Today’s lesson is #4 in a series about how to add your own raster images to use as patterns to fill any shape. This method is actually a combination of 2 other methods we’ve already learned. You’re going to use file import to add the image to your library, but then you’ll do something a bit different with it than we learned previously. With this method, you’ll have the raster image in your Pattern Fill panel. To start with Method #1 in this series, go here.
Tutorial level: Intermediate to Advanced
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Method #4: Add the image to the patterns folder in your library with file import
This method is a combination of Methods #2 and #3. Like Method #2, we’re going to use the file import feature. But as in Method #3 we’re going to move the image into a Patterns folder after it’s in the library. That will allow us to use the image as a fill directly from the Pattern Fill panel. This method ONLY works with upper levels of the software.
Start by following the same steps as Method #2:
–Save the image to a folder on your computer where you can find it.
–Go to the Design area in Silhouette Studio. You don’t need to have your library open, because this process will open it for you. Like Method #3, it’s best to have your Pattern Fill panel closed.
–In the upper left drop down menu, go to File>Library>Import to Library. Make sure you choose that one and not Import Library. The latter is what you use when you’ve saved your entire library in order to move it from one computer to another (and you don’t really need to do that any longer since we have the Cloud).
–Navigate to the folder where you saved your raster image.
–Select the raster image. Remember, you can only do 1 at a time. If you want to import multiple images, use a different method.
–Click OK at the bottom.
This will open your library with the Local User>Library>User Designs folder showing. You should now see that raster image in that folder.
Here’s the major difference from Method #3:
After you’ve imported it to that User Designs folder, you have to drag it into a Patterns folder in order for it to show up in the Pattern Fill panel. In Basic Edition, you can’t move it there. You can drag it, but it won’t drop into the folder. Fortunately, you can Method #3 instead so you’re golden.
As before, you can move it to the Patterns folder in either your local or cloud library section. And you can name it, add keywords, etc. You add it to a shape directly from the library, just as you did in Method #1, but there’s not really much point to that. Because you’re putting it into the Pattern Fill panel, it’s easier to do it from there. But if you want to open it as its own page directly from the library, you can, remembering from previous methods times you might want to use that.
VIDEO
Here’s a short video showing how to do Method #4:
Use Method #4 when you…
…have Designer Edition or up.
…want to see that pattern in the Pattern Fill panel.
…only need to add a single pattern.
…are experiencing any difficulties with the drag and drop methods.
Why I don’t use this method
I think this is possibly the least useful method, because…
…it only works with Designer Edition and up.
…you can only do 1 at a time.
…you have to move it to a different folder after the import.
…even if a shape is selected, importing the pattern to the library will not automatically fill that shape.
…because of those 2nd, 3rd and 4th reasons, using this method means you are usually taking extra steps you don’t need to do.
We’re on to Method #5 next time, where I’ll teach you to to drag and drop the raster image directly into a shape without putting it into your library at all first.
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