How to use Motif Composer
Arrange isolated motifs into a repeat tile. Scatter them at random or lay them out in a grid, set the spacing and background, and export the tile.
Credit Usage
Options & Settings
| Setting | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Canvas Size | Buttons | Working canvas in pixels. Pick the size the finished tile needs to be. 4006008001000 |
| Repeat Type | Buttons | How the tile repeats in the preview. Mirror H and Mirror V flip alternate tiles, which hides a directional motif's seam. BlockBrickMirror HMirror V |
| Scatter Count | Slider | How many copies Scatter drops onto the canvas. 1-30 |
| Placement | Buttons | Scatter drops the motifs at random positions and angles for an organic layout; Grid Fill lays them out evenly. ScatterGrid Fill |
| H-Spacing / V-Spacing | Sliders | Gap between motifs across and down, used by Grid Fill and the tile preview. 0-200 px |
| Background | Color Picker | Canvas backdrop, or transparent to keep the alpha channel for layering later. |
| Align | Buttons | Align the selected motifs left, centre, right, top, middle or bottom. LeftCenterRightTopMiddleBottom |
| Export DPI | Presets | Resolution of the exported tile. A higher DPI exports more pixels from the same canvas and writes that DPI into the file. 72150300600 |
When to Use
- Building repeat patterns from individual motif elements
- Creating scattered/tossed print layouts
- Arranging placement prints for garment panels
Pro Tips
Use Scatter for natural, organic-looking prints and Grid Fill for an even layout
Scatter is random: run it again for a different layout
Export at the DPI your printer asks for
Combine with Seamless Repeats for infinite tiling
How do I…
How do I arrange motifs into a repeat tile?
Add your motifs, then choose Scatter for random positions and angles or Grid Fill for an even layout. Scatter Count sets how many copies are dropped, up to 30.
How do I keep a transparent background?
Set the Background to transparent. The exported tile keeps its alpha channel for layering later.
How do I export the tile at print resolution?
Pick the Export DPI your printer asks for. A higher DPI exports more pixels from the same canvas and writes that DPI into the file.
What to Expect
Best Results
- Transparent PNG motifs with clean edges
- High-resolution sources (500px+ per motif)
- Consistent style across motifs
- 3-8 motifs per tile
Limited Results
- JPG motifs with white backgrounds
- Very low-resolution motifs
- Too many motifs (20+)
- Motifs with inconsistent lighting
Real-World Examples
Floral Dress Fabric
5 hand-painted flower PNGs were scattered across a 1000px canvas, scattered again until the layout felt balanced, and exported at 300 DPI for dress fabric production.
Geometric Cushion Cover
3 geometric shapes were laid out with Grid Fill on an 800px canvas with 20px H-Spacing and V-Spacing, giving an even geometric repeat for upholstery.
Ready to try Motif Composer?
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