This step-by-step tutorial will allow you to create a tessellation on your computer using very simple tools.
The following steps will were designed for Microsoft Paint (Windows 3.x/95/98). These steps will work if you are using ClarisWorks Paint, however, some of the pictures on the toolbar may look a little different.
Instead of reading and trying to memorize the steps, or printing this page out, try this:
| While keeping the Internet browser running, open up a copy of Paint or ClarisWorks. Once both programs are running, you should be able to switch between them. You can read a sentence or two on the browser and then immediately try it out on the paint program! |
OK, here we go ...
Step 1
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Select your favorite color from the menu. Next
choose the rectangle tool. When you choose this tool, the options
box (below the shape buttons) will appear. Choose the bottom rectangle.
Once you've done that, hold the "SHIFT"
key down and draw a rectangle in the drawing area using the RIGHT
mouse button. The square should be about 4cm on each size (estimate,
don't measure!!).
NOTE: It is best to work in the middle of the screen. |
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Next, select the "Free-Form Select" tool at
the top left of the button bar. Make sure that you choose the last
option in the option box (below the shape buttons).
Using the select tool, start on the top edge of your square and wiggle around as you are going down and exit the lower edge of the square. Continue dragging the mouse around the left side of the square and link up with the starting point. Once the loop is complete and the mouse button is released, the "cut" line will become dotted indicating the segment is "active". |
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| Press the mouse button to drag the active left side away from the initial square as shown. Drag the selection to the right side of the square and line it up so that there are no gaps showing. | |
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| Next, repeat Step 3 again, EXCEPT, this time, use the top and bottom of your square. | ||
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Step 5
| Look at the figure. What does it look like
to you? To me, the shape looks like a flying dragon. Add some detail
to your tessellation. When adding detail, you can use different colours
if you like.
After you have added some detail, be sure to save your work!!. |
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Next, select the "Rectangle Select" tool at
the top right of the button bar. Make sure that you choose the last
option in the option box (below the shape buttons).
Using the select tool, select your shape. Next, go to the Edit menu and select Copy. Finally go back to the Edit menu and select Paste. Move the pasted copy to a different location of the screen. |
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Choose another colour, one which would be in
contrast to the colour you picked in Step 1.
Using the "Fill Tool," change the colour of one of the shapes on your screen. |
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Select one of the shapes on your screen using the "Free-Form" selection tool. Move the shape so that it interlocks with your other shape. Try to move it into position so that there are no white gaps between the two shapes. |
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Using the "Free-Form" selection tool, select
both pieces. Go to the Edit menu and select Copy.
Finally go back to the Edit menu and select Paste.
Move the pasted selection so that it fits onto your shapes.
NOTE: Try to move your pasted selection so that you create a sort of "checkerboard" pattern. See below to look at the difference between "REGULAR" and "CHECKERBOARD" patterns. |
| REGULAR
PATTERN
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CHECKERBOARD
PATTERN
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| Whew!! Last step...
Repeat Step 9 until your screen is filled with your shape. Congratulations!!!
You've created a tessellation.
Be sure to save your work so you can share your accomplishment with others!! |
