how to make patterns from NON-sprites...

[johloh]

ok, so making a pattern from a sprite is easy...or, for most people at this point it is...but making one from a graphic...not always so easy...

for example, I was requested to make a pattern from this starting image.


I use photoshop. First thing I do is to resize the image to the proper size of the work. Usually this means you take the size you want and multiply it by the aida count of the fabric you'll be using. For example...if you want a 10inch by 10 inch work on 14 count aida, you resize to 140pixels by 140 pixels.

once its resized, we gotta change the # of colors, because there is usually WAY to many...

so, I got to IMAGE->Mode->Indexed Color...

for this example (its not resized to keep it viewable) I chose 18 colors.



now we import it into your pixel program, I use PC STITCH. (kg chart is good too, and free.)

and now the fun part, because once its resized its not gonna look perfect. so you gotta zoom in, and fix one area at a time. PIXEL BY PIXEL. no way around it. Usually during the pixel by pixel part I end up removing a color or two...they'll have like a super dark blue and a black right near each other. In that case I'll make it all one color if it isnt adding to the overall pattern....



all done!

questions?

[jelibe]

Wow thats quite handy that. Thanks.

Questions: I don't have photoshop or pc stitch. How much do they cost (cheapest price) and where??

[tnitnetny]

I have actually been using PM Stitch Creator. I absolutely love it. It not only pixels the pictures for you, but you can control the colors, the number of threads, the size of the piece, etc. It also matches the DMC thread right to the pattern. It was only $50 as a download on line, or you can have them send you a disk.

It is off a few times, but it is easy to adjust some of the colors. The only thing I don't like is I can't save patterns as a pdf to show other people. I'll solve that by buying a scanner and scanning the printed pattern though. Once I do, I will show examples.

[johloh]

jelibe - photoshop is really expensive. but im sure you can do it in free programs too, like GIMP.

tnitetny - http://kenchiro.tripod.com/howtoPDF.html

you can 'print' to pdf once you install a few drivers. its not too bad to setup, should look better than scanning. but might be too much trouble.

[gillianms]

Another good Photoshop-ish application for the PC is Paint.NET, available here: http://www.getpaint.net/

[littlemojo]

you can 'print' to pdf once you install a few drivers. its not too bad to setup, should look better than scanning. but might be too much trouble.

I use Cute PDF and have done for years on 3, maybe 4 machines, without it missing a beat. All the instructions are on this page http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp

[benjibot]

you can 'print' to pdf once you install a few drivers. its not too bad to setup, should look better than scanning. but might be too much trouble.

I use Cute PDF and have done for years on 3, maybe 4 machines, without it missing a beat. All the instructions are on this page http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp

Oh, you poor, poor Windows users. We can do that on a basic system level. Any time a print dialog box pops up on OS X, I can just pick "save as PDF."

Course, the down side is I only have one choice in cross stitch application.

[Icedevimon13]

Heh somehow I missed this guide when it was first posted up xD

Great tutorial. I plan to make use of it for a request at my other forum very soon, so thank you.

[jelibe]

I descided to go with paint.net and pc stitch and so far its lookin good. Thanks everyone.

[SephreniaMusic]

Found this through Servotron's guide and it explained some things I've been wondering about?