I admit, I'm an idiot!

[Rox74]

I know this question will make you all laugh, but I'm going to ask it anyway. I look at everyone's pictures and see the borders on them however I have yet to figure out where they come from? I have gone through Photoshop (even though I know very little and am still learning it) but I can't find it anywhere. Can someone please help?? I'm finally getting my pictures where I'm not embarrassed to show them, and I want to add some flare!

Thank you!

[HeatherLou]

Me too!

[dlbdata]

Most of them

"stroke"

[iCe]

Nah

I can tell you how I do mine. There are a lot of different techniques. I like Daniel's the best (zeroendless) but I can't figure out how to make the border come from the image.

(1) Use the crop tool in CS2
(2) Set the dimensions to 7.75 in and 9.75 in. Leave the resolution cell blank
(3) Crop your image with the crop tool
(4) Pick a background color. Use the color picker
(5) Hit X then pick a foreground color
(6) Now select Image, then Canvas Size.
(7) Check the Relative Box. Set to Inches Use 0.1 and 0.1 for the horizontal and vertical dimension.
(8) Make sure the right color is in the little square otherwise change the dropdown to reflect the color that you want for the narrow (first) band around the image
(9) Click OK
(10) Hit X. This swaps the foreground and background colors
(11) Alt-Ctrl-C or Image then Canvas Size again
(12) Same drill only use 0.15 for the two dimensions
(13) Click OK... there you go.

I always use a light and dark color from the image...

Oh... and FLARE is a good thing (Office Space related attempt at humor)

[CaptainTom]

I bought mine from Mike the framer in England.
search ps plug in frames on google.

[iCe]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

I bought mine from Mike the framer in England.
search ps plug in frames on google.

That dude makes some bodaciously good frames plug ins. I found them yesterday as a matter of fact.

[Rox74]

Thanks for the help! I will have to try it tonight and see what I can do! I can't wait!!!

[NoLight]

Mikes frames rock well worth the cost!!!! And there is an update so if you havnt got it email him!!!

[iCe]

Originally Posted by NoLight

Mikes frames rock well worth the cost!!!! And there is an update so if you havnt got it email him!!!

Link? I can't find it and I guess I didn't save it when I had the chance...

[zeroendless]

Thanks, Mike. Very kind of you. I do have few fans here and there from varies forum ask for my action.

I looked tho few actions before and decided to make my own. I hate those pre-made action that flattened all the layers in final approach. So i make one that will keep all layers, both 1 pixel outline and matted border and org image. So now you can change the propetry of each layer, filling color or gradient as you please by simply click on the image to pick closer matching color (both outline and border). Also, Action will ask for thickness of the matted border, (not the 1 pixel outline), make it more suitable for varies picture resolution.

It's Photoshop, you suppose to keep all layers! :)

There's thousands way to do it, have fun... and if you can't figure it out, PM me for action :. I won't have it till i get home, you probably can pick up the steps from my action and make it better

hints, 3 layers

outline on top
image
border at bottom

Side gradient


Top down Gradient


Solid


and a shameless self-promote outline filling....LOL

[monique_evette]

Ok, I gave it a whirl. Is there any other tricks that maybe give the borders a little spice?

[monique_evette]

Hey Zeroendless, you said that your suppose to keep all the layers? I always flatten mine so I can save it as a JPG. What is the purpose of not flattening the layers and how do I save them that way into a jpg?

[Daniel Bates]

The purpose of not flattening layers is so that you can go back and change things easier later on. Say you decide you want the inside line a different color--it's easier to switch it with a layer than it is if it were a flattened image.

To save the layered image as a JPEG--you don't. You have to keep the .psd (layers) file and use 'Save As' to make a JPEG copy.

[monique_evette]

awww... gotcha. THANKS!

[zeroendless]

Monique, what Daniel Said

I keep psd file only for web or print file then save as web for Jpeg(web copy). Another great thing about keeping the layers is you can remove them or uncheck to hide. That's very useful if you decide to change the company name, site, logo,watermark or even font type or size, hey may be your name? LOL.... You stuck if you flat your image with watermark yeh???