How to use the FRAME EFFECT in Corel Photo-Paint (versions 9+).

by David Mutch, © January, 2003

Part B. Multiple Frames on a single object background image.

In this section we will look at using the simultaneous use of multiple FRAME files on a flat image.

The Frame Effects dialogue box allows us to load numerous frame files at the same time, set up separate moficiations for each of them and to specify how each frame interacts with the others. The results are very different from those obtained if we were to repeatedly apply different Frame Effects to the same image. Photo-Paint allows us to apply many Frame effects all at the same time!

 

1. Open up your original photo again,

and then reopen the Frame effect dialogue box (Effects > Creative > Frame).

Click the Reset button on the dialogue box to reset all the settings.

The Square_1.cpt frame should be loaded into position one of the list of frames.

 

2. Load a second frame file

either by clicking on the File Open icon on the second (blank) line in the frames list, or by double-clicking anywhere on the blank line for the second frame file. The Load Frame File box opens.

Make sure the Preview checkbox is checked, then click through the file choices to see the different frames available.

Look in the CDROM locations (listed here) as well, or in the folders you may have copied from the CDROM to your HDD.

The CDROM Frames locations contain 77 frame files in 5 different categories!

If you wish to you can copy the contents of these CDROM folders to the location on your HDD for easy use, or use them directly from the CDROM. There are some really superb frame files on the CD-ROMS - definitely worth a hard look. We will have a look at some of these more elaborate and wonderful frames later.

For the exercise here, load the square_3.cpt frame.

Here are the results of the default effects for each of our simple frames so far: (Fig 5 ).

Fig 5.

 

 

 

Now lets make some modifications.

Unfortunately this is where we uncover the version 10 BUG I mentioned earlier. If you are using version 10, read through the steps and then read the work-around solution shown later. The steps should work perfectly for versions 9 and 11.

 

3. Modifications.

First, make sure that the 'eye' visibility icons for both loaded frames are turned on.

Select the square_1 frame from the list by clicking on it, then click the Modify Tab.

Change the colour to red and change the blend mode to MULTIPLY.

With the Preview button depressed, your live preview look like Figure 6: a large black outer frame of small rings from the square_3 frame with a thin red inner frame of 'slashes' from the square_1 frame.

Do NOT press the OK button yet as we need to make some more changes first.

Now click back on the Select Tab and select the square_3 frame, then click on the Modify tab.

Make the following changes to the square_3 frame:

colour = cyan
blur/feather = 2
blend = multiply
horizontal scale = 120
vertical scale = 110

Click OK.

The result should appear as in Fig 7.

Fig 7.

 

Nice isn't it, and yet we are only beginning to use the power of Frames.

 

4. Version 10 Problems.

Now, for version 10 users, you will have discovered that you could not complete the exercise in steps 4 and 5 because Photo-Paint would not retain the settings for the first frame when you changed the second. This is the Frame effect BUG in Photo-Paint 10!

Photo-Paint 10 will only allow you to make modifications to the first (topmost) frame in the list. Also, the dialogue box does not update correctly to changes when you switch selection between different frame files.

Here's how to fix the problem:

- First, select the uppermost frame in the list (square_1) and render the second, lower frame invisible by clicking its eye visibility icon.
- Make the changes to the Modify tab section for the uppermost frame.
- Click back on the Select tab.
- Now click and drag the lower frame FILENAME and drop it onto the top of the list. Click on both names to see that the order has now changed.
- Make the top frame (now square_3) visible and the lower frame invisible.
- Click back on the Modify tab. All the settings were as set for square_1 frame. DON'T believe what you see as you haven't changed the settings for the square_3 frame yet - it should still be black in colour, not red as displayed.
- Make the changes as described for the square_3 frame.
- Return to the select tab and reposition the frames into their correct order, then make both of them visible.

It may take a little practice and patience to get it working correctly in version 10. The lack of update in the Modify tab for each frame can get very confusing and the settings displayed are NOT the settings you made for each frame - just the last set that were entered into this tab regardless of which frame is selected. Unfortunately and sadly Corel will not be fixing this problem as they are way past working on version 10 now.

 

5. Alternatives Settings.

Try using other frames with alternative settings. Here are some more examples. These are all made using ONLY frames and no other effects or adjustments except for resampling (down) and a little sharpening for this web page.

Fig 8. Fig 9
   
Fig 10.

 

Like all other effects in Photo-Paint, you can apply separate Frame effects sequentially simply by repeating the effect but using different frames and settings.This method gives results different from those you get when applying multiple frames at the same time.

It may be a good idea to make sure you have adequate UNDO levels set first though (Tools > Options > Memory > Undo) in case you wish to change you mind while performing multiple repeated effects.

Great! You have now finished Part B of the tutorial.

In Part C you will learn how to Apply the Frames Effect to separate floating objects.

 


Fun With Photos #2
Intro Simple Borders Frame Effects Multi Photo Picture Frames
Series Intro

Kodaks

Polaroids Intro, Single Frame, background object Multi frame, background object Frames with floating objects Create your own Frame Photo Displays Basic Picture Frame Enhanced Picture Frame

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