This tutorial will teach you how to create seamless pattern tiles using KPT (Kai's Power Tools, a set of plugin filters for Photoshop). If you have KPT 3.0, you should also have KPT 2.0 as well: on the CD for KPT version 3.0, in a directory named CLASSICS.

The directions here are for Photoshop, but any paint program that works with KPT 2.0 should work for these instructions, too.

1.Select File/New, and create a new image 96 pixels by 96 pixels in RGB color. Select Filters/KPT 2/Texture Explorer. On the Texture Explorer, you'll see one large tile surrounded by 9 smaller tiles. Click on the large tile in the center, and select a Tile Size of 96x96 pixels. Now, any texture you select will automatically be a seamless pattern tile.

Explore the interface until you discover a texture you like, then select OK.

2. Chances are that the texture you selected is too intense to use as a background on a web page and have text that's legible. To fade the tile, select Image/Adjust/Levels. Drag the left Output slider to the center.

3.Select Mode/Indexed, for Photoshop 3, or Image/Mode/Indexed in Photoshop 4 and save this as a gif file.

You can create dozens of interesting seamless pattern tile backgrounds in just minutes using these instructions.

Home | Guestbook | Main Tip Page