The new Frame Tool explained

1 Drag a frame

The Frame tool can be found in the Photoshop toolbar (grab the rectangle icon with a cross or hit K). First highlight the layer you’d like to add a frame to, then choose from a circle or rectangle in the tool options at the top and drag out the frame over your canvas.

4 Place images

By default the frame tool applies a frame to the currently selected layer. But if you like you can drag and drop images from other applications, such as Lightroom or Bridge, into a frame. Alternatively, you can use File > Place Embedded to choose any on-file image.

2 Adjust the position

The layer will be confined to the shape of the new frame. You can drag inside the frame to change its position, or hit Cmd/Ctrl+T to transform and resize it. By contrast, clicking on the edge of the frame enables you to edit the size of the frame rather than the image within.

5 Make custom frames

You can create your own frames using any shape layer, path or type layer. First define the shape, then go to Layer > New > Convert to frame. Once done you can drop in an image of your choice (see tip 4); however, you won’t be able to edit the shape of the frame.

3 Edit the frame

A new frame thumbnail will appear on the layer in the Layers Panel. You can highlight either thumbnail to edit them independently. Or double- clicking within the frame will toggle between the option to either drag the image inside, or move both the image and its frame.

6 A better option?

An alternative to the Frame tool is Clipping Masks, which are arguably superior as the shape – in this case, the text – remains editable. To add a clipping mask, Alt- click the line between two layers. The upper layer will be confined to the shape of the layer below.