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how to apply a color and gradient to a transparent pattern?


jist

Member
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Hi, great forum!

I am trying to use a pattern, where I can make changes to it's color, and try out gradients on it 'on the fly' to see the results.
I already have the pattern. It's a simple repeating hexagon pattern with a transparent background.

1. The pattern itself is monochrome (currently displaying as black). Can I change that color while I have it opened in my 'project', or should I modify the pattern itself first somehow?
2. How can I use and tryout gradients on this pattern layer?

t.i.a.!

 

Attachments

  • pattern.png
    pattern.png
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Eggy

Retired Moderator
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To change the color:
- press ctrl+thumbnail hexagon to select it
- choose color in colorpicker and make it the foregroundcolor
- press ALT+DEL to fill the selection with the foregroundcolor

To apply a gradient on the hexagon:
- select the hexagonlayer
- doubleclick on an empty space right of the layer name
- tick and select gradient overlay
- choose radial for example (green) and colors of the gradient (red)

Untitled-2.jpg
 

jist

Member
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Wow, that's fantastic!
There is no way I would have figured that out before Christmas myself.

Thnx Eggy!
 

IamSam

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With that particular pattern, you could also try placing the solid color layer above the pattern layer. select/highlight the color layer, right click, and then choose 'add clipping mask'.

Pattern
Screen Shot 2015-12-03 at 8.24.09 AM.png

Pattern with Red solid color clipping mask.
Screen Shot 2015-12-03 at 8.24.21 AM.png

Screen Shot 2015-12-03 at 8.24.29 AM.png

If you want to add a new color, just add a new layer on top of the existing solid color layer, fill with the color you like, clip it.
Screen Shot 2015-12-03 at 8.24.49 AM.png

Screen Shot 2015-12-03 at 8.25.03 AM.png

This also works really well with gradient layer colors as well.
(I added a grey background)
Screen Shot 2015-12-03 at 8.26.47 AM.png

Screen Shot 2015-12-03 at 8.26.53 AM.png
 

jist

Member
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Thank for that IamSam. But I gave that a quick try, and 'the red' does not show up.
It's probably because my brain is hurting after a long day working on this (hardly really understanding what I am doing), and I am not following instructions correctly anymore.
I am going to give your suggestion a new shot soon.

Thnx!


pattern2.png
 
Last edited:

jist

Member
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Ah wait, I think I got it. I needed to remove the fx that were set in the pattern layer.
Thanks guys, just some more practice and I should be able to accomplish everything that I wanted with this.
 

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