Collection Patterns Simple

One of my traits is a very strong interest in patterns. Don’t know why or whence. But 20 plus years ago when I got my first Mac I happened to see about a plugin for Photoshop named Terrazzo. Wallpaper patterns. Mathematics only recognize 17 possible types.

So I got Photoshop along with my new computer and have never looked back. Terrazzo didn’t make it to OS 10, but I’d made 1000s of pattern units by then. Pattern units are the seeds that that can reproduce widthwise and lengthwise identically. If you happen to own a kingdom your little seed of a pattern might reach square miles.

Today I use Artlandia’s SymmetryMill 2. It has every of the 17 mathematically possible wallpaper groups. Ways to create rectangular patterns whose roses or stripes will fit on any wall of the same size.

01. Three patterns here. The red, the orange and the macro pattern of wavy stripes.
02. A pattern made in my favorite defunct program, Aviary Peacock (later Nodewerk).
03. An example of one of the more complicated symmetries. It’s from a photo of people ahead of us heading home after July 4 fireworks.
04. One of my most ancient files, surely from the 1990’s, from a photo of a fish on a CD compendium of beasts. Think of it as one of the carrots that stays in front of my nose.