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This is the fourth part of a four part review of the products that are included in the onOne Plug-In Suite 3. This review is on the product PhotoFrame Pro 3.1. Parts One, Two and Three are available here on Blogcritics Magazine.
PhotoFrame Pro 3.1 is the latest version of the plug-in from onOne Software that lets you create image frames and border effects to your images. Version 3.1 adds native support for Photoshop CS3 and Intel-based Macintosh computers as well.
PhotoFrame Pro 3.1 requires you to have Windows running XP SP2 or Vista or Mac OS X 10.4.4 or later. You will need Photoshop CS2 (v9.0.2), CS3, or Photoshop Elements 4 or later. Also you must have at least 512MB of RAM and 2.4 GB of hard-disk space. Installation is very easy and all automatic.
This one is pretty easy to explain, PhotoFrame Pro 3.1 puts frames around your images. It is really easy to use as well. First you select the image. Then you open the plug-in from the filter, or the onOne menu. You then select the frame that you want to use, create your own frame, or import a frame from another source. When you are happy with it, you can place it on your image or on another layer.
PhotoFrame Pro 3.1, when launched, looks like the photo below. Your main image is in the center; to the left is the set of frames, textures and grids and to the right are the palettes that you can use to modify the frame.
There are over 4600 frames that come with PhotoFrame Pro 3.1 as well as 96 textures. Add to that the fact that you can edge, bevel, manipulate backgrounds, borders, glows and shadows; you have a virtual unlimited supply of effects that you can give your image.
If you are unsure about what frame looks best there is a frame grid that allows you to select several frame choices and view them on a grid like page. You have full control over the size of the thumbnails so as to be able to discern the slightest differences between two similar frames.
Other features include a Random frames generator that will generate 3 to 5 randomly configured frames to view your image with. You can apply your frames as a Layer Mask leaving your background image alone which also allows you to employ further filters as well.
You have the ability to resize, reposition, and rotate your frames. You can invert the backgrounds to add more effects. You can import frames that you already own such as those from Auto F/X Photo/Graphic Edges volumes. You can create a custom frame from a basic shape as well as saving a custom frame as a preset.
My first thought before working with PhotoFrame Pro 3.1 was that it would be of limited use. I mean a frame is a frame is a frame. I couldn't be more wrong. This has some remarkable capabilities especially for those who are creating fine art, portraitures, or design presentations. If you have the need to add framing around your images then PhotoFrame Pro will give you unlimited possibilities
