I almost never use the seamless patterns that are included in my editing software for backgrounds, instead, I make my own using Simple Filters, plugins with no configuration at all--they just do what they do--to make really cool seamless tile patterns of my very own. This is how I do it:
With Simple Filters installed in the Filters (plugins) folder of the Macromedia Fireworks (or any 32bit graphics editor) program file (links to Simple and Macromedia at the end of this very amature tutorial), I create unique background using the following steps:
1. Create a new file that has a transparent, SQUARE canvas between 75px and 200px, depending on how small I want the pattern to be. Then I decide on my colors and or patterns for 2 layered squares that are the same size as my canvas. See L:1.1 and L:1.2 to see my two original squares used for most of this tutorial. (Play around with the colors and the blending options for these layers to get the color you want.)
Sample 1: L:1.1 and L:1.2 are the original layers. I grouped them together after finding the blend combination that I like.
2. Select the group then click Filters>Simple>(filter option). There are 10 filters to choose from. For the sample, I chose "4 way average" to achieve the result in R:1 of Sample 1.
You can stop at this point and you've got a nice seamless tile for backgrounds.
For more intricate tiles, you can use images rather than solid colors like this:
I used an image of a tropical fish, L:2.1 (my avatar) and applied 3 filters to the single image that resulted in R:6, 7 & 8. See them here.
Using only combinations of the 3 examples above (L:1.1, 1.2 & 2.1) along with various blending options, I created the following 8 tiles that can be used anywhere I want some texture in the background. Possibilities are endless!!!
R:9-12 & R:13-16.
*******Simple Filters can be downloaded here.*******
*******Macromedia Software is here.*******
Good luck!
With Simple Filters installed in the Filters (plugins) folder of the Macromedia Fireworks (or any 32bit graphics editor) program file (links to Simple and Macromedia at the end of this very amature tutorial), I create unique background using the following steps:
1. Create a new file that has a transparent, SQUARE canvas between 75px and 200px, depending on how small I want the pattern to be. Then I decide on my colors and or patterns for 2 layered squares that are the same size as my canvas. See L:1.1 and L:1.2 to see my two original squares used for most of this tutorial. (Play around with the colors and the blending options for these layers to get the color you want.)
Sample 1: L:1.1 and L:1.2 are the original layers. I grouped them together after finding the blend combination that I like.
2. Select the group then click Filters>Simple>(filter option). There are 10 filters to choose from. For the sample, I chose "4 way average" to achieve the result in R:1 of Sample 1.
You can stop at this point and you've got a nice seamless tile for backgrounds.
For more intricate tiles, you can use images rather than solid colors like this:
I used an image of a tropical fish, L:2.1 (my avatar) and applied 3 filters to the single image that resulted in R:6, 7 & 8. See them here.
Using only combinations of the 3 examples above (L:1.1, 1.2 & 2.1) along with various blending options, I created the following 8 tiles that can be used anywhere I want some texture in the background. Possibilities are endless!!!
R:9-12 & R:13-16.
*******Simple Filters can be downloaded here.*******
*******Macromedia Software is here.*******
Good luck!
