This tutorial is my original work and may not be copied, placed on a CD, or posted on another site without my expressed written consent. Please do not send the tutorial itself through email. Do not link to any images or files on the site. If you have any questions or problems please feel free to email me.


Tutorial Date
12/29/02
(c)QuickCreations

Here's what you'll need:
An image to frame.
PhotoImpact: you can download a free trial of the program here: HERE

You'll need a basic knowledge of the program's tools, their location and functions.

*Please Note: This tutorial was written in PI version 7 but will work with PI 8 with minor adjustments which are noted in blue on the tutorial.

No two frames will turn out exactly alike, it will vary depending on your picture and the picture size.

**All screen shots have been reduced by 75% for faster loading time**


OK, let's get started:

1. Open your image. Select the eyedropper tool and pick a color from your image and set this as either your background or foreground color.

2. Go to FORMAT - EXPAND CANVAS - Make sure you have "Expand Sides Equally" checked, Expand by 5. For the color, pick a color that's not in your image (I used red when I was doing my image), this will make it easier to select the border.

3. Select the border with your magic wand with these settings:

Click on your new border. EDIT - FILL - and fill with the color you chose from your image. WEB - BUTTON DESIGNER - ANY SHAPE - and choose this preset:
Go to the shadow tab and change the shadow color to BLACK.

4. Right click on your image or on the layer manager and choose MERGE ALL.

5. Go to: FORMAT - EXPAND CANVAS - (same color you used before) EXPAND BY 25.

6. Select the border with the magic wand, EDIT - FILL - with your background color. Go to: EFFECT - CREATIVE - CREATIVE WARP. First, hit the reset button, then PATTERN #5, PATTERN #2 and PATTERN #5. Next go to: EFFECT - CREATIVE - PAINTING.
**PI 8 users: After you fill with your image color go to: EFFECT - ARTISTIC - CREATIVE WARP -First, hit the reset button, then PATTERN #5, PATTERN #2 and PATTERN #5. Next go to: EFFECT - ARTISTIC - PAINTING.
Creative Warp Screen Shot: Use these settings for painting: Then go to: EFFECT - BLUR & SHARPEN - EMPHASIZE EDGES - and choose the first preset option. Right click on the layer manager and MERGE ALL.

7. Go to FORMAT - EXPAND CANVAS - EXPAND BY 5, select your magic wand, click on your new border. EDIT - FILL - and fill with your image color. BUTTON DESIGNER - ANY SHAPE - and repeat the button designer, you'll have to change the shadow color to BLACK again.

8. Right click on your image or on the layer manager and choose MERGE ALL.

9. Now go to: FORMAT - EXPAND CANVAS - (same color you used before) EXPAND BY 30. Select your border with the magic wand and then go to: EDIT - FILL and fill with your image color. Next repeat the creative warp: EFFECT - CREATIVE- CREATIVE WARP, reset then PATTERN #5, PATTERN #2 AND PATTERN #5. Keep selected!
**PI 8 Users: Now go to: FORMAT - EXPAND CANVAS - (same color you used before) EXPAND BY 30. Select your border with the magic wand and then go to: EDIT - FILL and fill with your image color. Next repeat the creative warp: EFFECT - ARTISTIC - CREATIVE WARP -First, hit the reset button, then PATTERN #5, PATTERN #2 and PATTERN #5. Keep selected!

10. Select your eraser tool with these settings:
Erase everything but the four corners, show in the example below.
After you've erased everything but the four corners, click on your magic wand and select the solid portion of your border. Then go to: EFFECT - NOISE - ADD NOISE. Choose the last preset (bottom-right). On the layer manager, click on your top layer which will now be your corners. Repeat the noise. Right click and MERGE ALL.
**PI 8 Users: After you've erased everything but the four corners, click on the magic wand and select the solid portion of your border. Right click and MERGE ALL. Then go to: EFFECT - NOISE - ADD NOISE - and choose the last preset (bottom-right) Then right click and MERGE ALL again.

11. Go to FORMAT - EXPAND CANVAS - EXPAND BY 5, select your magic wand, click on your new border. EDIT - FILL - and fill with the color your chose from your image. WEB - BUTTON DESIGNER - ANY SHAPE - and repeat the button designer, you'll have to change the shadow color to BLACK again. Right click and MERGE ALL.

You're finished!!!
Doesn't that make a nice frame? Here's another example:
I hope you've enjoyed the tutorial :)