On the Materials palette you can select both a pattern and a texture as part of a material. Whats the difference between the two?
A pattern is an opaque, repeated image with specific colors and details. A pattern is a style just like solid color or gradient. Thus, patterns do not use the current foreground or background colors. Lets say you select the pattern called Bricks and then apply brushstrokes with the Paintbrush tool. Each brush stroke paints the brick pattern.
A texture gives the effect of having textured canvas or paper. Textures use the current style (such as a solid color). Lets say the foreground color is yellow and you select the texture called Crumpled Paper. When you apply a brush stroke, each brush stroke paints yellow with the texture of crumpled paper.
Unlike patterns, textures can be applied at the same time as styles solid color, gradient, or pattern. That means you can have both a pattern and a texture selected at the same time. Heres an example of the pattern Bricks and the texture Crumpled Paper both selected.
Understanding Color and Color Models
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