Use the Selection tool to select the object on the canvas you want to apply the pattern to. Then, select Fill or Stroke from Fill and Stroke in the toolbar.
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Learn how to use Text to Pattern to ideate and create elaborate patterns.
Text to Pattern, powered by Adobe Firefly, lets you easily create unique vector patterns to elevate your artwork.
Simply provide a brief description of the desired pattern and set the required creative controls. Illustrator quickly generates multiple pattern variations as output for you to explore. Once you pick the one that best matches your design needs, add it as a swatch and edit it anytime.
Generate and apply a pattern
Generate scalable and editable patterns using Text to Pattern.
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Navigate to Object > Pattern > Generate Patterns. The Generate Patterns window opens.
You can also access Text to Pattern from Fill or Stroke in the Properties or Control panel, or from Window > Generate Patterns.
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In the Prompt field, type in a description of the output you're looking for. If you are unsure how to craft an effective prompt or want creative ideas, select Prompt Inspiration .
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Use the options in Add colors or choose from color presets as needed:
- Color presets: Apply a color preset.
- No. of colors: Leave it as Auto or set the number of colors you want in the output.
- Specify Colors: Specify up to 12 colors. To edit or remove a color, select it and then make the changes in the menu that appears. Select Clear all next to Specify Colors to remove all the colors.
Select Clear all next to Color & Tone to remove all color settings.
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Select Add effects to your creation and then apply one or more preset Effects, as needed.
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Select View all settings and then adjust the Density slider to control pattern density.
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Select Generate. Variations of the pattern appear in the Generate Patterns panel. The first variation is automatically applied to the object.
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Try out the variations and select the one that best suits your design goals.
All the previewed variations get automatically added as pattern swatches in the Generated Patterns folder in the Swatches panel (Window > Swatches) for later use. You can use these swatches like any other pattern swatch.
Edit a pattern variation
Double-click the required pattern swatch in the Swatches panel (Window > Swatches), and in the Pattern Options panel that opens, adjust settings such as Width, Height, and Copies. You can't modify Tile Type and Brick Offset for a generated pattern.
If you select a variation in the Generate Patterns panel and then select Edit Pattern , the corresponding swatch gets updated. The variation in the Generate Patterns panel remains unchanged.
Manage pattern variations and swatches
You can view and manage all the pattern variations generated in your document in the Generate Patterns panel. You can't view them in the Generated Variations panel.
For a pattern variation added as a swatch, you can delete one without affecting the other. You can undo the deletion of a swatch, but you can't undo the deletion of a variation. In both cases, the applied pattern on the canvas remains unaffected. If you delete an applied pattern on the canvas, the variation and the swatch remain unaffected.
Unlike the objects generated using Text to Vector Graphic and Generative Shape Fill, there are no linked variations for a pattern applied on the canvas. Generate Similar also isn't available for variations generated using Text to Pattern.
Provide feedback on your output
Hover over a variation, select More options , and then select Good Result or Poor Result to rate its quality.
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