easily adding photo borders and frames?

Question

Level 1

8 points

easily adding photo borders and frames?

OK, so bear with me but you can tell it's driving me crazy that there isn't an obvious software for me to use? (Or, maybe there is and you'll tell me!)

I'm trying to basically add the delightful little photo borders and/or frames that are basically available via Apple in every other program (the drop zones for themes in iMovie and iDVD, the image themes for iWeb, etc). Nice clean and not cheesy looking photo borders of a variety of styles and shapes, some trad'l and some modern, some flat and some glassy, with and without drop shadows, and then some masks that actually reshape the image itself. (I use RapidWeaver for webpage creation and there are all sort of fantastic plug ins for that like Collage and Carousel that have these same photo treatments!)

Was hoping this was a simply iPhoto plug in but I can't find one... I looked in downloads and the two programs there aren't great (image framer - ick, cheesy - and easy frame, better but still not many border options).

I've explored the Essentials for iPhoto by OnOne - and they're ok but a whole lot of effects that I consider over the top and then not many (or really any) photo borders in the style that is the usual style (again that are all over the apple programs)? And, I have Photoshop Elements 6 to do the rest of what's offered in there (Fix It, Enlarge It, Blur It - I was only using Frame it). Does anyone have that and did I miss the photo borders that I want - or can I download them somewhere to add them? (Also tried OnOne's PhotoFrame 4 - has literally hundreds of options - but there weren't many trad'l borders with clean shadows, and it's $159 for the STandard version - not worth it for the 30 or so effects I'm looking for).

Also tried a demo of Auto FX's Photo Graphic Edges - again, a ton of wacky options and the photo borders are there but it takes about 10 steps to get them away from "digitalesque" dimensional things - I just want the simple photo borders and don't have time to make them myself!

Basically, I am making custom photo products for people all the time so they need to be high-quality and render into a PNG or transparent image so I can layer them over other images. All those images are in iPhoto and I zip them around with other Mac-compatible programs or export them to make photo books, montages, scrapbook pages, posters, etc. I have resorted to using a whole host of scrapbooking frames that are image PNGs that resize and stay high-quality, but it's time consuming to get size right in Photoshop. There has to be an easier way!

Is there a plug in that gives me the "image frame" options that I'm looking for? Should I get something like Print Shop (a mere $69 which is less than Auto FX!) but will have easy drop in manipulation for these frames? I'd love to be able to drag and drop from iPhoto, preview the different frames, pick one and either save (if I have to) and bring back in, or ideally it works with iPhoto automatically.

Any other ideas than what I've tried? Recommendations? Or, am I shooting too high here ...? 🙂

Look forward to hearing any ideas - thanks!

Alexa

p.s. As I said above, using iPhoto and PSE6 for now. Waiting as long as possible to upgrade to a newer version of PS (CS4) or considering Aperture 2.1 -

imac, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Oct 30, 2008 9:31 PM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

216,064 points

Oct 31, 2008 1:46 PM in response to akcorcoran

What are you using the framed photos for, display only or printing?

Have you looked into Photoshop actions that create frames around photos? There are a lot of them out there but I don't know if PSE 6 can use actions. If it can give some a try.

Some can be found here:

http://www.atncentral.com/download.htm

AKVIS Frame Suite for Mac

http://www.pbase.com/budguinn/newactionsframes

http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/exchange/index.cfm?event=extensionDetail&loc=en_us& extid=1045105

TIP: For insurance against the iPhoto database corruption that many users have experienced I recommend making a backup copy of the Library6.iPhoto (iPhoto.Library for iPhoto 5 and earlier) database file and keep it current. If problems crop up where iPhoto suddenly can't see any photos or thinks there are no photos in the library, replacing the working Library6.iPhoto file with the backup will often get the library back. By keeping it current I mean backup after each import and/or any serious editing or work on books, slideshows, calendars, cards, etc. That insures that if a problem pops up and you do need to replace the database file, you'll retain all those efforts. It doesn't take long to make the backup and it's good insurance.
I've created an Automator workflow application (requires Tiger or later), iPhoto dB File Backup, that will copy the selected Library6.iPhoto file from your iPhoto Library folder to the Pictures folder, replacing any previous version of it. It's compatible with iPhoto 6 and 7 libraries and Tiger and Leopard. Just put the application in the Dock and click on it whenever you want to backup the dB file. iPhoto does not have to be closed to run the application, just idle. You can download it at Toad's Cellar. Be sure to read the Read Me pdf file.

Note: There's now an Automator backup application for iPhoto 5 that will work with Tiger or Leopard.

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Answer 2

akcorcoran Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 31, 2008 4:08 PM in response to Old Toad

HI - unfortunately, both printing and display (and when display, it's going onto montages played on DVDs, so they need to retain quality. i"ve had a lot of luck with these scrapbooking pngs, but it's just a lot of time.

I just landed on the action central site and think what works is sort of a one-by-one, trial-by-trial sort of effort. I loaded one into the right place - and, yes, you can use actions in PSE 6 (you put in Photo Effects folder in Photo Creations of the PSE6 folders - found in the HD "Library", then "Application Support," "Adobe" folder = and the Library is not for a user, but for whole Macintosh HD). So some load, some don't (and I have to make and reload my own PNGs, then delete database of photo effects and rebuild every time). Anyway, I added it and it gives me an error but then actually performs that desired action, so I'll give some of the other promising ones a try.

And, thx - I'll look into AKVIS - I used a sketch plug in of theirs but didn't know they had frames as well.

So much of it is that I need to be able to "try frames on" - so using actions or me creating myself implies that I know which one I want to use. I like to dabble in them and then try with the rest of the artwork on a layered image to see how it looks.

Thanks again -
Alexa

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Answer 3

Oct 31, 2008 8:56 PM in response to akcorcoran

You have looked at the frames section of the Content Palette in PSE?

If those don't do what you want, in addition to framing actions there are a number of nice frame and matte layer styles available from many sources. Try the Adobe studio exchange, for example.

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Answer 4

akcorcoran Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 1, 2008 3:05 PM in response to Barbara Brundage

Thanks - yes - the frames there aren't exactly what I need. I can occasionally use one or two - but that's about it. And, as I said, it's time consuming to have to change each and every time (i.e. if I want to add color in only certain spots to make white border look vintage, etc.)

I think the real issue is that I am cheating and using PSE and not PS. Even though actions work OK in PSE, I would have a much larger variety of free tools and actions if I had Photoshop itself. Might be better to spend my $ there (esp given the prices of these other packages and that I can get an upgrade price for PS).

I haven't tried Adobe studio exchange though - thanks for the tip!

Alexa

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Answer 5

Nov 1, 2008 5:07 PM in response to akcorcoran

Yes, well, if you agreed to let Adobe spam you when you registered PSE, they regularly offer an upgrade to PS for $299 (if you're in the US).

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Answer 6

akcorcoran Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 1, 2008 10:11 PM in response to Barbara Brundage

I actually have an old photoshop (the original CS) so i'm at the $199 - with all the actions that would work on PS, do you think they'll work on CS4 out of the gate? That's all adobe offers right now, I think, since they've released it. probably could gather enough actions or take the time (sigh) to build them so I have exactly what I'm looking for.

Anyway, guess i was just looking for the good 'ol $15 - $25 Apple software download/plug in that does what I was hoping since it's such those easy drag-and-drop borders and frames are such a mainstay of all the other apple iLife programs.

Thx for your help -
Alexa

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Answer 7

Old Toad

Level 10

216,064 points

Nov 2, 2008 9:37 AM in response to akcorcoran

Try the Portraits and Prints demo. It's supposed to have a frame feature. Might work for you.

OT

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Answer 8

Nov 3, 2008 4:01 PM in response to akcorcoran

Go to atncentral.com and you'll find a boatload of actions for all sorts of things, for free.

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Answer 9

akcorcoran Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 3, 2008 4:04 PM in response to Barbara Brundage

Thanks - yes, I think it's the best suggestion. Unfortunately, I'm on PSE6 which can take actions but doesn't often recognize certain steps of them (esp the "Make" command) after I load them in. I think I"m going to upgrade to PS CS4 (although will all those actions work in the new version?) - can do so for $169 with a current offer and fact that it's an upgrade. that's about the cost of those frame packages and I get a *whole lot* more!

Thx - atncentral is an awesome resource for any PS user!

Alexa

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Answer 10

Nov 3, 2008 4:40 PM in response to akcorcoran

Okay, I'm confused. Before when I suggested upgrading you said you had PS CS. So why not use that in the meantime? I don't understand.

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Answer 11

akcorcoran Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 3, 2008 4:42 PM in response to Barbara Brundage

I do - for Windows. I can run with Bootcamp or Parallel but I'd rather not put anything Win I don't have to on my Mac, and for $169, it's probably a smarter investment. Sorry to confuse you!

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Answer 12

Old Toad

Level 10

216,064 points

Nov 3, 2008 7:20 PM in response to akcorcoran

I believe for a minimal fee you can convert your Windows license to a Mac license. It would surely be less than the $169 upgrade price for CS4. But then if you're looking for an excuse to upgrade to CS4 that's it. 🙂

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Answer 13

akcorcoran Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 3, 2008 7:42 PM in response to Old Toad

I tried the letter of destruction on my CS but they said since it's no longer offered, I couldn't but I could qualify for the lowest upgrade price. I think it's a pretty decent deal for CS4 - but, I may try again with Adobe. I get the worst customer service from them - and wildly inconsistent.

Ah, software - just when you get used to... upgrade!

Thanks -
Alexa

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Answer 14

Old Toad

Level 10

216,064 points

Nov 3, 2008 7:45 PM in response to akcorcoran

That's a bummer. 😟 But on the other hand CS4 has some absolutely terrific new features that is making me think twice about upgrading.

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Answer 15

Nov 4, 2008 9:12 PM in response to akcorcoran

No, what they told you is correct. The crossgrade itself only costs a few bucks, but since they would send you the latest mac version you need to pay the upgrade fee, but that should only be, what- $199?

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