Help: Frames and Mattes in PSE 2

[ken1953]

Hello, How do I frame or put a matte around my photos in PSE 2. Is there a tool? Currently, I open my photo, enlarge my canvas by .25 or whatever size border I want, create a fill layer, send it to the back and voila...I have a black border. But, there should be an easier and more productive/creative way. Is there? Also, it's a little limited on styles doing it that way. hehe..
Thanx in advance for any advice. I am currently looking to buy CS2, but it's gonna be a few more months. The wife is taking some courses at the college and I can get the premium for $378.95.
Ken

[Asylum Steve]

But, there should be an easier and more productive/creative way. Is there?...

Well, personally I can't think of an easier way (what you describe would take me about 10 seconds), but yes, there are certainly more creative ways.

Try this. Increase the canvas size the same way, but instead of having the fill layer under your image, place it over it.

Decrease opacity (just for the time being) to a level that allows you to see the image through the fill layer.

Use the rectangular marquee tool on the fill layer, and create a rectangle the same (or just slightly smaller) size as the image. Start at one corner and click+drag diagonally across the frame. Press space bar to reposition the rectangle. Hit delete, then Ctrl + D (pc) to deselect. Return opacity to 100%.

You should now have a solid border frame around your pic. You can make the frame any color you choose by first locking the pixels of that layer, then selecting a color from the swatch palette, then using fill...

You can also now use any style tool on the frame (make sure you unlock the pixels first) such as bevel and emboss. This will allow you to customize the frame...

Hope that helps...

[mjs1973]

Hey Ken,

There has been a few threads on this site about a framing script that a memeber created. I down loaded a free version a while back, and it works pretty good. I only played with it a few times and don't use it anymore. He/she has updated the script and posts a thread when he makes changes and I remember seeing a new one within the last month or so. I think he charges for it now.

I also have an action that I created for framing my pix. I don't remember exactly how I did it tho. It's nothing special, just an outside black border, with a thinner white border on the inside. Once I get my pic edited, select that action, hit the play button, and PS does the rest.

Check out this link for PS CS2. You can get the premium package for $199 with your wifes student ID.

[Asylum Steve]

I've looked at a lot of plug-in frame/border software packages, and have hardly been impressed by any of them. Then I found this program by Auto FX Software called Photo/Graphic Edges:

http://www.autofx.com/pge_6/pge_6.html

Obviously, it goes way beyond standard frames and borders, giving you a seemingly endless supply of textured and artistic edges for your pics. Each filter has multiple editing options and creative controls.

At about $180US, it's not cheap, but if you truely want to pursue great creative touches for your photos, it might be worth the investment...

[ken1953]

Thanx all...I'll definitely try some of the ideas. It was one of my main problems is that I didn't have a lot of control over the layer...but that's probably because I still have a lot of learning to do. hehe...
Again...Thanx!!!!
Ken