Photoshop Undressed! How to create custom graph paper
We all know Photoshop is one hell of a powerful beast and, sometimes, infuriatingly secretive.
At first sight, there doesn’t seem to be an easy way to create a graph paper, so people turn to other means. As it happens, it is possible – once you know the secret password: Define Pattern. This is how it works:
Let’s assume you want to create 1 cm squares on an A4 size paper.
- Create a new document 1 cm by 1 cm
- Press Ctrl/Cmd+A or choose Select » All
- Choose Edit » Stroke. For Stroke, enter a value of 1 or 2 px (the thickness of the stroke will depend on how fine your printer can print a hairline). Click the Color box and choose a color (cyan, blue, black, etc). Select Location: Inside. Click OK when done
- Choose Edit » Define Pattern and name it Graph (or whatEver) and click OK
- Create your A4 document (obviously, can be another size if you wish) at a printing resolution suitable for your printer (240 ppi for an inkjet and 300 ppi for an offset is a safe bet)
- Alt/Opt-double-click the Background layer to make layer (holding down the key will hide the New Layer properties dialog box)
- Double-click the layer to launch the Layer Style dialog box and then click Pattern Overlay in the styles column
- Choose Graph (or whatEver you named the pattern) from the Pattern picker pop-up. When you do, you should see a graph superimposed over your document in your document window
- Reposition the graph as needed by dragging in the document – When you move the pointer into the document window, it should turn into the Move tool, enabling you to drag the pattern without affecting the background. Click OK to exit the Layer Style dialog when happy
- Choose File » Print
Of course, depending on how you stroke, you can create almost any type of graph paper: dotted lines, dashed lines, thick-thin lines, etc.
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