This is lesson #6 named "Frames, Resizing and Canvas Size" We talked about Layers in our last lesson, I just want to express to you all the importance of using layers, the more you use them the more you will understand the reasons for them.

In this lesson we will start with frames, we did some things with borders last time, Frames are different. Frames look like regular picture frames we use at home, to frame our favorite works of art, family photos, memorabilia, etc. Frames are like Tubes, they are on a transparent background and used to enhance our images. Lets take a favorite image or you can use this image and open it in PSP, copy the image (Shift + D), close the original. Then go to IMAGE / PICTURE FRAMES a new window will open, PSP provides some frames for you when you install the software. Choose one from the drop down menu next to the thumbnail.

You can see how your picture will look inside the frame in the thumbnail on the right under the Title Orientation. Click ok. You now have a great frame around your picture.

Very nice, huh? We can also put a mat around the picture before we frame it. Go to EDIT / UNDO PICTURE FRAME this will give us the image again without the frame, (the best part of PSP is the number of un-dos it allows, in my opinion).

Ok now lets go to IMAGE / ADD BORDERS (yes, we have used this before for our tags). Click inside the color box and choose a color to coordinate with our chosen picture. Making sure that the symmetric box is checked change one side to 10, this will automatically change all sides to 10. Now Click OK. Your picture should now look similar to this.

This will be our matting, next go back to IMAGE / PICTURE FRAME once you have the frame window open make sure that you check the button called "Frame Outside of the Image"

Very nice, but I like a double mat, don't you? Ok, lets, go back and remove the picture frame. Go to EDIT / UNDO PICTURE FRAME. This removes the outer frame. We can add another border, choosing a different color from our image. Click OK and add the frame again. You should now have something like this.

It doesn't look quite right yet, we need a drop shadow between each mat color. Making sure that we are on the right layer, select the layer of your last border. Using the Magic Wand Tool from our Tool Bar

, Click inside the outer border, just the outer border should be selected, (marching ants around it). Go to EFFECTS / 3D EFFECTS / DROP SHADOW and use the settings as below.

Now what if you would like to make this image smaller or larger. Very easy, Go to IMAGE / RESIZE when the new window opens take a look at some of the options at the bottom of the page. See the box that says "Resample Using"? There is a drop down menu next to it, click on that menu and see the options we are given.

I use Bicubic for most things but you should try each to see what effect it has on your image. You may decide that you like to use one of the other choices more. That is fine it is a matter of personal choice. You can also see that there is a box you check to have all layers resized, if you are using layers, like I hope you are, you need to have this box checked.

Resizing can be done by percentage or by pixel size according to your needs. Again this will be something you will have to decide and work with when you are making your own images. Resizing can be done both ways, either making it larger or smaller according to what you need. Just remember when making an image larger in percentage you need to start over 100% and when making it smaller you need to start under 100%.

The last thing we want to look at is the Canvas Size option. Let's start again with the original image, copy it again (Shift + D) then close the original again. Go to IMAGE / CANVAS SIZE this will add more space around our image, if you check the "Lock Aspect Ratio" box then the program will add space around the image in a symmetrical manner. If you want to add just a little more space to say the bottom of the image, maybe to add a title or note on the bottom, uncheck the "Lock Aspect Ratio" and change all four sides. You will need to adjust the Image Dimensions to allow for this change. Let's try that now

As you can see I have chosen a color to match the background, and added just 60 pixels to the bottom. And this is what I end up with.

Now I can add my name or a tube or whatever else I wish to add. Let's undo that. And this time I want you to try a symmetric canvas around the image. Make sure that the "Lock Aspect Ratio" button is checked. Then change the numbers or use the direction arrows to move around, give it a try. Play around with it and get yourself used to what you can do with it.