Photoshop Frames in Depth + TIPS

Photoshop Frames and 5 tips

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Frames are an amazing new feature that allow us to make picture in picture, thumbnails and collages in Photoshop. In the past, we had to create clipping groups to do this. It got complex very quickly and very confusing to change things later. Now with Frames in Photoshop CC 2019, its really easy. There are a lot of things that frames can do and I’ll share them with you in this tutorial.

Frame Tool

If you have ever had to create things like thumbnails, you will love this feature. (I will add to this written section)

Here is what it replaces: You would create a rectangle. Drop in a photo. Create a clipping group to add the photo to the rectangle and then resize and reposition the photo.

Now you just grab the frame tool (rectangle or oval) and draw on the canvas. Now you can drag a photo from the library, or a different layer and it will go into the shape and resize to fit. Here are a few tips:

Double click with frame tool to toggle between selecting the photo and selecting the frame.
To replace with a new photo, drag in a new one and it will replace existing image.
This is big: Right click in the layers panel to convert and text or shape to a frame, custom shapes!!

Four empty placeholder frames in a row in Photoshop CC 2019, made with the Frame tool

Band photos of singers, a guitarist and a drummer dropped into the Photoshop frames

Also check out

PHOTOSHOP CC 2019 NEW FEATURE TUTORIALS

Thanks

Colin

Photoshop and Lightroom app icons with the PhotoshopCAFE logo

More CC New Feature tuts

► Lightroom New Features tour and tutorial
► All new features in Photoshop CC 2019.

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14 comments

Gary October 22, 2018

usually I will wait a bit to update the latest version.

Reply
Shane Smith October 24, 2018

Usually, wait due to font management. Suitcase has a new version but I haven’t purchased it yet.

Reply
Trevor McKinnon October 24, 2018

I also found that you can drag straight from your Lightroom grid view into a frame thats cool !

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Hans Schmidt October 24, 2018

I update immediately

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Thomas Lawrence Jr. October 24, 2018

FRAME TOOL

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Dennis October 24, 2018

Hey Colin,
I usually wait until I see how all the new features work and if they are of interest to me and my workflow. So far all the Photoshop updates have had usable new features for me! I really like the new Undo and the Frames so far!

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federico platon hernandez October 25, 2018

My favourite new feature are these Frames, and I updated to PScc 2019 Inmediately

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PETER KEVERNE October 25, 2018

I usually wait – to get info regarding how other people are managing to download with out losing their existing software. I have read that not every one is having success even though they have pressed the correct button.

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Dennis Baker October 25, 2018

Colin, That was a great tutorial! I am super excited about the new Frames tool. It is my favorite new feature in Photoshop CC 2019. I am also very pleased to see that the Free Transform tool now locks the aspect ratio–by default, and that you can preview the Blend Modes by simply hovering your cursor over the BM. Those are both very logical, intuitive moves.
I usually update immediately; eager to try the enhancements.

Reply
Jim Barber October 25, 2018

I make multi face composites for college classes. I think the new frames feature is going to make creating a template with 15 (or whatever number) of ovals a snap. If I want each face to be in a 2.5″ x 3″ oval, how do I make the “frame” tool create a series of 2.5″ x 3″ ovals?

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Jean Moore November 13, 2018

Gosh, Colin. You are an absolute GENIUS and so sweet to share these profound tips. I’ll use all these frame tips in preparing my photo book.
Thank you Thank you Thank you. xxoxoxo

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