts of the original design can be trimmed away and repeated.
Note: This method is intended for RGB images only. Designs containing layers or CMYK images need to be prepared using the Parallel Trimming Method. Instructions for this can be found in the next tab.
Furthermore, there must be slightly more than one repeat in the file in order to use this method of Wrap Around. Whilst the document does not need to repeat exactly, a sufficient overlap is required to be able to trim and later slide the file together.
- Open the chosen file and go to Window Menu > Wrap around Repeat.
- Click Wrap Around Repeat to activate repeat mode. Blue horizontal and vertical rulers will appear within the design window.
- Set at least two repeats across and down. If there is a drop, enter this as well.
- Turn off Wrap Around to return to the design window and add a Mask Layer by going to Layer > New Mask.
- Click on the disclosure triangle to reveal the newly added Mask Layer and activate it. It will appear below the RGB channels of your image.
- Hold down the Shift Key and drag the Mask Layer into the main layer list. It will appear as an 8 Bit Layer.
- Activate only the Mask Layer, leaving it invisible. The image layer should be visible but not active.
- Make sure the foreground colour of your Tools Palette is white and begin to paint away the unnecessary areas of the image using your Filled Freedrawn Shape Tool. Begin by removing the information from the top left corner of the design as the information in this corner should always be cut out.
Note: While it looks like parts of the design are being deleted, it is in fact only an edit to the Mask Layer, meaning your image stays intact.
- Continue to check if you are cutting away the correct parts by intermittently returning to the Wrap Around Repeat Window. Continue trimming the design.
Tip: If you have taken away too much, swap the foreground colour to black and paint the missing information back onto the mask with your Filled Freedrawn Shape Tool. Change between black and white as needed to delete or add to the Mask Layer.
- Adjust the repeat handlers in your Wrap Around Window and begin to slide the new edges together. They will start to fit like a jigsaw puzzle. Click on the relevant drop to ensure it resets.
- When the top to bottom edge is complete, follow the above steps for the side to side repeat.
- When you are happy with your trimmed mask, select the background (white area) in the Design Window, activate the original image layer and delete the information by pressing ⌫ (backspace key) on the keyboard.
- Remove both Mask Layers. In other words, first remove the 8 Bit Mask Layer, then drop down the disclosure triangle of your image and delete the second integrated mask.
- Finally, return to your Wrap Around Window and click Trim Design.
Trimming edges (Layers/CMYK)
Parallel Trimming Method (for CMYK Images & Layers)
Spot Layers or CMYK Images cannot be adjusted using a mask and therefore require a slightly different approach to trimming the edges in preparation for using the Wrap Around Repeat method. For this, we create parallel jigsaw shaped edges directly on the design, repeating both horizontally and vertically, which can later be slid together.
- Activate the image or layer in question.
- Using the Lasso Tool, trim away unwanted information along the top of the design.
- Remove the selected area by pressing ⌫ (backspace key) on the keyboard. Do not deselect.
- Deactivate the image or layer by holding down ⇧ (shift key) on the keyboard and clicking on the pencil in the Layers Palette.
- Go to Edit Menu > Flip horizontal. Drag the selection to the bottom of the design holding down ⇧ (shift key) to keep it aligned.
- Reactivate the image by clicking on the pencil and press ⌫ (backspace key) on the keyboard to delete the information, creating a trim along the bottom. The cut line should be parallel to the top edge.
- Deselect the area and repeat above steps for the side to side edges.
- Go to Window Menu > Wrap Around Repeat, turn it on and set the drop and repeat amount (at least 2 x 2.
- Use the arrows on the blue rulers to slide the motifs together like a jigsaw. Finally, click Trim Design when happy.
- Go to View Menu > Repeat to tile out the design and check the joins.
Tip: Use the Carbon Copy Tool to correct any minor issues.
Wallcoverings
Using Wrap Around Repeat
If you are repeating a single motif or design on a white background with space around the edges (see example design below), the Wrap Around method can be applied without any further editing of the file.
Create smooth and fast repeats by using following the steps:
- Make sure there is no information in the background of your design and go to Window Menu > Wrap Around Repeat. A popup window will appear.
- Switch Wrap Around Repeat on. A blue frame will be displayed within the design window.
- Set the desired drop and repeat number.
- Drag the arrows located on the blue horizontal and vertical panel until the desired layout has been achieved.
- If there is an overlap, this can be adjusted from the bottom of the window.
- When happy, click Trim Repeat. This will automatically cut out a smaller repeating tile.
- Go to View Menu > Repeat and set the corresponding drop and repeat amount.
Trimming edges (RGB)
Trimming edges of high coverage designs (for RGB Images only)
In order to repeat designs with higher coverage (see example design below) using the Wrap Around method, it is necessary to first trim the edges of the file. This creates the white space needed to slide the motifs together. To prevent initial damage to the original image, a Mask Layer is used to determine the correct cut. After this, the relevant parts of the original design can be trimmed away and repeated.
Note: This method is intended for RGB images only. Designs containing layers or CMYK images need to be prepared using the Parallel Trimming Method. Instructions for this can be found in the next tab.
Furthermore, there must be slightly more than one repeat in the file in order to use this method of Wrap Around. Whilst the document does not need to repeat exactly, a sufficient overlap is required to be able to trim and later slide the file together.
- Open the chosen file and go to Window Menu > Wrap Around Repeat.
- Click Wrap Around Repeat to activate repeat mode. Blue horizontal and vertical rulers will appear within the Design Window.
- Set at least two repeats across and down. If there is a drop, enter this as well.
- Turn off Wrap Around to return to the Design Window and add a Mask Layer by going to Layer Menu > New Mask.
- Click on the disclosure triangle to reveal the newly added Mask Layer and activate it. It will appear below the RGB channels of your image.
- Hold down ⇧ (shift key) on the keyboard and drag the Mask Layer into the main layer list. It will appear as an 8 Bit Layer.
- Activate only the Mask Layer, leaving it invisible. The image layer should be visible but not active.
- Make sure the foreground colour of your Tools Palette is white and begin to paint away the unnecessary areas of the image using your Filled Freedrawn Shape Tool. Begin by removing the information from the top left corner of the design as the information in this corner should always be cut out.
Note: While it looks like parts of the design are being deleted, it is in fact only an edit to the Mask Layer, meaning your image stays intact.
- Continue to check if you are cutting away the correct parts by intermittently returning to the Wrap Around Repeat Window. Continue trimming the design.
Tip: If you have taken away too much, swap the foreground colour to black and paint the missing information back onto the mask with your Filled Freedrawn Shape Tool. Change between black and white as needed to delete or add to the Mask Layer.
- Adjust the repeat handlers in your Wrap Around Window and begin to slide the new edges together. They will start to fit like a jigsaw puzzle. Click on the relevant drop to ensure it resets.
- When the top to bottom edge is complete, follow the above steps for the side to side repeat.
- When you are happy with your trimmed mask, select the background (white area) in the Design Window, activate the original image layer and delete the information by pressing ⌫ (backspace key) on the keyboard.
- Remove both Mask Layers. In other words, first remove the 8 Bit Mask Layer, then drop down the disclosure triangle of your image and delete the second integrated mask.
- Finally, return to your Wrap Around Window and click Trim Design.
Trimming edges (Layers/CMYK)
Parallel Trimming Method (for CMYK Images & Layers)
Spot Layers or CMYK Images cannot be adjusted using a mask and therefore require a slightly different approach to trimming the edges in preparation for using the Wrap Around Repeat method. For this, we create parallel jigsaw shaped edges directly on the design, repeating both horizontally and vertically, which can later be slid together.
- Activate the image or layer in question.
- Using the Lasso Tool, trim away unwanted information along the top of the design.
- Remove the selected area by pressing ⌫ (backspace key) on the keyboard. Do not deselect.
- Deactivate the image or layer by holding down ⇧ (shift key) on the keyboard and clicking on the pencil in the Layers Palette.
- Go to Edit Menu > Flip horizontal. Drag the selection to the bottom of the design holding down ⇧ (shift key) to keep it aligned.
- Reactivate the image by clicking on the pencil and press ⌫ (backspace key) on the keyboard to delete the information, creating a trim along the bottom. The cut line should be parallel to the top edge.
- Deselect the area and repeat above steps for the side to side edges.
- Go to Window Menu > Wrap Around Repeat, turn it on and set the drop and repeat amount (at least 2 x 2.
- Use the arrows on the blue rulers to slide the motifs together like a jigsaw. Finally, click Trim Design when happy.
- Go to View Menu > Repeat to tile out the design and check the joins.
Tip: Use the Carbon Copy Tool to correct any minor issues.
The Step & Repeat Browser is a floating window, meaning the window stays open whilst you work out your repeats and you are able to see the changes made in this window applied to your design in real time. It is also ideal for working on complicated repeats as the Step & Repeat Browser does some of the maths for you.
Before using the browser, make a snapped selection of the motif you wish to repeat throughout your design. Good practice is to move the motif into the top left of the design using the Edit Menu > Select > Move function. This can be done quickly using the keyboard shortcut ⌥ ⌘ , (comma).
Then, open the Step and Repeat Browser from the Edit Menu.
Spacing
This is the distance you wish to be applied between the centres of the motifs once repeated. When you first open the Step & Repeat Browser, the values in these fields will represent the actual height and width of your selected motif, and when used for the final repeat, will produce an edge-to-edge repeat between your motifs.
To apply a space, simply increase this value by the amount you wish the space to be. For example, looking at the previous snapshot, if we wish to add a 0.5 cm space between the motifs, we would increase the height value to 3.1, and the down value to 3.4.
DeleteFitting options
Rather than specify the spacing between the motifs, you may wish to simply specify how many times you want your motif to repeat throughout either your document, or within a selected area.
- Set From Selection - sets the spacing values to that of the currently selected motif
- Fit to document - allows the user the specify how many times they would like their selected motif to repeat throughout the document. When selected, this option opens another window, allowing you to enter your desired number of repeats:The Step & Repeat Browser then works out the spacing for you in, and repeats your motif accurately throughout your design.
- Fit to Selection - allows the user to repeat a copied motif accurately throughout a selected area, and requires a specific workflow:
How to use Fit to Selection
- Make a snapped selection of your motif (use one of the selections tools such as the Lasso Tool to draw around the motif, then select Edit Menu > Select > Snap).
- Then select Edit Menu > Copy, or use the keyboard shortcut ⌘ C.
- Then select Edit Menu > Cut, or use the keyboard shortcut ⌘ X. This removes the motif and selection from your file.
- Using a selection tool of your choice, select the area you want to repeat the motif into.
- Open the Step & Repeat Browser from the Edit Menu.
- From the Fitting Options action menu, select Fit to Selection, and enter the number of repeats you want and click OK.
- Now, go the Edit Menu > Paste Into. This places the copied motif into the top left hand corner of that selection, and the original selection is hidden from view.
- In the Step & Repeat Browser, click the relevant Mirror button (explained in more detail at later in this section.) For a straight repeat, click the button furthest left:
- Your motif will be repeated throughout your selection:
Delete
Repeat drop
Used to set the required drop in your repeat. The action menu to the right of the drop values contains preset ¼, ⅓ and ½ drops. Alternatively, you could enter your own manually into the Drop dialogue boxes.
Repeat quantities
Used to set the number of repeats you want to go across the page. There are two columns, From and To.
- From - used to specify how many repeats you would like to go to the left, and ‘up’ from the currently placed motif. It assumes the top left hand corner of the selected motif is the 0,0 origin, and therefore any movement to the left and up would be negative numbers on the ruler. Because of this, these fields only accept negative numbers.
Note: If you are applying a drop to the repeated motifs such as a ½ drop, you need to enter -1 into the Down / From dialog box. This repeats the motif up once, and fills in the gap which would otherwise have been caused by the ½ drop:
Without the -1 in the Down / From dialog box:
With the -1 in the Down / From dialog box:
If you are using an Across drop, you would need to enter -1 into the Across / From dialog box.
- To - used to specify how many repeats you would like to go to the right, and ‘down’ from the currently placed motif.
Calculations
The Step & Repeat Browser will calculate approximate repeat sizes for you, which may aid the use of the Fitting Options described in the previous tab.
- Calculate number in document - automatically calculates approximate repeat quantities within the document size, based on the current Spacing values
- Calculate number in selection - automatically calculates approximate repeat quantities within a selected area, based on the current Spacing valuesBoth options will insert the approximate calculations into the Repeat: Across and Down fields. These values can then be considered when deciding on the Fitting Options described above.
- Scale to Fit - automatically rescales your selected motif to create a butt-fit repeat with its neighbouring motifs
Mirrors
The icons here let you create symmetrical designs such as scarves and napkins quickly and easily. Designs can be mirrored down the centre, horizontally or vertically, using the appropriate buttons in the Repeat Window.
Creating a block repeat
The first button is on as default and produces a block repeat. Essentially the mirrors are switched off when this option is selected:
Creating a vertical repeat
The second button produces a vertical repeat:
Creating a horizontal repeat
The third button produces a vertical repeat:
Creating vertical and horizontal repeats
The fourth button repeats your design both horizontally and vertically: