Creating a seamless background can be a daunting
task. Fireworks is a superb program for creating Javascript
rollovers, buttons and animating but it does not possess
Photoshop's offset filter. But when there's a will there
is a way.
1) I chose an image of M & Ms at 200 pixels
x 150 pixels. I generally try to create my tileable graphics
using identical heights and widths. I also use even numbers.
So I 'cropped' my image down to 150 x 150.
2) I'm going to use a similar procedure that
worked in Paintshop Pro. Under 'View' I first turn on my
'grid' with 'snap to grid' on. I edit the grid size to be
75 pixels (one half of 150 pixels).
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(1) Image after cropping
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(2) Remember to use 'snap'
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3) Now go - Edit - Select All (Ctrl-A). Copy
the image (Ctrl-C). Bring up the layer palette and click
'New/Duplicate Layer.' Turn off the background. This will
aid your image offsetting. Then go - Edit - Paste to place
a copy of the M & Ms in the new layer. Use the 'Pointer'
tool to shift the image down and to the right, snapping the
upper left corner into the center. Go - Edit - Paste - again.
Now do the opposite. Drag the image up and to the left, snapping
the lower right corner into the center. Do this twice more.
If you are confused follow the layout below. Once you are
finished go - Modify - Merge Layers.
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(3) Manually offset 4 copies of M & Ms to this
configuration
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4) By offsetting the same image you now have a tileable background. But you
still must removed the internal seams.
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(4) Results of offsetting
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5) There are two ways to remove the internal
seams. The first is to use the 'lasso' tool to select several
of the M & Ms then copy and paste them over the seams
in a random pattern. Another is to use the 'Rubber Stamp'
tool. Zoom in 300% to get close. Now select the 'Rubber Stamp'
tool from the tool palette. Its corresponding option palette
appears. For this particular project I chose a round shaped
button, about the same size as a full M & M. l softened
the edge of the brush and selected 'Fixed.'
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(5) Rubber Stamp Tool
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6) To select a source image center the cursor
over part of the image you wish to sample. I chose a red
M & M first. Now click once to sample the image. Test
it over a seam by tapping several times in the same place.
You should see a red M & M. There may be some fluff around
the edge but when you zoom out most of that will be lost.
If you don't like the results edit the settings of tool and
resample another area. Add M & Ms along the seams. Resample
other colored M & Ms and continue. Remember to be very
careful around the outer edges of the image. If you go over
them the image will not seam properly.
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(6) Zoom close to work those seams
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7) When you think you are done Save and test
the image. Here are the results of my efforts.