2 Replies Latest reply: Sep 14, 2010 12:03 PM by JJMack RSS

    How To:  Frame in a Transparent Document

    EckleySP Community Member

      I'm not sure this is the place to ask a How To question.  If not, please pardon the space I am using.

       

      I want to create a frame (with a drop shadow) on a transparent canvas, and have the inside of the frame transparent as well.  I can create a New document that is transparent, but the only way I see to put a 'frame' on it is to draw the 4 sides (4 rectangles).  This does not work very well when you add drop shadows to the two sides that require them.

       

      I will then import this into Premiere Pro and place a vdeo clip behind the Photoshop document, framing the clip inside the 'frame'.

       

      Is there an easy way to put just a frame in a transparent 'document'?

       

      I am using Photoshop CS5

        • 1. Re: How To:  Frame in a Transparent Document
          Mike Gondek2 Community Member
          1. Make a new document, choose transparent for background col, and the appropriate video preset..
          2. Switch to the rectangle tool and draw your frame as a shape layer
          3. Change the fill to 0% in the layers palette
          4. Choose Layer >> Layer Style >> Stroke (make the stroke as thick as you need
          5. Check the Drop Shadow box

          The only problem you may have is the strokes in photoshop have rounded corners(once larger than 1 pixel), and you cannot avoid this with the stroke layer style. I have been trying for many adobe beta's to get this changed.

           

          You can though get around this by drawing your outer shape layer rectangle, then switch your mode to subtract (the third icon in the middle of the bar of 5 icons), then draw the inner frame to subtract. You will not need a stroke layer style and leave your fill to 100% opacity in this  option.

          • 2. Re: How To:  Frame in a Transparent Document
            JJMack Community Member

            I created a new transparent document 800px by 600px at 300dpi.  I played my Mitered Frame 365 px action and chose a gold pattern. The I increase the default drop shadow size so you could see it better then I added canvas size 1" in with and height to add 1/2 all around the frame. I saved it as a png file. You may need to download it or view it in a new tab to see the transparency. My Photoshop downloads can be found here

            http://www.mouseprints.net/Photoshop.htmlFrame.png