Rotation setting for image brushes in Affinity Photo

[CaroleA]

I have an image I would like to use as an Image Brush. I would like the specific image to rotate for every "imprint" so to speak to give a twisting effect in the end. The only mode I could find is "Cyclic" but it seems to cycle "back and forth", which does not create a correct twist.

I tried all the other mode for the rotation.

This is the look I want to create:

But the best I can get as an image brush is this (with the cyclic mode):

Is there another setting I could use?

[CaroleA]

Trying many things, I found out that, although I could add individual images to an image brush, there is no way to use them in sequence (which would address my issue above). Here is the series of "blocks" I created, and I would love to make borders with the blocks in order (1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5...)

Is there a way? If not, it is something I could surely add as a suggestion.

[U1F𐒱332]

这个画笔不是用来执行这个功能的吧

[CaroleA]

7 hours ago, 3289429830 said:

这个画笔不是用来执行这个功能的吧

I can't see how to do it, so I just assume it can't be done, unless someone shows me otherwise.

[steday]

Hello Carole

As far as I know, what you want is possible only in Affinity Designer, not in Photo.

So the stoke is vector, but it render with pixel (not truly vector like the one in illustrator).

See screenshot (you have to choose the primary color to the color you want the brush stroke).

 

[CaroleA]

5 minutes ago, steday said:

As far as I know, what you want is possible only in Affinity Designer, not in Photo.

For the string, I know i can do that in Designer, but the example where I need individual images to be used in sequence (like the letter blocks), does not seem to be possible even in Designer. Am I correct?

[NotMyFault]

There are many alternativeS, use text on curve and images pasted on that curve.

 

[CaroleA]

14 minutes ago, NotMyFault said:

There are many alternativeS, use text on curve and images pasted on that curve.

You mean one image at a time?

[NotMyFault]

Start with text on curve, then paste in the images in between the text

cant demonstrate as iPad lacks this functionality 

[Ldina]

1 hour ago, CaroleA said:

where I need individual images to be used in sequence (like the letter blocks), does not seem to be possible even in Designer. Am I correct?

This is a worthwhile tutorial to watch if creating vector brushes (Designer). I've also included a tutorial of his on creating pixel based brushes (Photo or Designer Pixel Persona). 

 

[CaroleA]

30 minutes ago, Ldina said:

This is a worthwhile tutorial to watch if creating vector brushes (Designer). I've also included a tutorial of his on creating pixel based brushes (Photo or Designer Pixel Persona). 

It still does not show any way to have the multiple images applied in sequence, one at a time.

[CaroleA]

36 minutes ago, NotMyFault said:

Start with text on curve, then paste in the images in between the text

So basically, place the images manually. I know how to do that. I just was hoping the brush settings would allow that type of "selection" of the individual brushes.

[Ldina]

18 minutes ago, CaroleA said:

It still does not show any way to have the multiple images applied in sequence, one at a time.

It's not clear to me exactly what you mean by "applied in sequence, one at a time". 1 2 3 4 5, or 1 1 1 1 1, or numbers in random order, or something else?

I created a Vector Image Brush that repeats 1 1 1 1 1 on a vector path, using a screenshot of your second post, with the block letter "1". I can adjust spacing between letters (using Repeat instead of Stretch) and varying the head and tail settings in Designer. I first exported a PNG file of JUST the block letter 1, and used that to create the Vector Image Brush in Designer.

Maybe that's not what you want. You could create a 1 2 3 4 5 brush, but I think you'd have to establish the spacing between the letters beforehand. Same procedure. Just export a selection of 1 2 3 4 5, arranged horizontally and spaced the way you want. Spacing between letters should be clear if you want the brush to be clear between the letters, otherwise your brush will lay down whatever color is in your PNG export. 

 

One Repeating.afdesign

[CaroleA]

This is what I get in Affinity:

Notice that there is are a bunch of 1's, a bunch of 2's, etc.

This is what I am trying to achieve:

Where I get the five blocks IN ORDER, but only once at a time. This is from using a picture tube in PaintShop Pro set to INCREMENTAL.

Maybe Affinity just does not have that option anywhere.

[Ldina]

I  didn't take time to clean up your screenshot, so the background color shows through between letters. I created a brush that will do that, more or less, but the spacing between 1-2-3-4-5 is fixed in the exported PNG image. Also, the letters do not stay vertical, but follow the trajectory of the path. 

12345 repeat.afdesign

[CaroleA]

So you created a SINGLE image that would have all the blocks in order, correct?

If so, that would be one way to do it, but I assume it works only in Designer, right?

And it does not allow any variation in size, offset, spacing, etc., correct?

And you would not be able to keep the size/format/shape of the original blocks (in this case), which are meant to look like toy blocks.

 

[Ldina]

2 minutes ago, CaroleA said:

So you created a SINGLE image that would have all the blocks in order, correct?

Yes.

2 minutes ago, CaroleA said:

If so, that would be one way to do it, but I assume it works only in Designer, right?

Not sure. Try it in Photo or the Pixel Persona. A pixel brush allows multiple nozzles, so you could create PNGs of each individual number block, then string them together in the pixel image brush. Pixel brushes have a lot more controls. ArtistWright's tutorials should show you many or most of the possibilities. Experiment!

3 minutes ago, CaroleA said:

And it does not allow any variation in size, offset, spacing, etc., correct?

Vector brushes allow you to adjust size (i.e., stroke width) and path, before and/or after drawing your path. Path is adjustable at any time. Vector brushes have settings for opacity and size variance, but they are limited. 

5 minutes ago, CaroleA said:

And you would not be able to keep the size/format/shape of the original blocks (in this case), which are meant to look like toy blocks.

Correct, at least with vector brushes. They will deform to follow the path. 

Have you tried @NotMyFault's suggestion of placing objects along a text on curve?

I think I've offered all I have at this point, so will sign off. Hope one of these methods works for you. 

[CaroleA]

3 minutes ago, Ldina said:

Not sure. Try it in Photo or the Pixel Persona. A pixel brush allows multiple nozzles, so you could create PNGs of each individual number block, then string them together in the pixel image brush. Pixel brushes have a lot more controls. ArtistWright's tutorials should show you many or most of the possibilities. Experiment!

That is what I first tried, and one option is Cyclic but that does not select the image in order, ONE at a time. It does like I show above, with a bunch of 1's, then a bunch of 2's, and so on.

 

4 minutes ago, Ldina said:

Have you tried @NotMyFault's suggestion of placing objects along a text on curve?

This is a manual process. I can do that, but I was hoping for a "simple" setting in the brushes to achieve that.

Thanks. Maybe I can add that as a suggestion for an additional setting in future versions.

[Ldina]

If you add all your individual "nozzles" to a Pixel Image Brush (Pixel Persona or Photo, i.e., separate PNGs for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5), then set your brush to Random, it will lay down all 5 of the blocks. But...it is in random order, not in a fixed sequence of 1 2 3 4 5. I'm not sure if there is a way to maintain the sequence and have it repeat for the entire stroke length. 

30 minutes ago, CaroleA said:

This is a manual process.

True, but you should be able to speed it up substantially. Create your text path. Place 1,2,3,4,5. Copy and paste at the end of your text path to repeat. Cmd-J.

Random Numbers.afdesign

[CaroleA]

9 minutes ago, Ldina said:

If you add all your individual "nozzles" to a Pixel Image Brush (Pixel Persona or Photo, i.e., separate PNGs for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5), then set your brush to Random, it will lay down all 5 of the blocks. But...it is in random order, not in a fixed sequence of 1 2 3 4 5. I'm not sure if there is a way to maintain the sequence and have it repeat for the entire stroke length. 

Yeah, that is what I am looking for.