SymmetryShop

SymmetryShop 1.0 is a powerful pattern generator plug-in for Photoshop, which automates the process of creating editable repeat and symmetrical patterns. This new version is the Photoshop equivalent of its popular vector-based cousin SymmetryWorks, an Adobe Illustrator plug-in, and shares many of the same interesting features.

Tucked away under the Automate menu, SymmetryShop looks daunting at first glance, with a whole host of settings and unfamiliar jargon. Sure, a few hours with the manual and tutorials will enlighten you somewhat, but the key to using SymmetryShop is experimentation.

There’s clearly a lot of maths and geometry at work creating the patterns, but the beauty of SymmetryShop is the easy way that any changes to the pattern settings are previewed for you before committing. In fact, you don’t really have to understand the technicalities of what’s going on at all, just tweaking the settings and sliders can create a whole host of different effects right before your eyes.

There is also a wide range of preset pattern options for you to use as a starting point. The real trick, however, is finding an image, or part of an image, to use as a good starting point. But once you have, SymmetryShop does all the hard work for you.

The only problem with this plug-in is that we’re not sure who would use it. Sure, it’s a lot of fun, and you can create some great pattern effects really easily, but unless you’re using it in a commercial capacity, maybe as a textile designer, the $265 price tag is a lot to pay for something that makes pretty patterns.