How to make recessed overlapping indented lines' frames

[pontiac1940]

Jan 12, 2023 18:45:50 GMT hmca said:

I think that was because I had each rectangle on their own layer,

Yes, I did as well. But the top rectangle layer obscured the lines on the rectangle layer below. I was unable to figure a way to makes the hidden stroke lines show through.  

[hmca]

Clive....don't like this but hope it lets you see the way the lines of the rectangles all are visible.

[Sepiana]

Jan 12, 2023 19:44:00 GMT pontiac1940 said:

But the top rectangle layer obscured the lines on the rectangle layer below. I was unable to figure a way to makes the hidden stroke lines show through.

Clive, 

I got all the stroke lines to show through. I used the Edit>Stroke (Outline) Selection command.

Place the stroke on its own layer; it will give you more flexibility in editing. You can change its color, width; apply a layer style, texture, etc. 

[cats4jan]

The secret is keeping your outlines/frames each on its own layer. If they are on their own layers, each can be recolored, resized, and moved to get the look you want.

I very often use this simple technique when a heavy frame will just be too much for my page.

[pontiac1940]

Jan 12, 2023 20:22:11 GMT Sepiana said:

Place the stroke on its own layer; it will give you more flexibility in editing.

Thanks. 
This is actually something I would not use but I was not aware I could create strokes in their own layers. Good to know. I will give it a try. 
Thanks,
Clive 
 

[Sepiana]

Jan 12, 2023 21:24:55 GMT pontiac1940 said:

Jan 12, 2023 20:22:11 GMT Sepiana said:

Place the stroke on its own layer; it will give you more flexibility in editing.

I was not aware I could create strokes in their own layers. Good to know. I will give it a try. 

To make it work, . . .

1. Create a new blank layer for the stroke.
2. Activate the selection layer you want to apply the stroke to. 
3. Ctrl-click on this layer thumbnail, not on the layer name. This will load it as a selection. You will marching ants around it.
4. Activate the layer you created for the stroke.
5. Apply the stroke.

NOTE:

If you are applying the stroke around your entire image, just do Ctrl/Cmmd-A. This tells Elements to select the entire image.

[Jim]

Jan 12, 2023 15:41:05 GMT hmca said:

From your description, this is what I came up with.

Thanks Helen.

Yes, the way you show all 8 crossing lines is what I was after so I will try to practice using the steps in your screen shot.

To be more specific, examples of what I had in mind are a couple of line-framed images like the two on Magnolia textures site in their "Powder Clipping Mask" set (the lady in the red scarf and the single line frame image of the lady wearing glasses). I wasn't sure if it was ethical to C&P their photos here but since they are selling that entire clipping mask set, posting a link should be okay.

magnoliatextures.com/product/powder-clipping-mask-set/

[Jim]

Jan 12, 2023 19:37:20 GMT Tpgettys said:

I am curious what you meant by "recessed or indented".

Thanks Tom. I wasn't sure how to describe exactly what I wanted so used those words. If you click the link in my post above this, it has a coupe of good examples.

[Jim]

Thank you to everyone who responded. It's nice to be able to get solid advice from so many creative and accomplished people that are members here.

[hmca]

Jim

Thanks for the link, that really helped. I have tried the look with an image from StockSolo.
I will post my results. I think you will be able to do this and if you run into a problem I'm sure someone will be able to help.
To create your frames, use the rectangular marquee tool to draw out the frame.  With the marching ants still active, create a new blank layer above and add your stroke.
Go back to your image to draw out the second frame, again with the ants still active create a new blank layer above the image and add your stroke.
I have some  masks that I purchased on Etsy.  I inverted them to white and added a few powder brush layers at a low opacity. 
Free powder brushes are available at brusheezy


  

[Jim]

Jan 13, 2023 2:05:30 GMT hmca said:

Thanks for the link, that really helped. I have tried the look with an image from StockSolo.

That's exactly the type of framing I was looking for, Helen. I haven't worked much with brushes and clipping masks before so have my work cut out for me in trying to figure all this out.
You did great on your image. Thanks for your responses.

[Tpgettys]

Jan 13, 2023 0:59:33 GMT Jim said:

Thanks Tom. I wasn't sure how to describe exactly what I wanted so used those words. If you click the link in my post above this, it has a coupe of good examples.

Got it!  The link helped a lot.

[cats4jan]

Possibilities are endless...

One outline - duplicated
One of the two is then offset
Both outlines are moved into place
Left and bottom lines are erased

Shadow layer style added


All background 'papers' are just solid colored blocks with brushing in just a slightly darker color

On the tan one, I held down the shift key while brushing to get straight lines

[Jim]

My latest try. Kitten from upsplash. Powder brush by brusheezy (thanks Helen).

[hmca]

You did a really nice job with the powder brushes, Jim.