[smarti77]

I have had a couple of requests for instructions of how to do simple frames in photoshop....

While I have made an effort to keep this very simple it does require a moderate knowledge of photoshop.

Lets go...

- Open your image
(The image used in this example was 3008 x 2000 pixels)

- Create a new blank layer using the 'create new layer' button in the layers tab.


- This new layer will become the matte. Rename layers as you go...



- Next we need to increase the 'canvas size' to allow room for the matte:
Image Menu / Canvas size.
For this size image I will increase the width and hieght by 750 pixels (You may need to experiment to find the right size for your image)
*Remember to tick the 'Relative' box...


- Fill the matte layer with white or whatever colour matte you want (You can always change it later if you keep each layer)

- Create another new blank layer and rename it 'frame'

- Next we need to increase the 'canvas size' to allow room for the frame:
Image Menu / Canvas size.
For this image I increased by 300 pixels for the frame.




- Fill the frame layer with black (or any other colour)

Now rearrange your layers as follows...


You should now see the basic construction of the frame...

To make the frame and matte more realistic we can experiment with layer effects.

Follow carefully...
- Hold the ctrl key and left click on the image box within the matte layer and release ctrl key... (this will select the area within the outer border of the matte)


- Left click on Frame Layer.
- Ctrl X - (this will delete the selected area from the frame layer leaving only the required area...)

- Holding ctrl key, left click on the image layer (selecting the area within the photo)
- Left click on Matte layer.
- Ctrl X - (deleting selected area from the Matte layer)

Rearrange the layers with frame on top. Matte in the middle. Image at the bottom (as a real frame would be).
Double left click on the frame layer to experiment with layer effects.
Tick the drop shadow box and click on the drop shadow tab to play with the settings...


You may also want to experiment with the bevel and emboss tab which can help make the frame look 3 dimensional...


Click OK to save layer effects (they can be changed later if you wish...)

Double left click on matte layer to change layer effects on the matte.
With this one I only used the bevel and emboss tab to give a bevelled edge between the matte and the photo...



You should now how a finished frame:




Stay tuned for 'timber frame'... You may wish to save your work now (Be careful not to save over your original image)...

To convert black frame to a timber frame is a little more complicated...

Create a new layer and fill with black (make this the top layer).
- Filter Menu / Render / Fibres.
- Play with Fibres settings to get something similar to grainy wood...


This will become the grain for the vertical sides of the frame.

Create another new layer and fill with black (this will become the horizonal sides.)
- Filter Meny / Render / Fibres..
Rotate this layer by 90 degrees (unless your image is square you will have to then stretch the layer to reach all sides).



Now to colour the timber layers...
Image / Adjustments / Hue Saturation.
Tick the Colorize button..
Play with the hue slider to find the right colour.
Play with the saturation and lightness sliders...
(Repeat for both timber layers)


Now add a 'layer mask' to both timber layers...

(Repeat for both timber layers)

If you have never used a layer mask before the only thing you really need to understand is: Paint with black on the mask to 'see through' this layer', Paint with white on this layer to reveal this layer..... If this doesnt make sense you need to find a tutorial all about layer masks....

Left click on the layer mask and then fill with black. This will hide this layer.
Repeat for both 'timber' layers.

Holding Ctrl, left click on the image within the frame layer (this will select the area of the frame.)
Left click on the layer mask of a timber layer...
Fill the selected area with white to reveal this area.
(Repeat for both timber layers).

Finally we need to select vertical sides of the frame only. I found it easiest to use the polygonal lasso tool.
Trace the outline of the vertical sides and a 45 degree corner...
Make the selection and then fill this area with black on the layer mask of the top layer....



Again play with the layer effects of the timber layers... Bevel and Emboss...

Another option is to give the matt some texture...
Left click matt layer.
Filter / Texture / Texturiser..
I used a canvas texture (very lightly)



Hopefully you have reached this point...



Any problems? You know what they say.... Dry your eyes princess... Build a bridge....
ONLY JOKIN... Let me know and I will edit the tutorial to make more sense...

[Rabid Penguin]

sweet, now i can save money on frames! just print the picture and blu-tack it to the wall (jk)

[Pat]

Shane - thanks for this, have printed it out for future reference. I'm sure your showing will be a success

[Keith Alan]

Thanks for taking the time to do this.
I look forward to trying it soon.

[Toad]

I have really disliked faux frames for most of my online career - as ADI refugees will atest to - but now I am looking at digital frame solutions for odd shaped photos - so I have new interest in this. Thanks for the detailed tutorial.

[Paul.R.Lindqvist]

Excellent tutorial!!

Thanx Shane!

/Paul L.

[smarti77]

Thanks everyone. If anyone has followed it through from start to finish - Please let me know if there were any issues with the instructions?

Toad - I know these look very tacky when printed but I think they can be useful for net use.

[Irma]

Thanks so much for your tutorial. It looks very well explained.
I will work with it as soon as I can...