How to Make a Tessellated Background image.

        These instructions are explained using Corel Presentations Draw program.  They can easily be adapted for other draw programs. 
         To use a tesselated background image that has already be created click here. 

 
Step 1
Open Corel Presentations drawing.  Insert square using closed object tools.  Hold down the shift key to make it a perfect square. 
Step 2
Select "Draw a Freehand Object" from "Line Object Tools."  Draw a line from the top of square to the bottom starting and ending exactly at each side's midpoint.  Repeat process going from side to side.  Again remember that you must start and end at the midpoint of each side. 

Select square and lines, then group images.  Save as a jpg before going on ahead.  You must do this in Corel Draw in order to do the next step.  Other programs may vary. 
Step 3
Open saved image and double click on it to open it into a bitmap image.  Use the color tools to fill in two opposite corners of the image with a color. 
Step 4

Choose another color and fill in the other two corners. 
Step 5

Copy image and paste three times. Arrange all four images in a square pattern. 
Step 6

Choose two images on opposite corners and flip them so that you have one solid shape in the center.

Select all images and group.  Save as a jpg image once more before proceeding to the next step.

 
Step 7

Open image into a bitmap image again to clean up colors.  Be sure to remove all white areas and black lines.
Step 8

When saving reduce the file size to a desired size. Two to four inches is a nice size.
 
Step 9 

Use any graphics editor to lighten  image if desired.  Sometimes it is difficult to find font colors that show well

 
Note:  Following the proceeding instructions will result in two shapes that tessellate together. If you want one shape that tessellates on it's own, then you must copy your image from step 2, form your square, and then color sections appropriately.

Back to Home