RedGage

If you’ve followed my previous tutorial on how to make Polka Dot Patterns using Swatches you would have noticed that you cannot edit each dot individually. This is an alternative tutorial that will create the same effect that will allow you to change the fill / stroke of each individual dot in the pattern.

1. Open Adobe Illustrator and create a new document (8.5″x11″).
2. Take the Ellipse tool (Window > Tools; Circle), click on your canvas to activate the Options menu; enter in 75px for the width and height. Repeat. You should now have two circles on your canvas.
3. Drag and drop each circle into the upper corners of your document using the Direct Selection Tool (black pointer).
4. Select both (hold Shift while clicking on each), and hit Vertical Align Top in the Align palette (Window > Align). This just makes sure they are perfectly aligned to the top edge of your document so the next step works properly.
5. With both circles still selected go to Object > Blend > Blend Options; Choose Specified Steps > Enter in 5 and hit OK.
6. Now go to Object > Blend > Make. You should have a line of equally spaced circles running along the top edge of your document.
7. Select the line of circles and go to Object > Blend > Expand.
8. With the line still selected hit Ctrl C, Ctrl V to copy and paste the line; drag this new line to the bottom of your document.
9. Select both lines (top & bottom; make sure ALL the circles are selected) and go to Object > Blend > Blend Options; Enter 8 into the Specified Steps and hit OK; then hit Alt Ctrl B (make).
10. With everything still selected go to Object > Blend > Expand; then right click on your canvas and select Ungroup; you may need to do this with each line until everything is individualized. You can now edit each dot individually.