Isometric Mode to create Patterns and Tessellations

[DeniseIleen]

I build Tessellations using Affinity Design in normal mode (not Isometric).

To do this, I create Shapes, adjust their size + arrange them to build a Pattern:

1. So that the Shapes snap within a Pattern and so that the 
2. Pattern when duplicated, snaps within a Tessellation (as demonstrated in the 3 images below) 

 

Below I describe my workflow followed by questions looking to make my process more efficient. 

 
WORKFLOW

Step #1 - Find Shape Dimensions for Pattern

To find the dimensions of the Shapes within the Pattern, I:

• Create the Shapes, then I
• Adjust the constrained size + Rotate + Move the Shapes so they snap to each other (this provides the necessary Shape dimensions to fit within the Pattern)

 

Step #2 - Find Shape Dimensions for Tessellation as well

The dimensions of the Shapes must snap within the Tessellation too - so I:

• Duplicate the same Pattern (from step #1) as many times necessary so the duplicates fully surround all sides of the Original single Pattern, then I
• Adjust the constrained size of the Shapes so that all shapes snap to each other within both the Pattern + Tessellation (this provides the Shape dimensions within the Tessellation)

 

Step #3- Erase the erroneous, extra Shapes that don't fit within both the Pattern & Tessellation

Once the Shape dimensions are final (they snap within both the Pattern and the Tessellation), I erase the erroneous, duplicate Patterns, keeping only the Pattern with the correct Shape dimensions that snap within both the Pattern and Tessellation.  

 

Step #4- Merge the Patterns into images rather than shapes (so document 's size don't hinder its agility)

Once the erroneous Patterns are deleted, I: 

• Duplicate the Pattern one time
• Hide the Original Pattern
• Merge the Duplicated Pattern

 

Step #5- Create the Tessellation

• Duplicate the Merged Pattern enough times so it fills the entire canvas, creating a non-heavy tessellation

 

QUESTIONS for:

• Steps #1 and #2, is there a more efficient workflow to adjusting the constrained shape sizes, rotating and moving them so one can learn if they fit into both the *Pattern* and *Tessellation* at once? (rather than having to go through both steps). 
  • Ideally, I'd create the Shapes & fill with their corresponding image as usual - but then Adjust, Rotate and Move the Shapes within the Pattern and Tessellation so they snap to eachother in one step.  
  • Also, this more efficient workflow would allow me to skip Step #3 that would have multiple erroneous shape sizes
  • [How] can I use the isometric panel for this?
• Step #3, is there a different format or method I can use so that the repeated, individual Shapes and Patterns don't reduce the document's agility? 
  • Otherwise, when making modifications the document's large size hinders its speed. 
  • Also, if I don't merge the patterns into images, when returning to the document for any additional modifications, I can avoid having to re-create the tessellation.  

 

Thank you so much for any feedback or guidance.

 

[Alfred]

Take a look at the Symbols feature in Affinity Designer.

[DeniseIleen]

That really helped, thank you!

[Wosven]

Hi,

Perhaps those example and filescan help you too: