How to Use Frames in Photoshop CS3

Use frames in Photoshop to add borders to your image. Frames allow you to accentuate or draw attention to a photo or section of an image. In Photoshop CS3, the user-friendly tools will allow you to create frames with the style, color and thickness you desire.

1. Select the image you want to frame. There are a few tools you can use to make the selection in an existing image. Tools include the quick mask tool, magic wand or pen tool. It may be easier to make a selection around the portion you do not want and invert it by choosing “Inverse” in the select menu.
2. Step 2

   Prepare your selection for multiple uses just in case you need to use it again. On the Windows drop-down menu, choose “Paths.” The paths palette will open. Choose “Save Path” to save the path as a channel. You can now save your image as a .psd or .tif file and the path information will be stored in the file. The path can be converted to a selection by choosing it on the paths palette and clicking “Load Path as Selection” at the bottom of the palette window.

3. Step 3

   Open the image you want to frame. Double-click the background layer in the layers palette to turn the image into a regular layer.

4. Step 4

   Enlarge the image to make it easier to work with. Choose “Canvas Size” in the image drop-down menu. Click the relative checkbox and change the width and height to 50 percent. Choose the middle square of the anchor grid and click “Ok.”

5. Step 5

   Add a new layer (click “New Layer” in the layers palette) and fill it with the color you wish to use for the frame.

6. Step 6

   Put a textured border on the image by selecting the outer canvas area and using filters to create a variety of looks.

7. Step 7

   Purchase .tif images online to upload for border use in Photoshop CS3. The images will most likely have an empty center area that will allow you to put in your own photo.