Free Classic Frames

In Elements 5, there is a new palette, the Artwork and Effects palette. From it, one can apply frames, themes, styles, effects, backgrounds and graphics. You can add your own custom content to the palette. I have made a number of classic frames for you to use on your print creations. These simulate a classic sculpted wood frame with a small drop shadow. Scroll down the page to see several examples.Note that I have added oval versions of these frames; go to the bottom of the page to find them. [or click here] The oval frames are a separate download from the rectangular ones.

To add these frames to your Artwork and Effects palette, follow the instructions below:

[If (below) you don't see the Application Data folder within the All Users folder, go to the menu at the top of your screen and click on Tools > Folder Options > View (tab) > scroll to find Hidden Files and Folders, and click on the Show Hidden Files and Folders radio button. Click OK.]

Close Elements 5.
Go to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\5.0 and delete two files: one called MediaDatabase.db3, and the other called ThumbDatabase.db3.
[Please note: a number of people have emailed me to say that it is not necessary to delete these two files. My instructions are those provided by the Adobe team from beta-testing. Perhaps they changed something...In any event, feel free to try loading my material without deleting the two files listed above. If my stuff does not show up in your Artwork and Effects palette, close Elements, and delete the two files.]
Go here: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\5.0\Photo Creations\artwork\frames and put my free ClassicFrames folder (called ClassicFrames), the unzipped folder (not the zipped file) into the the “frames” folder.
Open Editor. It will take a minute or two for the Artwork and Effects palette database to rebuild. That is normal.
In the Artwork and Effects palette, click the Artwork button at the top of the palette. Then, from the menu on the left, find the Frames section. From the menu on the right, look for the “ClassicFrames” entry, which is my new content. Make a new layout or blank document and apply the frames. Add a picture to the frame and try out the different sizes (frame widths). There are four different colors in sizes 30, 40, 50, 60 and 80 px (width). There are a total of twenty classic frames, and all are horizontal. Use Fit Frame to Photo to make the frame conform to any picture.

Note that, after applying these frames, you can double-click on the style icon on the frame layer to open the Style Settings dialog. There you can change the stroke (frame) size to anything you like.

Download the zipped file here:
Classic Frames
139 kb

Let me know if you have any problems with getting things to work. It's really not hard at all.

I also have Free Geometric Backgrounds, Free Animal Backgrounds, FreeWoodcut Backgrounds, Free Graphics, Free Grunge Frames, Free Duotone Frames, Free Matted Frames, Free Whenever Diary Pages, Free Big Squares Calendars, and Free Calendar Pages available for download.

If you are a beginning user of Elements 5, you might like my .pdf book, Elementary School. It contains 112 tutorials for new users of Elements 5.

Older Tutorials
Quick Mask
Rubberstamping
More Adjustments
Sharpening
Filters
Color

Dark Brown, upper and lower corners

Dark Gray

Light Gray

Tan

Download the zipped file here:
Classic Frames
139 kb

I also have Free Geometric Backgrounds, Free Animal Backgrounds, Free Woodcut Backgrounds, Free Graphics, Free Grunge Frames, Free Duotone Frames, Free Matted Frames, Free Whenever Diary Pages, Free Big Squares Calendars, and Free Calendar Pages available for download.

If you are a beginning user of Elements 5, you might like my .pdf book, Elementary School. It contains 112 tutorials for new users of Elements 5.

Update: By request I have made oval versions of this frame. They come in all of the same color combinations as the rectangular ones shown above. To install them, follow the instructions at the top of this page, substituting the OvalClassic folder where the instructions say ClassicFrames.

Download the zipped OvalClassic frames file here:
Oval Classic
1.1 MB

detail of the top of the brown classic oval frame

detail of the bottom of the brown classic oval frame

Download the zipped OvalClassic frames file here:
Oval Classic
1.1 MB

I also have Free Geometric Backgrounds, Free Animal Backgrounds, Free Woodcut Backgrounds, Free Graphics, Free Grunge Frames, Free Duotone Frames, Free Matted Frames, Free Big Squares Calendars, and Free Calendar Pages available for download.

If you are a beginning user of Elements 5, you might like my .pdf book, Elementary School. It contains 112 tutorials for new users of Elements 5.

Copyright © 2006 by Jay Arraich.
All rights reserved.
All photographs copyright ©2006 by Jay Arraich
jay@arraich.com