Artwork & Effects: Adding a Frame

[ScrugneysGundogs]

This should be a simple task, so I figure there is something wrong with my workflow. I have a picture that I'm done editing. I now want to add a frame around the picture. The picture is open in Full Edit mode.

- I go to the Artwork & Effects Palette>Frames>Brown Dark 1 10px
- click APPLY

instead of adding it to the picture, it combines this effect with the current layer (the picture) then wants me to resize the whole thing???

Is this by design? How is this supposed to work?

[Chuck Engels]

First create a blank image/file, then add the frame to the blank image/file.

After you have sized the frame to fit the blank file you can drag another image into the frame and size the image inside of it.
If you are careful with your calculations you can create a blank file that is the correct size for the frame and the complete image you want to add inside the frame.

I don't know of a smart feature that will automatically adjust the canvas size around an image to automatically add a frame at the proper dimensions.
That might be possible but I don't know how to do it.

[ScrugneysGundogs]

I don't know of a smart feature that will automatically adjust the canvas size around an image to automatically add a frame at the proper dimensions.
That might be possible but I don't know how to do it.

First, thanks for the info. Second, that's exactly how I used to do it in PS CS. I made an action to increase the canvas size by "x" number of pixels, then drew the frame on top of that. I guess a frame drawing plug-in is what I need for PSElements. The workflow to use the Artwork & Effects is totally bass-ackwards!

[ScrugneysGundogs]

How about this:

image>resize>canvas size
width: 16 pixels
height: 16 pixels
relative

Set Foreground Color> #60490a

Using the Paint Bucket Tool, paint on the new canvas

Artwork & Effects>Special Effects>Layer Styles>Simple Inner

That should make a frame similar to my avitar.

[ScrugneysGundogs]

I read up on how to add Photoshop Actions to Elements and I gave it a try. It works great! It's actually easier to use the action in Elements than it is in PS CS!

Here is the action I made:

set background color to #4D1106

image>resize>canvas size
width: 16 pixels
height: 16 pixels
relative

using the Magic Wand, set the tolerance to 0 and select the canvas

Layer>New Layer From Background

Layer>Layer Styles>Bevel and Emboss>Inner Bevel

Select>Deselect

That makes a frame similar to my avitar.

[elwoodsusanm]

Where do you get the numbers for the colours?

[Stregga]

Where do you get the numbers for the colours?

The numbers can be found by simply clicking on your foreground, or background color on the tools palette which will open your color palette. On the color palette you will find the numeric representation of the color on the bottom of the palette.

In the case of ScrugneysGundogs, the numeric value of #4D1106 is actually a deep color/saturation of red.

You will also find the RGB, Hue, Saturation, & Brightness values for each of your colors.