How to use digital frames

Adobe Photoshop or Elements Tip from Designer Digitals:

How to use digital frames

You can also watch this tip on video on their blog: Digital Scrapbooking Frames and how to use them in Adobe Photoshop or PSE [Video]

If you are trying to frame a photo, here are a few pointers that make the task a bit easier. Begin by opening a document the size and shape of your choice. Open a photo and the digital .png format frame you want to use.

Make the photo the active document. Get the Move Tool and drag the photo down onto the new document. Next, make the frame the active layer and drag it onto the new document on top of the photo. If it comes in under the photo, simply drag the photo layer under the frame layer in the Layers Panel.

Target the photo layer and use the corner handles to resize the photo. Use the side handles to turn the photo, if needed.

Your photo may be sticking out behind the frame. To delete the section behind the frame, you can get the Eraser tool and use it to erase away the excess photo. A faster way, however, is to target the frame layer. Get the Wand tool and click inside the frame.

Select the inverse by pressing Ctrl Shift I (Mac: Cmd Shift I) on your keyboard. Now target the photo layer and press the Backspace or Delete key on your keyboard.

Note: If the frame contains a drop shadow, you may need to increase the size of the selection by choosing Select > Modify > Expand. Set the expansion to a few pixels - enough to include the shadowed section.

Next week we'll continue with a tutorial on how to load and use a digital brush.