I’ve been making patterns on my iPad for almost seven years, and over the years I’ve refined my process to cut out all the unnecessary steps so I can focus on what I actually want to do, (which, let’s be honest y’all, is draw flowers all day).
In fact, I’ve become so picky with how my pattern design process works, that I decided to create myself some tools to speed up my process, and I’m sharing those with you today!
see the tools
If you’re a see it on “paper” person, keep reading below. Otherwise, check out this quick video tutorial on Youtube:
new: a pattern sharer tool!
I also created a tool to make it easier to share your patterns as single images or in collections and add your name. See how that works here:
Get the 3 Widgets ⬇️
Update: this signup form will now send you 3 widgets! The Recolorer, Vectorizer, and Pattern Sharer. If you’ve already signed up for these and are looking for the pattern sharer, head to the bottom of the Recolorer page to find it rather than signing up here because the email won’t arrive the second time you sign up!
Sign up for my email list to get access to the Vectorizer, Recolorer, and Pattern Sharer widgets. I only send out iPad art and design resources, and you can unsubscribe anytime.
*Note that if you’re already on my email list you still need to sign up here to trigger the email that will send you the widgets!
problem #1
- Many artists have noticed that the current tools for vectorizing drawings on your iPad are buggy and require many steps to use.
- The apps crash often and take up storage on your iPad.
- The lack of simple tools makes working with vectors seem harder than it is.
problem #2
- Artists want to recolor their artwork quickly, but very few apps (especially iPad apps) offer a simple and quick way to do it.
- Without paying for a subscription or watching embarrassing ads, it isn’t possible.
solution
I created two widgets that I now use in my pattern design process every day, and now I’m asking myself how I lived without them! The two tools are:
The Vectorizer: You upload an image, adjust smoothness, and download your vector. Two clicks and you’re done.
The Recolorer: You upload an SVG, enter words or color choices, then download your favorites (as vector or raster files).
The Pattern Sharer: You can upload one or more patterns and add your name for sharing online at a low resolution (i.e. no pattern theft!).
the vectorizer
- How it works:
- Upload a black and white image
- Adjust the smoothness and detail sliders
- Download SVG and save to your cloud storage
- Two taps from upload to download
the recolorer
- How it works:
- You upload a colored SVG and recolor by either entering words or selecting colors and color relationships
- Download an SVG, PNG, or JPEG of your favorites
- Six color versions at once:
- The words-based color version generator will give you six different interpretations of your prompt (yep 6x the results as your previous process)
- The prompt for this example was: “Pink and blue twilight”
recoloring options
- You can recolor in two different ways:
- Words: type words like “pink and blue twilight” to see six different color versions evoking the colors/mood you typed
- Colors: Select one or two colors and then choose a color relationship (complimentary, triadic, etc.) to see your recolored pattern, then tap on each color if you want to change it.
why are these tools free?
I don’t believe in gating creative tools and want all the artists who watch my classes to be able to easily create the files they need for their shops, portfolios, and marketing. My hope is that this saves you time and helps you make more patterns rather than wading through annoying tech issues! #moreartlessheadaches
shortcuts
If you’re excited about using these tools, this is a good time to add them to your home screen. You can use the Shortcuts app to create widget buttons for your home screen or icon bar, and I show the whole process in the video tutorial above!
Get the Free Widgets
Sign up for my email list to get access to the Vectorizer, Recolorer, and Pattern Sharer widgets. I only send out iPad art and design resources, and you can unsubscribe anytime.
Hear From The Testers
This is what the patterns designers who tested these widgets have to say about them:
“These widgets sped up my workflow and filled in the gaps between transitioning between iPad design apps and getting designs to a finished state.”
“These widgets are fast, efficient, and fit seamlessly into my iPad surface pattern workflow, making it easy to test multiple colorways and get designs ready for production quickly!”
“These widgets feel like turbo-boosts for my workflow — fun, fast, and so helpful for keeping my focus on the creative part!”
learn how to make vector-based patterns
Just getting started with pattern design on your iPad? I share how to make vector patterns from idea to finished pattern in my free Affinity 101 guide and lessons.
