This tutorial will show you how to place your image behind an .PNG file and resize your image to fit within the frame.
Note: For the tutorial I will be using Pixlr, which is a free online photo editor. The steps may vary depending on the software/photo editor that you decide to use but the concept is pretty much the same.
*Click on the Screenshot Images for a more visible view.*
1. Go to
http://pixlr.com/editor/
2. Click "Open Image From Computer
3. Open your .PNG file. (For this tutorial I am using a 5by7 frame art saved as a .PNG file from my computer)
4. Your frame art should now be open and showing on your screen. Note: By default your frame art should be named "Layer 0" in the layers panel to the right.
Now you will need to open your image (The image you will placing in the frame)
5. Go to: File > Open Image and open your image
6. Your image should now be open and showing on your screen. (Your frame art should be behind your image at this point.)
Note: If you notice in the layers panel to the right, my image opened as a locked file. If this is the case for you, just double click the lock icon and your image should now be unlocked. Once your image has been unlocked it should automatically be named "Layer 0" by default.
Placing your image into the frame art
7. Now we will place your image on the same screen as the frame art. Go to: Edit > Select All (This will select your entire image and you should see black dotted lines around the image showing that the image has been selected.)
8. Go to: Edit > Copy (This will copy your image)
9. Now you will need to switch back to the frame art. Click on the frame art file in order to place that particular file on top of the image.
10. With your frame art file showing over top of the image file, Go to: Edit > Paste to paste your image over top of the frame art.
Note: Now that your frame art has been pasted onto the frame art file you should notice that the image layer has been named "Layer 1" by default, in the layers palette to the right.
11. Move the image (Layer 1) under the frame art layer (Layer 0) in the layers palette in order to place your image under the frame art. Note:Layer 0 should now be showing as the top layer)
12. Be sure you have the image layer highlighted. If not just click on the image layer (Layer 1) to highlight the layer. Now we will size our image in order for it to fit inside of the frame, Go to: Edit > Free Transform
13. Now that you have selected "Free Transform" you should notice a rectangle (box) will appear around your image. This is your free transform box. You will use this box to size your image without changing the proportions. Along the box is some blue squares, while holding your "shift" key move the arrow over the blue rectangle (along the free transform box) and drag the corner until your image is sized to your preference.
Note: You will need to move your image around with your mouse until its fits into the frame.
14. Now your image should be visible within your frame. Note: If you notice my image has been moved to fit within the frame compared to the previous screenshots (See screenshots for #13 of the tutorial)
15. Now you can save your frame art. Go to: File > Save (Be sure to exit out of your image file before saving your frame art) Don't forget to click "OK."
All Done!!
You can print your frame art & frame it inside of a 5x7 frame, create a scrapbook or photo album and more! The possibilities are Endless! Go ahead, Be Creative!
