Changing color of a pattern in PSCS2?

[andyapc]

Several months back, I made a polka dotted pattern in PSCS - red dots on a transparent background. I had saved my original psd file.

Now I'm working in PSCS2 and I opened up my psd file, used my rectangular marquee tool, selected my area and went under Edit>Define Pattern and saved it.

On the layout I'm working on now, I used this polka dotted pattern as a layer style. My question is: how do I go about changing the colors of the dots? In another thread from December 2004 Emma had posted these instructions:

Then your new pattern will be in your pattern menu. To fill with it, grab the paint bucket tool and choose Pattern istead of Foreground in the options bar, and fill the background or object. To be able to adjust the size of the dots, you need to use the pattern as a Pattern Overlay in the Layer Styles dialog. Double click the layer you want dotted, in the dialog click Pattern Overlay title and choose the dot pattern at the end of the drop down pattern menu. To alter the color of a layer style, either change the color of your original pattern image (save it as a psd so you can alter it later and make more patterns from it). OR just make a new layer, merge it to the layer will the dot pattern overlay to flatten the style (just like in the PSE class to flatten styles), then just change the colors with Hue/Saturation or Color Replace (to make multi-color dots)

I tried creating a new layer and merging it with the layer that had the style, and then using color replace tool and hue/saturation, but nothing is changing. I'd rather not have to keep going into my original psd file and changing the color of the dots each time I need to use this pattern.

[Amanda]

You probably need to merge the layer style before you change the color :)

[andyapc]

How do I merge the layer style? I thought that by creating the new layer and merging it with the layer that had the style, it would merge/flatten everything about that layer, including the style - but nothing seems to happen when I do this ... my new merged layer still has the style icon on it.

(I would rather use this polka dotted pattern as a pattern overlay instead of filling with it, because I need to change the size of my dots.)

[Lisa Carter]

andy
log on to hello...I will help walk you through it

[serena812]

I happen to be working on something similar and need the sma kind of help to change the color of the dots.

Thanks

[serena812]

I also need help with getting the spacing right so that the pattern looks even throughout the background sheet.

Any pointers for that?

[Emma]

I lied.

You can change the scale of the dots by using Layer>New Fill>Pattern. Then scale the dots.

Also, to change the color, go to Layer>New Fill>Color and choose the color you want. The solid fill layer will be above the dot pattern layer. Layer>Group/Clipping Mask/Ctrl-G or Alt-Ctrl-G depending on your version. Then merge the color and pattern layer and continue.

[Emma]

To merge a layer style, you have to putt he blank layer BELOW the other layer, then merge them. If the blank layer is above, nothing changes. Dunno why, it's dumb, LOL! I think maybe PS7/PSE2 allowed the blank layer to be above, but I don't recall.

To get the dots pattern even, you MUST get the two dots EXACTLY in the center of each quadrant. You use Rulers, Grid, Snap to Grid, whatever to make sure it's perfect.

This is why patterns are so much easier in PSP, you can ROTATE them! Just one centered dot makes a dotted grid pattern, rotated 45 makes the diagonal grid. PS/PSE is such a pain for patterns sometimes in comparison. It can be done, just a real pain. Diagonals especially are Adobe nightmares and PSP dreams!

[andyapc]

I did try to merge a new layer again (by placing the new layer under the existing one with the layer style) and it worked, but then I tried to use my magic wand (with contiguous unchecked) to change the color of the dots - but this necessitates me using the paint bucket on each individual dot to change the color. I tried to use Replace Color but I am unsure how to use this command and the Help file didn't help me.

You can change the scale of the dots by using Layer>New Fill>Pattern. Then scale the dots.

Also, to change the color, go to Layer>New Fill>Color and choose the color you want. The solid fill layer will be above the dot pattern layer. Layer>Group/Clipping Mask/Ctrl-G or Alt-Ctrl-G depending on your version. Then merge the color and pattern layer and continue.

Emma - are these instructions only if I fill with the polka dot pattern instead of using it as a pattern overlay/style? Because when I use this method and then go into Layer>New Fill>Pattern to change the scale of the dots, I see no option/slider/etc., where I can change the scale of the dots?? I also do not see any option to change the color either. I'm attaching a screenshot of what I see when I go into Layer>New Fill Layer>Pattern.

[Emma]

Andy: the Replace Color Command is in Lessons 4 of both your PS and PSE classes I teach.
But in this case, rather use the Fill command (Edit>Fill, or just Alt-Backspace to fill all selected areas or the entire unselected layer with the Foreground color).

To Fill with a pattern, you have to hit Enter at that screen, then it'll take you to another dialog where you mess with the pattern settings. Go to Layer>New and it'll pull up the same dialog, or use Alt-new layer icon and get the same dialog. It's just the Layer Properties. Hit OK and adjust the options (liek color for Color, or pattern and size for Pattern, or for Levels, or for Hue, they all have the same Layer Properties dialog, THEN their unique options dialogs).