Playing with framing

As already mentioned, eZediaMX has a hidden treasure trove of extras you might forget to explore. In the program folder is another folder called Resources. Within that is another folder called Transparency Wells. Open the Borders well to create the effect in the two picture frames shown on this page.

With the Transparency Wells and the tools in eZediaMX, many of the effects you would have to create in photo programs are available to you in the eZedia environment. You'll see a couple of examples on this page.

Keep in mind that when you add everything to the background of the document frame, you cannot undo it. ALWAYS keep copies of the resources you're using.

What next?
When you're all done your photo framing experiments, you can use them in a number of different ways:

• export the background which will send it out as a jpeg image to be used in other programs or on web pages
• take the exported image and using your printer options, print it in the reverse on transfer paper with a color ink jet printer and iron it on to whatever you want!
• use the larger document frame size to create color signs for your door
• use the framed photo project as the introduction to a portfolio - just add a title
• have each student in the class create a one-frame project where they create their own page in a class book that introduces the students to each other. The best part is to have students do the interviewing and then the partner will create the text portion describing interests and/or hobbies of the other student. Wouldn't this be great to run outside the classroom on parents' night when people are waiting to meet with you? This would be an opportunity to have parents meet the other students in class.
• speaking of parents' night, you could also do up an electronic book of the teachers in the school and have that available on a computer as community members enter the school
• and the list goes on!!
  

Small frame project

1. Bring in your image and add to the background. If you are going to use a small picture like I did in this first project, then tuck it into the top, left-hand corner so you can pull in the other sides of the document afterwards to make a nice tight shot.

2. Open the Resources folder in the eZediaMX folder and locate the Transparency Wells. From that folder, open up Borders.

3. Experiment with the border effects. Click, hold, and drag the border frames out of the well and add them to your picture. You'll have to resize them by dragging on the handles you'll see to make it small enough to fit around your picture. Delete the ones you don't want. When you think you have the effect you're looking for, add them to the background.

4. For a small video clip demonstrating what I'm talking about, click here and download a zipped/compressed file.

Small picture frame with everything added to the background and the document window wrapped tightly around the photo:

I am just playing around in this next example with putting a photo in the background, adding a transparency out of the well, and then taking the same picture setup as above and putting that in the corner. Notice the difference in the detail when the exact same photo with borders is put against a full-color background versus plain white. When you're experimenting with the transparencies, you might find that you need to move the layers around, changing the order. To do that, select the layer you want and then click on Objects > Layers > and then choose the appropriate option. If you make a mistake or don't like the effect, repeat the process, shuffling the layers until you get what you want. It will only take a couple of minutes.   For a 1.5 mb video clip demonstrating what I'm talking about, click here and download a zipped/compressed file.

More examples are coming.