Toadfish Monastery

As promised I now start this thread on my new obsession: The Tartan Designer.
Maybe someone can program it based on the stuff I will mumble about.

First here are some of the possible 'elementary cells' for a pixel tartan.
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=880)

Quote from: SwatoplukAs promised I now start this thread on my new obsession

* pieces trembles at the thought of dozens -- nay, hundreds -- of tartans showing up in picture games *

(http://www.myemoticons.com/images/people/male/kilt.gif) No, seriously, thanks Swato; this is interesting to me.

But can you design a tartan appropriate for a squidling?

_{Of course, someone with better eyes than mine will have to sew their widdle kilts.}

Tartan Design (Principles)  Part I

Tartan (or plaid as it is know in America) is a pattern of fabric. To be precise, a regular pattern of differently coloured threads in a woven fabric.
The standard weaving pattern (bind or weave) is twill (2 above 2 below for both warp and weft). Let's define some terms first.

QuoteWarp: The vertical threads (x= const)
Weft: The horizontal threads (y= const)
Stripe: A number of adjacent threads of the same colour
Sett: The minimum sequence of stripes that describes the pattern (without the repetition info). For unorthodox tartan warp and weft sett can be different
Repetition pattern: A sett can be simply repeated, e.g. for a 4-sett: (abcd)_n, more common is the reverse-repeat (abcdcb)_n

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=888)

For a full description of a tartan the follwing info is needed:
Sett (with the individual width of the stripes) for x and y
The repetition mode for x and y
If a twill weaving is intended, the additional info, whether it is forward or backward (the resulting patterns are just mirror images though)

The sett notation is usually: colour, number of threads in stripe
e.g.

Quoteb6 k4 y8 g2

= 6 blue threads, 4 black threads, 8 yellow threads, 2 green threads
This can easily be stored as a 2-dimensional array with the number of stripes and total width (sum of stripes) at zero position

For display the info has to be provided, how many threads (or pixels) the trtan shall extend in x and y direction. the relation between threads and pixels depends on the chosen 'pixel weave' as defined by the elementary cell (cf. picture in previous post above).
A thread consits of the colour part (1 or 2 pixels wide) and the border (usually 1 pixel. for broad pattern there can be a another pixel difference).

There are many different 'pixel-weaves' that can be descibed by the elementary cells (the 'rapport' in real world weaving). It is the  smallest n*m pixel pattern that by x and y repetition provides the matrix to be coloured.

There are several methods for how to turn these pixel patterns into a set of easily looped commands and to a degree it depends on the graphic commands at your disposal. The most complex requires only the PLOT command, simple ones make use of LINE, FILL, BOX and FILLBOX.
The method can imitate real weaving with simple unbroken warp lines at the start that are then partilly blocked out by the broken weft.
Another possibility is 'tiling' (overlapping or not) with boxes.
In order to avoid border effects without special exclusion clauses it is possible to first plot the thread borders by use of the elementary cells and then to use FILL for the thread colours. WARNING: This requires a frame round the whole field or there is a risk of 'spill'
The highest flexibility is given by the pixel by pixel approach. For each pixel the computer deducts where it fits in the elementary cell (using the remainder of the modulo operation r_x,y=(x,y mod n) with n the width of the elementary cell) plotting either a pixel of the border (or background) colour or, if a thread is hit (the number of which too can be calculated), the thread colour as stored in an array derived from the sett.
Depiction for the first three methods in the next post.

OK here is a simple (and photobucket-distorted) depiction of three construction methods:

(http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x97/Swatopluk/Streifenmethode1a.jpg)
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x97/Swatopluk/Streifenmethode1a.jpg

And here are the basic forms a tartan can take with combinations of the orthodox reverse-repeat and the less common simple repeat and equal or different setts for warp and weft:
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=930)
Please note that the different setts only differ in colour while the pattern is the same (12, 8, 4, 2 threads in black, blue, green, red and maroon, violet, teal, light gray resp.)

Also note that the seond in the upper row has a diagonal symmetry (only) and the last one in the upper row no axis of symmetry at all while all others have at least one horizontal/vertical one (upper left has 4 symmetry axes, two of them diagonal).

It occurs to me that there may be rules for true tartans that rule some of those out??????  Or have you investigated this?

Och, yeah, thaur ur rules.

In theory all of those are 'legal' but designs with different setts in x and y are rare. Most common by far is single sett with reverse repeat in x and y. Simple repeat comes as a far second.

You realize, Swato, that at least one of us is waiting for the *Official* Clan Toadfish Tartan...

Yeah but I have not yet found the perfect mix of stripes and colours. I think about adding a bit of herringbone (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herringbone_%28cloth%29) to the pattern. Since that is still twill it should be covered.

Quote from: Griffin NoName on May 21, 2010, 04:56:57 PM
It occurs to me that there may be rules for true tartans that rule some of those out??????  Or have you investigated this?

I have to rely mainly on wikipedia for that. Some aspects (esp. weaving theory) are better explained in the German others in the English. None are perfect though. I do not claim to speak with any authority.

I started researching tartans this spring to look for one suitable for a dog kilt. (I know, I know -- my head is bowed in shame, believe me.)

I was amazed that there are seeming millions registered. Have you checked "Scots Tartan Finder (http://www.tartans.scotland.net/find_tartan.cfm.htm)" as a reference?

I feel a Monastery Tartan should reflect tolerant colours and humble shades and should incorprate the subtle hues of Squidlings eyes best. ;D

Working on a squid weave. But that will then not be orthodox twill.
What about this basic colour pattern?
(k24 b12 g8 r2 y1 r2)

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=941)
That's not yet the final squid 'footprint'. Still experimenting.

So, here is my first true attempt at an unmistakably toadfish monastery tartan design:

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=943)(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=945)

My eyes are popping out of my head.

How do you do all this? Especially the swirly bits?

Actually, I liked ToadTartans 4&5.

Quote from: Griffin NoName on May 25, 2010, 05:02:02 AM
I feel a Monastery Tartan should reflect tolerant colours and humble shades and should incorprate the subtle hues of Squidlings eyes best. ;D

:squid_blue: :squid_green: :squid_blue: :squid_green: :squid_blue:
:squid_green: :squid_blue: :squid_green: :squid_blue: :squid_green:
:squid_blue: :squid_green: :squid_blue: :squid_green: :squid_blue:
:squid_green: :squid_blue: :squid_green: :squid_blue: :squid_green:
:squid_blue: :squid_green: :squid_blue: :squid_green: :squid_blue:

Quote from: Griffin NoName on May 26, 2010, 01:23:17 AM
How do you do all this? Especially the swirly bits?

I first do the vertical stripes in a band as broad as the weave mask I use.
Then I put the mask on top of it in transparent mode. The mask has to have a colour not existing in the sett. Also any 'white' in the sett must not be transparent white.
Here is the toadfish mask:
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=947)
Then I delete the mask by using white to replace the unique mask colour. Ideally all the pixels are connected, so a simple FILL does it. The toadfish mask unfortunately is not such an ideal mask.
Now I copy/paste until the 'cloth' is long enough.

The horizontal stripes are done next. No need for the mask here.

The last step is to copy the block with the vertical stripes with the 'etched out' mask pattern and to put it on top of the horizontal stripe block in transparent mode.

I'll do a graphic demonstration in the next post.

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=948)

wow! sounds like fun. perhaps you should patent the method !

That methods, if done by hand takes about half an hour for a continuous mask (=>1 FILL is enough)
If I had a running programmimg language environment, it could be easily programmed to take next to no time at all (even on a very slow machine).
But I currently do not have that.

But here are the first samples of squidling tartan:

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=950)

My eyes are now fizzing........

Holy Carp!    :o

Now thaqt makes my eyes boggle.  ???

They are stunning. Where do I order my kilt?

Do we have enough dough to buy our own programmable loom?
The toadfish mask* has 56x40 and the squids 68x70. Standard 2/2 twill has just 4x4

*I do not know the proper English weaving term for that. I mean the smallest x*y that describes the pattern completely. The German Term is Bindungspatrone.

Here btw are the still missing toadfish and squid tartans with the simple repeat (no reverse) of sett:

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=954)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=952)
I think those took me about 2-2.5 hours each (for the set of four in each image). Standard for a twill tartan is about half an hour or less.
All of course because I have to use Microsoft Pain(t) and not a design program. Could someone write that, if I gave him/her the basic/BASIC algorithm?

For those more classically inclined and maybe also would like a lighter colour here are a few alternatives:

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=956)

Excellent - classical-type motif, as you say, but I prefer the squidlings, personally.  :D

Quote from: Sibling DavidH on May 28, 2010, 11:46:14 AM
Excellent - classical-type motif, as you say, but I prefer the squidlings, personally.  :D

I won't disagree there.
Primarily an attempt to try something different (and less work intensive).
Maybe I could combine the tartan with celtic knotwork patterns.

For a change some non-tartan
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=958)

Cor- I've gone tartan-blind!  :o

Perhaps Beagle could program it while attendinng to his parents? You know, just to give him something to keep him sane................ :o

Swato, you continue to amaze me!

 :stupid:  Me, too.

Some more geometric patterns (trying to avoid them looking too much like swastikas)

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=960)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=964)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=962)

Quote from: pieces o nine on May 29, 2010, 05:00:35 AM
Swato, you continue to amaze me!

:o    :thumbsup:

In case your scale armour needs some embellishment:

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=968)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=966)

In case of headache and provided you have an iron stomach
Take SCOTSPIRIN
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=970)

 :sick:

:giggle:

Running out of ideas for patterns. Maybe I'll go back to different setts.
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=974)

Some of those make me dizzy.

That last group appears as a 3D pattern on my monitor!   :D

I see distinct layers for each color, like the effect an old Mac plugin created for 3D screen savers.

Wow, that's actually true. At least on this tube monitor. I have certain doubts about my flatscreen.

Some of them look like waffles, only the colour is different.

I think I know where the effect comes from. The sett and the pattern have different width. When one squints to get the images to coincide the brain assumes that both are the same and thus one must be at a different depth. I find it particularly strong with the bottom right of this one. I think it fails as a tartan weave because it looks as if the pattern was printed on afterwards and is not the actual weave but if treated as a 3D image the vertical stripes stand out with the lighter ones looking transparent to give a view at the continuous pattern below. Interestingly the narrow red/yellow stripes seem to have a life of their own.

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=976)

OK, let's dig out some old Guru Josh 12" records and start partying like it's 1992 again!  Trippy!  ;) :mrgreen:

Now this one really did not work
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=982)

Looks like the two word story printed in tartan :o

Now a bit more meditative
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=988)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1000)

Meditative? If I stare at it long enough am I supposed to see a flying pink pig?

Don't know about pink :mrgreen:

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=992)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=994)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=996)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=998)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1000)

Just a minor sett variation
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1002)

For a change a few diamonds
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1004) (http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1008)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1006)

The second one looks like on fire :mrgreen:

No, No, NO, my eyes hurt.

I'm sure there's some ancient Celtic legend about the doom awaiting the clan with the twisted tartan.
_{Never heard of it, but there's a legend about everything up there.}

These are *very* 3D on my flat screen monitor!

The second one (large image size) is interesting: could be evocative of monastery cells, or perhaps toadfish scales...

To get both diagonal and horizontal/vertical together is more difficult than I thought
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1011)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1013)

I fed the sett of the toadfish tartan to an online designer (which does only symmetrical reverse-repeat) with minor variations.

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1015)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1017)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1019)

Now these are - to my untutored eye - more traditional in style.  The ones before were much more attractive and interesting but hard to visualise on a hairy clansman at Culloden.
Anyway, they're all good fun.

Agreed, those look more traditional.

Very nice, Swato.   :)

At least technically these are a step up. But the combination of diagonal and horizontal/vertical seems to be a dead end

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1021)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1025)

OMFSM, but they look 3D on my laptop.  Excellent!
If the hairy clansmen had worn those at Culloden, Stinking Billy's men wouldn't have known where to point their muskets.  :mrgreen:

Feeling seasick.

I tried to transfer the squidling and the toadfish pattern to a more fabric-like style (i.e. visible separate threads).
At least for the squidlings it is difficult to see the images.
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1027)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1029)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1031)
In order to reduce the necessary amount of work I modified the sett, so it is equal to the width of the pattern.
That also explains the broader vertical stripes in the toadfish pattern.
The 3D effect is thus also completely removed.

For a change something more simple
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1035)

Like the purple.

Wow. :o

I rather like the purple!   :)

It is nice.

Going back to the old ways
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1057)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1059)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1061)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1063)

For a change some non-tartan patterns I made to pass the time

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1103)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1105)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1107)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1109)

And a few more
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1111)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1113)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1115)

(http://media.bigoo.ws/content/smile/miscellaneous/smile_157.gif)

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1117)

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1119)

These hurt my eyes. They should have a health warning :)

Swato, you seem to have a knack for this.


WARNING!  OPTICAL ILLUSION!
Don't click if you get dizzy easily - part of Michael Bach's site.

rotating snake (http://www.michaelbach.de/ot/mot_rotsnake/index.html)

Quote from: pieces o nine on September 02, 2010, 06:22:45 AM
rotating snake (http://www.michaelbach.de/ot/mot_rotsnake/index.html)

:barf:

Maybe it is better to believe Groucho Marx and not my lying eyes.

^    :)



The original for the link I posted is on Akiyoshi Kitaoka's (http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/~akitaoka/index-e.html) site, which does carry a warning about clicking on some of the images if you're subject to visual discombobulation. There are some fun illusions in the new sets.

Every once in awhile I choose another as wallpaper for a couple days.   (http://media.bigoo.ws/content/smile/miscellaneous/smile_157.gif)

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1121)(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1123)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1125)(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1127)

Now that's just cruel !

You should use your patterns with something like this:

http://www.easystereogrambuilder.com/Magic-Eye-Stereogram-Maker.aspx

The B&W ones in that last set look very much like the more intricate patterns in a black work (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackwork_Embroidery) pattern book I used to have.   :)

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1135)(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1137)(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1139)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1141)

This page should come with a health warning.

Quote from: Griffin NoName on September 16, 2010, 02:30:45 AM
This page should come with a health warning.

Isn't Tartan warning enough? ;)

Quote from: Swatopluk
Isn't Tartan warning enough? ;)

Kinya do wun wif skulls &/or crossbones?   :piratetoadfish:

Will try on occasion
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1143)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1145)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1147)

OK, here are the requested skulls and crossbones
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1149;image)

Ok, you made me:
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l252/anon1mat0/0cfueabh.jpg)
Although it doesn't look as nice as I expected...  let me upload it:

Looks like someone tried patching it. ;)

I  (http://i31.piczo.com/view/4/6/i/3/z/d/z/q/j/d/e/p/img/t287835915_66354_4.gif)  the B&W versions!

Fangtastic!

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1157)(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1155)(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1153)(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1159)

OMG!

That's pretty - would make for a nice xmas decorative quilt.

I especially like the black with white line (white on black) skull and crossbones. It looks like little old fashioned flowers until you figure out what it really is.

When we're staying in yurts at aggie's monastery, we can have a quilting bee with these designs...
(http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:vYa8mXcPYawWvM:http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r146/12_8/sm/1Via/viannen_sewing.gif&t=1)

Agh!!! I'll get seasick!!!

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1164)(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1166)(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1168)(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1170)

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1172)(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1174)(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1176)(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1178)

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1180)(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1182)(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1184)(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1186)

Good selection. I think one of the Toadfish should be weaving these and donating the cloth to Big Brrenda for her and her gals. And, preparing togas (or whatever Toadfish are supposed to wear) as welll for when we all arrive at the Dream Monastery...........

I reckon you should sell these designs to producers of bathroom tiles. Better still, write an idiot-proof software package to do the job, and sell 'em that.

I think the coloured ones would be more suitable for curtains and tablecloths

Some very nice designs in the recent sets!

Although the B&W piratey ones are my favorites again.  :)

Quote from: Griffin NoName on October 15, 2010, 05:06:08 PM
Good selection. I think one of the Toadfish should be weaving these and donating the cloth to Big Brrenda for her and her gals. And, preparing togas (or whatever Toadfish are supposed to wear) as welll for when we all arrive at the Dream Monastery...........

I have been mulling this over, and especially if we are in BC I think a modified hoodie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoodie) would fit - a longer cut than normal, free-hanging at the bottom and loose at the sleeves.  Hoodies may be perceived as nefarious in the UK, but are standard kit here; we'd just monk them up a bit.

A few things I did yesterday evening
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1191)

My god, man!

This reminds me of myself at my most manic and sleep-deprived!



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I am awed and ... almost concerned, just a little.

Please, please, please, go outside once in awhile.

And resist the urge to generate a dozen variations on leaf or pebble tesselations when you return!   :)



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Seriously, I am impressed. Some great stuff in there, as always. I have a few quilt block and pattern-&-color-for-designers references that show differing colorways on a series of related, intricate patterns to teach a new way of seeing. There is a real market for your designs out there, Swato, and an audience that has no idea what they are missing.

Maybe ... there is a "tesserate-shaped hole" in human programming.  :D

If they are just a few of the things you did yesterday evening, I can't imagine what the rest must have been like :mrgreen:

And here are the Sunday evening results
I usually do these things while listening to podcasts and youtube clips that are mainly audio.
It keeps the mind from wandering.
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1194)

For those with a slightly more morbid inclination
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1196)

Splendid!

The autumn leaves are falling
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1198)

They are lovely, even if they do come off some damn queer trees.   ;D
Seriously, these would make fabulous textiles.

Nice carpets, table cloths and wallpapers or bedclothes for the nursery. Not sure about clothing (except the b/w ones).

They'd make great ceramic tiles.

Quote from: Swatopluk on October 25, 2010, 03:07:09 PM
I usually do these things while listening to podcasts and youtube clips that are mainly audio.
It keeps the mind from wandering.

I've heard of walking meditation, this is mousing meditation?  ;)

Quote from: pieces o nine on October 28, 2010, 07:36:16 AM

Quote from: Swatopluk on October 25, 2010, 03:07:09 PM
I usually do these things while listening to podcasts and youtube clips that are mainly audio.
It keeps the mind from wandering.

I've heard of walking meditation, this is mousing meditation?  ;)

Well, looking at prawn instead is not encouraged around these places ;)

Some more autumn
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1202)

Reply #113, top right - I love that one.

Could I talk you into trying a different type of trefoil with it?  Possibly acanthus-inspired, but really just a little less claw-like.  I tried a version myself and it looked shoddy, so I will leave it to the master. :)

Actually I am not very good with leaves. The oak leaves used in the last badge for example were nicked from a google sketch.
What I miss most with MS Paint is that it only allows right angle rotation. To get a 45° copy of anything is pure horror and I am completly helpless at 22.5° and 30°.
As a result everything tends to be cross-shaped. And if I go for point symmetry instead I have to take great care that it does not look too swastika.

Here I tried some different leaf ornament designs. Not fully satisfactory though. The small branches look good but my attempts at acanthus totally failed.
Also, can you spot the error in the top right one?
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1204)

Here is, so to speak, a page from my scrapbook showing how I develop a design.
Small elements are drawn and then multiplied by doing 90° turns and horizontal/vertical flips
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1206)

I can't spot the error - I am crosseyed by the patterns. Maybe I will muck about with that design a little more - I really liked the circular elements to the larger pattern.

I love mucking around in Paint and lament the demise of MS Photo Editor.  You could do an extraordinary amount of picture manipulations with just those two little programs and very little technical ability.

Quote from: Aggie on October 30, 2010, 03:37:39 AM
I can't spot the error - I am crosseyed by the patterns.

In one of the yellow leaf branches one leaf is red.

----
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1208)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1210)

Wallpaper - counting leaves would induce sleep - would it cure my insomnia?

Since you like working with pixels, have you ever considered hacking a NES ROM, Swato?  Tedious, but fun.  You could Cthulufy an old Nintendo game...

More from the sketchbook
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1218)
Here the finished first piece with slightly changed colours
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1220)

Back to the old tartan theme.
I found a more convenient to use designer tool on the web and here are my proposals for our official tartan
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1222)

(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1224)

Width of stripes of course open to discussion

May I interest you in these painted glass panes for your decorative windows?
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1226)

Totally wow'd by the kelten combo...... seriously, you could have a second career going here.

Prefer the first tartan, with yellow stripe having red stripe either side, the second one is a tad brash.

The decorative window is a little heavy on my eyes, but I do have a migraine so my opinion counts for naught.

I am suddenly enchanted by the concept of tartan stained glass windows!

Quote from: Griffin NoName on November 02, 2010, 12:28:17 AM
Totally wow'd by the kelten combo...... seriously, you could have a second career going here.

I did that stuff on paper for years (rarely in colour though). But it's a good deal more difficult to get it in pixels. Also some of my favorite designs are circle based and/or require angles different from 90° and 45°.

You can't imagine how long this one took.
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1232)
This one was easier in execution but there is an imperfection in the tiles I noticed too late.
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1234)

Swato for master labyrinth-designer!

The small one with broad bands
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1236)
Again a small error there

The yield of yesterday evening
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1238)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1240)
(http://toadfishmonastery.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2332.0;attach=1242)

The tiles are getting more traditional.

Hey, apart from the colours that is traditional!  :mrgreen:

Colours are a matter of personal observation and cannot, therefore, be verified.

Ignore me, I am spouting nonsense.

Nor can tradition.

Likewise