Great Sources for Clipart

As I am not very good at drawing a lot of my patterns originate from clipart (.jpg, .gif, .wmf). So it is important to me to have a large selection that are of good quality.

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My online source is Graphics Factory - They have an awesome selection.

Here is a pattern I have created with their images:

Another great source for .wmf images is GreenStreet Software Specialists. Their images are available on CD-ROM. Visit their site for list of distributors.

Here is a pattern I created using their images:

From Image to Pattern

First you will want to make sure you have permission (especially if you are planning to sell the pattern or finished product) to use the image files. Once this has been done, you are ready to create.

When creating a pattern from an image, you first must choose an image. This can be a lot of fun, unless you find too many you like (which almost always happens with me).

Most images start out too big for my particular patterns, so they must be shrunk. This process does not work with all images, but most come out OK and must be slightly reconstructed.

Example: Here is a pattern I created from a Graphics Factory clipart image:

Original Image

Image started out 320x240 with 149 colors.

After Shrinking. Zoomed 300%

Image shrunk to 77x89.

Completed Pattern

Large Doily with 11 Colors.

Having only 36 colors to work with can be a challenge when it comes time to reduce the colors, especially when a pattern starts out with so many colors. And some have a lot more than this one.

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