1. Open new image, say 600x600 so it’s big enough to see what you're doing, transparent background, 300dpi.
2. Set colours to foreground=white, background=black.
3. Use preset shapes to draw a about a quarter of the size of your canvas and simplify that layer (“right click+Simplify Layer” on Shape 1 on the layer palette).
4. Use the lassoo tool (straight lines) to select a quarter of that circle, select inverse and delete - you're left with a quarter circle rather like a slice of pie!
5. Deselect then “Layer+Dupilicate” this layer (rename shape 2) and “Image+Rotate+Flip Layer Vertical” and “Image+Rotate+Flip Layer Horizontal”. Use move tool to move it away from your first shape. You should now have another slice of pie pointing in the other direction!
6. Draw a square with preset shapes that is the same width + height as the straight edge of your slice of pie
7. Move the shapes on the canvas so that the 2 slices of pie join up to the square on the top and bottom edges. (shape 1 at the top, the square in the middle and shape 2 at the bottom - your new shape should look something like a leaf) Click “Layer+Merge Visible”.
8. Select your shape with the magic wand tool and add a gradient filter – foreground to background, 50% opacity, radial gradient. Start with your cursor in the middle of the shape and pull it out to just past one of the pointed corners. Deselect the shape. (You have now made your basic unit that will go on to be repeated to make the cord or rope, you may want to add colour or texture at this point before making into a whole cord).
9. “Image+Transform+Free Transform” this layer and set the angle (in the top bar) at -45º. “Layer+Duplicate Layer” this layer.
10. Activate "grid" and "snap to grid" from the View menu and us ehte move tool to line up the 2 shapes side by side so the long edges touch. ( hint: the top and bottom of both shapes should be exactly level with each other and it doesn’t matter if one of your shapes goes off the canvas slightly at one side) “Layer+Merge Visible” again.
11. Deactivate grid + snap and use square marquee tool to start cropping your image at the top and sides - you want to end up with the ends of the centre diagonal line on the edges of your canvas, and you’ll have left what looks like a tilted screw head.
12. Resize your image to whatever height you want it to be (I chose 100px), then “Edit+Define Pattern” and name your new pattern Cord or Rope.
13. Open a new image - the same height as you’ve just resized your previous image to and 3600px wide. Click “Edit+Fill” and choose your new pattern from the custom patterns dropdown list... click OK and HEY PRESTO!! You should have something very like a rope appear. Now you can change colours and add texture.
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