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View Full Version : Adding Frames (Borders) around Images (Quick & Easy Way)


Marvin
25-11-2010, 08:43 PM
Lots of people struggle to get this right but it is one of those "easy when you know how" jobs.

I am talking Big Photoshop here but this hasn't changed for years now so I guess Elements will be the same.

1) In the menu, go to 'Image' then select 'Canvas size'.
2) In the box that appears, tick 'Relative' and select 'Pixels' in the boxes to the right of the Width & Height numbers.
3) In the 'Anchor' section, make sure the CENTER square is shaded and surrounded by eight arrows.
4) Select the canvas extension colour from the drop down list or click the coloured box to set another colour.

Steps 2, 3, & 4 will stay put and not need to be changed again next time (but you will probably want to change step 4)

Now when you change the numbers in the 'Width' and 'Height' boxes the Height and Width will be adjusted accordingly with the picture EXACLY at the mid point of the new canvas size.
Keep these numbers even (e.g. 22, 24, 26, so it can split the center if you want it precise, especially on thin borders).
It is usually best to keep these 2 numbers the same as each other but you can play as much as you want.

You can add as many different borders as you like, varying colours and thickness each time. Each new border will go outside the previous one.
If you don't like it you can always "Undo" or "Step Back" then try again. ;)

cindy
25-11-2010, 09:35 PM
thanks for this Marvin will come back and try it out:clap:

benjiblanco
26-11-2010, 09:20 AM
Here's a little Action I made a while ago.
It adds a small thin border and a frame to your photo.
It is designed to work with any sized pictures, so you have to enter the numbers when it asks you.

Without sounding condescending...
You have to divide by 40 (ish) to make it work.
When given a number like 3745 and asked to divide by 40 can seem a little tricky.
So halve the number twice and take a 0 off the end :)

for example... 3475..... 1735 ish 870 ish 87 :top:

The reason for me making the action like this is so it works on images any size, but adds the border in proportion.

Just unzip the action, go to photoshop actions palette and choose from the menu in the top right corner > load actions.

Your image MUST be a single background layer. Flatten your pic first otherwise :top:

benjiblanco
26-11-2010, 09:50 AM
forgot to add, the benefit of this action is that you can adjust the colours of the border and frame at any time too. For example, using the eye dropper to choose colours from your pic to see if they work. :top:

cindy
26-11-2010, 03:44 PM
Think I will give it a go and thanks for the maths lesson ....not my strong point altho I do have a calculator to hand. I am guessing I can use this action in Elements?

cindy
26-11-2010, 03:57 PM
Sorry I don't have a clue where the actions palette is on elements. I am a newby as far as actions are concerned so don't know how they work.

Pipeman
26-11-2010, 04:19 PM
For now Cindy, go with Nigel's method.
Actions are brilliant but worry about them later. Your first priority is borders!

PS - no offence meant, Ben.