Create vectored halftone effect textures using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
January 4, 2012 9:17 AM
Here's how to make those large graduated dot patterns seen today in so many edgy, contemporary designs.
Step 1
Open a new grayscale document in Photoshop. Draw a circle and fill it with black. Deselect the circle and go to Blur>Gaussian Blur under the
Filter Menu. Any shape will work for this effect.
Step 2 & 3
Change the document Mode from Grayscale to Bitmap... In the new window that pops up, leave the Input and Output resolution the same, and for Method, choose Halftone Screen. This is the point at which the shapes and sizes of the screened texture are determined, so experiment until you find the look you like.
Step 4
Return to the Image Menu and select Grayscale Mode. Leave the Size Ratio at 1.
Step 5
Using the Magic Wand tool with a Tolerance of zero, select all the black pixels and create a Work Path.
Step 6
Save the Work Path as Path 1. Choose Export>Paths to Illustrator under the File Menu. Name the file and open it in Illustrator.
Step 7
Now working in Illustrator, select all and make the entire image a Compound Path under the Object Menu. Your vectored pattern can now be filled with any solid color or gradient you choose. One of the advantages of vectored art is that there are no size restrictions due to resolution.
Experiment and have some fun with different setting options and unusual shapes. Many contemporary illustrations and layouts use similar images as a design element.
Step 1
Open a new grayscale document in Photoshop. Draw a circle and fill it with black. Deselect the circle and go to Blur>Gaussian Blur under the
Filter Menu. Any shape will work for this effect.
Step 2 & 3
Change the document Mode from Grayscale to Bitmap... In the new window that pops up, leave the Input and Output resolution the same, and for Method, choose Halftone Screen. This is the point at which the shapes and sizes of the screened texture are determined, so experiment until you find the look you like.
Step 4
Return to the Image Menu and select Grayscale Mode. Leave the Size Ratio at 1.
Step 5
Using the Magic Wand tool with a Tolerance of zero, select all the black pixels and create a Work Path.
Step 6
Save the Work Path as Path 1. Choose Export>Paths to Illustrator under the File Menu. Name the file and open it in Illustrator.
Step 7
Now working in Illustrator, select all and make the entire image a Compound Path under the Object Menu. Your vectored pattern can now be filled with any solid color or gradient you choose. One of the advantages of vectored art is that there are no size restrictions due to resolution.
Experiment and have some fun with different setting options and unusual shapes. Many contemporary illustrations and layouts use similar images as a design element.
