Stripes

[Frobergs2]

Other than using the rectangular marquee tool 100 times, what is the easiest way to make a ton of small stripes, all of equal distance apart? I was hoping I oculd find a custom shape to download that would provide it to me, but I haven't as of yet...I found a diagnol CS, but not straight.

Any suggestions?

[graficalicus]

make a pattern -

create a new file, I'll just use a "for instance" here -

I want to create horizontal scanlines across my image. I want the scanlines to be 2 pixels wide & two pixels apart.

I create a new file, make it 1 pixel wide x 4 pixels tall. Zoom W-A-Y in (<Ctrl>+<+>) and use the pencil tool set at 1 pixel to color in the top two squares of the 4-pixel-tall image. So the top two pixels are black, the bottom two pixels are white.

I want to save this as a pattern, so I click Edit>Define Pattern and give it a name when the dialog pops open (I'm not too creative, so I give my patterns a simple name like "2x2 scanline" :cool: so I can find it later and know what it is)

Now create a new layer in your document, and click Edit>Fill Layer, choose Pattern, and use the drop box to find the pattern you just created (it'll be the last one in the stack)

Now adjust opacity, blend, etc., and you're all set.

[GaryK]

Here is something to try and it will take a bit of playing.

I got this from a video on the studio exchange.

Set your fg colour to whatever you want the stripe to be.
bg is white but could be an alternating colour.

Drag a fg/bg linear gradiant across the page for sideways stripes.

Go to filter>distort>wave

Set the top slider to 100 or more (gets rid of the gradiant look)
Set the next two to the same number as each other (lower more lines)

On my quick test the other sliders didnt seem to have much of an effect that could just be this one try though.

Aslo make sure type is set to square.

Hope this helps:)

[GaryK]

Grafi's is repeatable once you have saved the pattern. :)

[lindajay]

Gary, that works cool! I had to push the top slider up much farther than 100, though. Way up to 650 or more seemed to make the straightest lines for me.

[lindajay]

Ahhhh . . . if you set the type as "square" as Gary said :o :o :o you don't have to push that top slider up so high. It does work well!

[GaryK]

Linda that was from the video that I can't seem to get converted for you. :o

I'm not taking any credit for that tip. (as much as I would like to) :)
If anybody else is trying this, and liking it there is a posted link in the Scrapbooking forum under "Patterns??". Takes you to the Studio exchange and a video in WMV format to download and watch.

[Frobergs2]

Man do I love this stuff!

Okay, the first method I got to work great, thanks, that was awesome! I have some tweaking to do, figuring out the pixels to use and all... But I think I can master that one...

Gary, your method gave me some trouble so far, I'm doing something stupid, I know. I haven't even begun teaching myself gradients yet. It's time...I feel pretty good about everything else so far.

I applied a linear gradient (as an adjustment layer, correct?), I see no stripes yet, just the colored gradient. I did the distort>wave, it's set to square, I chose 200 generators...but nothing changes. I must have screwe dup the gradient step.

ETA: Figured it out...gradient tool, not a layer, my bad! Love this stufff...so fun

[GaryK]

No stupid mistakes... just a misunderstanding. :)

No adjustment layer, just try it on a new blank document. Say 5x5, 300 ppi.

[GaryK]

Linda

For fun .. copy the layer with stripes and run the filter again (ctrl/cmd-f).This should change the direction. Now play with the blending modes.

Endless possibilities. :)

[GaryK]

Got it whiile I was replying.. thats great.

Grafi's way is more controlable you can make your line width and colour all set up and fit perfect if that is what you need.

[Frobergs2]

Thanks for the help, too much fun!

I was going to ask if there was a way to make the lines closer together with the 2nd method, but you're saying that grafi's method would be better for that. I'll go back and play with that one some more...

Nice little intro to gradients though, I've never used them...cool stuff!

[GaryK]

This is a new technique for me even though I watched the video last year. :rolleyes:

it seems the lower the "wavelength" the more the lines hence smaller spaces between them.
To me this seems more of a try and see thing.. probably once you have used it for a while you would have a pretty good idea of what settings would give what results.
Glad you are having fun:)

[kayser]

Isn't there a tutorial in the scrapbooking section on making patterns- checks and lines? They are two of the ones Wendy did. Sounds like you all figured it out, but just thought I would mention it.

[Frobergs2]

Just went over and found the link on Patterns, thanks! ;)

[lindajay]

Gary - oh, yes! It's working and it's so fun! Thank you for sharing this for those of us who can't view the video. I'm a happy camper :D

[Wendy]

Hi ...

Yes Kay is right I did a mini tut on making stripes ... so if you want to see it with images then you will find the link in here.

Wendy's Scrapbooking Mini Tutorials (http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/showthread.php?p=88048)

or just go to the Subscriber area and look in the Scrapbooking section ... :)

Wendy

[NRiceDesigns]

Gary, love the wave filter. I'd been playing with it to make stripes but could never remember the settings I'd used until I saw the video link you gave a few weeks ago.

[graficalicus]

for just some bands of color, use the rainbow gradient on its own layer (hold <Shift> while dragging it out to make sure it's perfectly vertical) and ensure that the gradient has the same ending color as starting color (won't get into that here, but I'll elaborate if deisred)

With the gradient layer selected, run a posterize filter and adjust it to get the desired number of color bands - then save as a pattern as outlined above - - :cool: