How to use the Frame Tool in Photoshop CC 2019

Place Images into Shapes with the New Frame Tool in Photoshop CC 2019

The Frame Tool, a new feature in Photoshop CC 2019, makes it piece of cake to place images into shapes! Learn how to describe shapes with the Frame Tool, how to place images into your shapes, how to instantly swap images with other images, and more!

Photoshop CC 2019 introduces a brand new tool to Photoshop'southward Toolbar known as the Frame Tool. The Frame Tool is designed to make placing images into shapes both unproblematic and intuitive, particularly for users who are new to Photoshop. It'due south great for designing layouts, and in fact, if you've used a page layout program like Adobe InDesign, then y'all're already familiar with how the Frame Tool works. Y'all just elevate out a frame where you lot want to identify an image on the page (or in this example, in your Photoshop document), and and then elevate your prototype into the frame!

To be fair, Photoshop'southward new Frame Tool is non necessarily the all-time fashion to piece of work. That's because anything y'all can practise with the Frame Tool tin can too exist washed using Photoshop's more flexible clipping masks. But the Frame Tool is easier, particularly if you're new to Photoshop. And, the Frame Tool takes total reward of Photoshop's powerful smart objects. So even if you're a more experienced Photoshop user, the Frame Tool all the same has something to offer. Let'south see how it works.

To follow forth, y'all'll need Photoshop CC. And if you're already an Adobe Creative Cloud subscriber, make sure that your copy of Photoshop CC is up to appointment. Let'south get started!

How to utilise the Frame Tool in Photoshop CC 2019

Using the new Frame Tool in Photoshop CC 2019 to place images into shapes is like shooting fish in a barrel. We just select the Frame Tool, describe a frame, drag an image into the frame, and and so move or resize the image within the frame. Yous tin add a stroke effectually the frame to help with your pattern, and even swap the existing epitome with a new image just by dragging and dropping the new epitome into the frame.

To evidence you how it works, I've gone alee and created a new certificate:

A new document open in Photoshop CC 2019

A new document in Photoshop CC 2019.

Stride 1: Select the Frame Tool

Photoshop's new Frame Tool is found in the Toolbar. Information technology's the tool that looks similar a box with an X through information technology. Click on information technology to select it. You lot can also select the Frame Tool from your keyboard by pressing the letter K:

Selecting the Frame Tool from the Toolbar in Photoshop CC 2019

Selecting the Frame Tool from the Toolbar.

Pace 2: Choose a shape for your frame from the Options Bar

With the Frame Tool selected, choose a shape for your frame from the Options Bar. By default, you'll describe a rectangular frame, just y'all tin can as well describe elliptical frames. Select the shape you lot need past clicking on its icon. I'll stick with the rectangular shape for at present:

The Shape options (rectangular or elliptical) for the Frame Tool in Photoshop CC 2019

Choose a shape (rectangular or elliptical) for the frame.

Pace iii: Draw a frame where y'all want to place an image

So, elevate out a frame where you lot want to place an paradigm inside your document:

Drawing a rectangular frame with the Frame Tool in Photoshop CC 2019

Click and drag to draw your frame.

Using modifier keys with the Frame Tool

To reposition the frame every bit you lot're drawing information technology, press and hold your spacebar, drag the frame into position, and then release your spacebar to go along drawing the frame. To force a rectangular frame into a perfect foursquare, hold your Shift key every bit y'all elevate. Or if you're drawing an elliptical frame, hold Shift to force it into a perfect circle:

How to draw square or circle frames with the Frame Tool in Photoshop CC 2019

Hold Shift to force rectangular frames into squares or elliptical frames into circles.

In my case, I'll describe a broad frame in the upper one-half of the document:

How to draw frames with the Frame Tool in Photoshop CC 2019

Cartoon a rectangular frame where I desire to place an image.

Release your mouse push button, and the frame appears. The frame is a container for an image. But since the frame has no content yet, it starts out empty:

An empty frame has been added to the document in Photoshop CC 2019

An empty frame has been added to the document.

The new Frame layer in the Layers panel

If we look in the Layers panel, we see that Photoshop added the frame on its ain split up Frame layer, which is also new in CC 2019. The thumbnail on the left represents the frame itself (indicated past the small frame icon in the lower right). And the thumbnail on the right is for the content inside the frame. Since at that place is no content still, the thumbnail is but filled with white:

The new Frame layer in the Layers panel in Photoshop CC 2019

The icon in the lower right tells us it'southward a Frame layer.

Step 4: Place an image into the frame

To place an image into the frame, become up to the File card in the Menu Bar and cull Place Embedded. Or yous can choose Identify Linked. The difference is that Place Embedded will embed the prototype into your document, while Place Linked will only link to the epitome on your figurer. In most cases, Place Embedded is the better choice:

Choosing the Place Embedded command from the File menu in Photoshop

Going to File > Place Embedded.

Then navigate to the image on your estimator, select it, and click Place:

Selecting the image to place inside the frame in Photoshop CC 2019

Selecting the image to place inside the frame.

Photoshop places the image into the frame. And it automatically resizes the image to match the frame's size (photo from Adobe Stock):

How to place images into frames with Photoshop CC 2019

The image is placed and resized in the frame. Photo credit: Adobe Stock.

Placing the image every bit a smart object

If we look again at the Frame layer in the Layers panel, we see the content of the frame at present appearing in the thumbnail on the right. Also, find the smart object icon in the lower right of the thumbnail, telling united states that Photoshop has automatically converted the image into a smart object.

If you're new to Photoshop, this may not mean much to you, just smart objects are a good thing. It means nosotros can resize the image within the frame without losing quality. And, we can easily replace the epitome with another one, every bit we'll see how to do in a few moments:

The Frame layer in the Layers panel showing the content of the frame added as a smart object

The Frame layer showing the content added every bit a smart object.

How to switch between the frame and the image

At present that we've placed an image into the frame, let'south wait at how to switch between the frame and its contents.

From the Layers panel

One mode to switch betwixt the frame and the image is from the Layers panel. Notice the white border around the content's thumbnail. This tells usa that the paradigm inside the frame is selected:

The border around the contents thumbnail tells us the image is currently selected in the frame

The border tells us which one (the frame or the image) is selected.

Selecting the frame

To select the frame itself, click on the frame'due south thumbnail on the left:

Selecting the frame's thumbnail in the Frame layer

Selecting the frame by clicking the left thumbnail.

Along with the border around the thumbnail, another way to tell that the frame is selected is that we tin can see the transform handles around the frame in the certificate. Nosotros use the handles to resize the frame, and we'll come back to them shortly:

Transform handles appear around the frame when it is selected

The transform handles hateful that the frame is selected.

Selecting the image

To switch back to the image, click the thumbnail on the right:

Selecting the image by clicking the right thumbnail on the Frame layer

Selecting the epitome by clicking the right thumbnail.

And with the image selected, the transform handles around the frame disappear:

The frame's transform handles disappear when the image inside it is selected

The frame'due south transform handles are gone.

Selecting both the frame and the image

To select both the frame and the paradigm at the aforementioned time, press and hold your Shift key and click on the 1 that'south not currently selected. The white border appears around both thumbnails:

How to select both the frame and the image on the Frame layer in Photoshop CC 2019

Shift-click on the other thumbnail to select them both at once.

Deselecting the frame or the image

And so to switch back to having just the frame or the prototype selected, click on the ane you demand. I'll reselect the frame, and this deselects the image:

Selecting the frame and deselecting the image on the Frame layer.

When both are selected, click on a thumbnail to deselect the other 1.

From the document

Some other manner to switch between the frame and its contents is from the document.

Selecting the prototype

To select the image, simply click on it inside the frame. Notice the outline around the image, and that information technology includes the parts of the image that are hidden because they extend across the frame's boundaries:

Clicking on the image inside the frame to select it in Photoshop CC 2019

Clicking on the paradigm to select it.

Selecting the frame

To select the frame, click directly on the frame'due south outline. The transform handles reappear:

Clicking on the frame to select it in Photoshop CC 2019

Clicking on the frame to select it.

Selecting the frame and the image

And to select both the frame and the image, double-click on the image. The outline around the image disappears and y'all'll see only the outline around the frame:

How to select both the frame and its contents at once in Photoshop CC 2019

Double-clicking on the image to select both the frame and the image at once.

With both the frame and the image selected, you lot tin can click and drag both of them together inside the document:

Clicking on the frame to select it in Photoshop CC 2019

Click and drag the frame and the image when both are selected.

How to undo a step with the Frame Tool

I'll undo that past going up to the Edit bill of fare and choosing Undo Move. Photoshop gives us multiple undos with the Frame Tool. To movement backwards through your steps, press Ctrl+Z (Win) / Command+Z (Mac) repeatedly. And to redo a stride, press Shift+Ctrl+Z (Win) / Shift+Command+Z (Mac):

How to undo steps with the Frame Tool in Photoshop CC 2019

Undoing the final step with the Frame Tool.

Deselecting the frame when both are selected

Finally, when you accept both the frame and the image selected, y'all can switch back to selecting only the image by once again double-clicking on it. Then, when the image or the frame is selected, double-clicking on the image volition select them both. And when they're both selected, double-clicking will select only the epitome:

Double-clicking again to select only the image with the Frame Tool

Double-clicking again to select only the image.

How to movement and resize the frame's contents

So now that nosotros know how to select and switch between the frame and its contents, let'due south learn how to move and resize the image inside the frame.

How to move the paradigm in the frame

To motility the prototype, just click and drag it. But the expanse inside the frame remains visible:

How to move and reposition the image inside the frame with the Frame Tool in Photoshop CC 2019

Click and drag to reposition the image inside the frame.

How to resize the image in the frame

To resize the image, we don't use the Frame Tool direct. Instead, we use Photoshop'southward Free Transform command. Become upwardly to the Edit carte and choose Free Transform:

Selecting the Free Transform command in Photoshop CC 2019

Going to Edit > Complimentary Transform.

Then, drag the handles to resize the image. In Photoshop CC 2019, Free Transform automatically locks the attribute ratio, so there's no demand to hold Shift every bit you drag. But if you lot want to resize the image from its centre, press and hold Alt (Win) / Option (Mac). When you're done, press Enter (Win) / Return (Mac) to accept it:

How to reside the image in the frame in Photoshop CC 2019

Resizing the prototype inside the frame with Free Transform.

How to resize the frame

To resize the frame, non the contents, first click on the frame's outline to select it:

Selecting the frame with the Frame Tool in Photoshop CC 2019

Selecting the frame by clicking straight on its outline.

And then drag any of the handles to reshape and resize it. If you lot printing and hold your Shift central while dragging a corner handle, you lot'll lock in the frame'due south original attribute ratio:

How to resize the frame with the Frame Tool in Photoshop CC 2019

Resizing the frame by dragging the transform handles.

Once you've resized the frame, you can click and drag the image inside the frame to reposition it:

Dragging the image to reposition it inside the frame

Moving the prototype afterwards resizing the frame.

How to move the frame and the image together

To move both the frame and the image at the same time, double-click on the image to select them both:

Double-clicking to select the frame and the image at once in Photoshop CC 2019

Double-clicking to select the frame and the epitome.

And then click and drag to motion both of them together:

Moving the frame and its contents together with the Frame Tool in Photoshop CC 2019

Dragging the frame and its content at the same fourth dimension.

How to resize the frame and the image together

To resize both the frame and the prototype at once, again make sure both are selected. Go up to the Edit menu and choose Free Transform:

Selecting the Free Transform command in Photoshop CC 2019

Going dorsum to Edit > Complimentary Transform.

And and then drag the handles to resize the frame and its contents:

How to resize the frame and its contents in Photoshop CC 2019

Dragging the Free Transform handles to resize the frame and its contents.

You can too reposition the frame and its contents by clicking and dragging inside the Free Transform box. Here I've centered the frame and the epitome in the document. Press Enter (Win) / Render (Mac) when you're done to have information technology:

How to move the frame and its contents together in Photoshop CC 2019

Centering the frame and the image in the document with Gratuitous Transform.

Exist the showtime the know when new tutorials are added!

How to replace the frame's contents

A smashing characteristic of Photoshop's new Frame Tool is that nosotros tin hands swap out 1 image for another.

I'll press Ctr+Z (Win) / Command+Z (Mac) a few times to disengage my steps and render my frame to its original size and location:

The frame at its original size and location in the document

The frame at its original size and location in the document.

Method 1: Using the Place Embedded or Place Linked command

1 style to replace the current epitome with a dissimilar paradigm is to go upwardly to the File menu and choose Identify Embedded (or Identify Linked):

Choosing the Place Embedded command from the File menu in Photoshop

Going to File > Place Embedded.

Navigate to the new image on your figurer. And so select it and click Place:

Replacing the current frame content with new content using the Place Embedded command in Photoshop CC 2019

Selecting and placing the new image into the frame.

Method 2: Elevate and drib

Or, if you already accept the image open up in a File Explorer (Win) or Finder (Mac) window, you can drag and drib the new image onto the existing one:

Dragging and dropping the replacement image into the frame in Photoshop CC 2019

Dragging and dropping the replacement paradigm into the frame.

Method 3: From the Libraries panel

And yet another way to add or supersede the contents is by dragging an image from your Libraries panel onto the frame:

Dragging the replacement image from the Libraries panel onto the frame in Photoshop CC 2019

Dragging the replacement epitome from the Libraries panel onto the frame.

Photoshop instantly replaces the previous image with the new one. You tin can and so use Free Transform to resize the image inside the frame if needed (photograph from Adobe Stock):

Replacing the contents of a frame with a new image in Photoshop CC 2019

The Frame Tool makes it easy to replace one image with another. Photo credit: Adobe Stock.

How to add a stroke around the frame

Adjacent, let's look at how to add a stroke around the frame. Photoshop'south normal layer styles, found at the bottom of the Layers panel, won't work with frames. But we can add together a stroke. Yous'll find the Stroke choice in the Properties panel:

The Stroke option for the Frame Tool in the Properties panel in Photoshop CC 2019

The Stroke choice for the Frame Tool in the Properties panel.

Why can't I run across the Stroke option?

If you're non seeing the Stroke pick, make sure you have the frame itself selected in the Layers panel:

The Stroke option is only available when the frame is selected

The Stroke pick is only available when the frame is selected.

Choosing the stroke color, position and size

Click the swatch below the word "Stroke" to choose a colour. Then cull a position (Within, Heart or Outside) and size:

Setting the color, position and size for the stroke around the frame

Setting the stroke's color, position and size.

The stroke appears around the frame:

The frame with the stroke added around it in Photoshop CC 2019

The frame with the stroke added.

How to remove the stroke from around the frame

To remove the stroke, click again on the color swatch below the give-and-take "Stroke" and choose No color (the swatch with the reddish line through it):

How to remove the stroke around the frame in Photoshop CC 2019

Removing the stroke by clicking the "No colour" swatch.

How to add together a frame around an existing image

Finally, let'due south look at i more way to use the Frame Tool, and that's by adding a frame to an existing paradigm. We'll as well look at how to remove a frame from an epitome. I'll switch over to another prototype I've opened in Photoshop:

An image open in a separate document in Photoshop CC 2019

An epitome open in a separate document. Photo credit: Adobe Stock.

And if we wait in the Layers console, we see the prototype on a layer above the Background layer. Notation that we tin can't add a frame to the Background layer. So for this to piece of work, you'll need your image to be on a separate layer to a higher place it:

The Layers panel showing the image on its own layer above the Background layer.

Frames tin't be added to images on the Background layer.

How to place the epitome into a rectangular frame

With the layer selected, and the Frame Tool selected in the Toolbar, click and drag out a frame within the image:

Dragging a frame inside the image with the Frame Tool in Photoshop CC 2019

Drawing a frame inside the image.

When you lot release your mouse button, Photoshop adds the frame and places the image inside information technology:

How to place a frame around an existing image in Photoshop CC 2019

The epitome now sits inside the frame.

And in the Layers panel, we encounter that Photoshop converted the image into a smart object, just like it did before:

The Layers panel showing the image inside the frame and converted to a smart object

The image, converted to a smart object, on the Frame layer.

How to remove a frame from an image

I've added a rectangular frame to the epitome. But what if I meant to add an elliptical frame instead? In that case, I tin can remove the existing frame by right-clicking (Win) / Command-clicking (Mac) on the Frame layer in the Layers console:

Right-clicking (Win) / Control-clicking (Mac) on the Frame layer in the Layers panel

Right-click (Win) / Command-click (Mac) on the Frame layer.

And so choosing Remove Frame from Layer:

How to remove a frame from a layer in Photoshop CC 2019

Choosing "Remove Frame from Layer" from the menu.

This removes the frame merely keeps the epitome:

The image after removing the frame in Photoshop CC 2019

The frame is gone but the prototype remains.

Placing the image into an elliptical frame

I'll switch from a rectangular frame to an elliptical frame in the Options Bar:

How to choose an elliptical frame shape for the Frame Tool in Photoshop CC 2019

Selecting the Elliptical frame shape.

And then I'll click and drag out an elliptical frame inside the image. To force the frame into a perfect circle, I'll press and agree my Shift key as I drag. At get-go, it looks similar I'grand cartoon a foursquare frame:

Drawing a circle frame inside the image with the Frame Tool

Holding Shift while dragging to force the frame into a circumvolve.

Only when I release my mouse button, the circle frame appears with the image inside it:

How to add an image into a circle frame with the Frame Tool in Photoshop CC 2019

The image has been placed into the circumvolve frame.

Related tutorial: How to crop images into circles!

And there we have it! That'south the nuts of how to use the new Frame Tool in Photoshop CC 2019! Cheque out our Photoshop Basics section for more tutorials!