1. If the image is large enough on its own, meaning at least 400x400, you can simply use the Selection (lasso) tool.

Trace around part of the image to create the edge of the frame.

2. The marching ants should now be around the area you cutting out.

Click on Selection: Invert.

4. Go to the Layer Palette, right-click on the Background layer and Delete it. Your frame should now look like this.

5. I like to re-name this layer so I don't get confused. So still in the Layer Palette right-click on Promoted Selection: Properties:

Here I change the name from Promoted Selection to Base.

6. Now let's create some special effects to generate some depth. Click Image: Effects: Drop Shadow:

(Use the little magnifier glass with the negative sign on it to down-size the picture in order to see the effect of the shadow. You can also drag the image around within the tiny viewer window to check the results of your dropshadow.)

You can stop with this first drop shadow. Or, add a second drop shadow with these settings.

Heck for that matter, you might not like the shadow on top, and would prefer to use only the bottom shadow.

7. Ok take a breath, and let's now add a little more depth to the image. Image: Effects: Inner Bevel.

This is where you will want to play around with the Bevel in particular. Use the drop down and try different bevels until you find a combination you find pleasing. Seems like the bevel, smoothness and width make the most evident changes in the image.

8. Because the frame is still selected, any tubes or images that you apply to the frame at this point, will blend into the background. If an added image overhangs the edge of the frame it will be cut-off, with many frames this is a very pleasing effect.

9. However, for this frame, I want my added images to stand out and have that 3D look to them. So we will add them in layers. But before we do, I am a perfectionist and there are a couple of little gaps in the shadowing effect to clean up. See the 2 spots here?

So we will fix them now. We will now de-select our frame, click on Selection: Select none. The marching ants should dissappear.

10. Now with the Push tool,

we will fill in these areas.Set the tool palette to look like this,

now just drag a little of the shadowing to fill in the areas.

We will now add more interest to the frame by added some images. Many times you can go back to the original painting and cuttting out pieces to use. You can apply transparent gifs. Or you can also add tube images.

11. Put each image you add on it's own layer. That is the key. We will be working with the tubes you downloaded from the zip, so install them now. (To install tubes: open the tube image in PaintShop Pro, then click File: Export: Picture Tube.)

To continute, create a new layer, click Layers: New Raster Layer: OK. Remember, each image will need it's own layer so it can have an individual shadow effect.

small finch on left: Scale 36.- The drop shadow settings are: 50,0,-14,9

large finch: Scale (I somehow missed this scale, I think it was about 47) .- The drop shadow setting are 50,0,-11,4

finch on the ground: Scale 43.- The drop shadow settings are 50,0,7,-4

12. Once all your birds are in place, it's time to give the frame a nice finished edge. Beginning by clicking on the Base layer of your Layer Palette to make it active, then click Selections: Select All.

13. Again click Selections: Modify: Contract: 20 This is another area you may want to play with the size sometime a smaller or a larger amount makes the frame look more balanced.

Again, play with the bevel, width and smoothness and you will find all kinds of pleasing effects are available.

17. Now, right-click on any one of the layers in the Layer Palette: Merge: Merge visible.

Now to save your frame in the correct format to be able to use it with the wizard.

We will first need to create the ability to save your frame in .pfr format. You will only have set this up once. Thereafter, you will be able to create and save other frames without this next step.

18. Under File: Preferences: File Format Associations: highlight .psp, then click Extensions: Add: in the blank entry area type in pfr. Then click, ok.

19. Now to save your frame. Click File: Save As: Give it any name you like such as, 'Mayhill frame.pfr'. It is important that you finish the name by typing the .pfr extension. For the Save as type: use the dropdown to select Paint Shop Pro Image (*.psp,*.pfr). Now save your creation in the Frames folder of the Paint Shop Pro program.

This will make your new frame available to use on other images with one click. The wizard is under Image, Picture Frame.

This is my first Tutorial. Your feedback would be appreciated. So please take a moment to sign my Guestbook. And email me if revisions need to be made.