Not only is it possible to create a beautifully framed photograph in a single prim, it's easy to do. This article shows how to mat and frame a photo (or any other 2D artwork) using a simple Photoshop technique.

The method described ahead is based on two key elements:

1. We will use canvas size to build the mat and frame.
2. We will employ accents that will provide a 3D effect to give the illusion of depth.

By the end of this article, you will have matted and framed your artwork and applied it to a prim. A basic understanding of Photoshop and SL building is assumed, but I will be as clear as possible for those of you who are new to either. Note that I'm using Photoshop CS (version 8.0). Let's get started.

Start Photoshop, and open your photo. (If you don't have your own, you may use the example image below.)

This article uses specific dimensions, beginning with a 384 x 512 pixel, 72dpi jpeg. If your image is a different size or aspect ratio, resize/crop to 384 x 512. (512 x 384 is fine too; just remember to flip the x and y specifications below.) Once you finish the article, you can adapt the technique to other sizes and aspect ratios.

This article also uses a specific ratio of image size, mat, and frame. Again, later you can do your own thing.

Make any adjustments to the image you want now before we frame. (eg. levels, contrast, saturation, etc)

We will expand the canvas four times. Let's make the first expansion now. This first one will create an accent that will create a 3d effect between the pic and the mat.

1. Image > Canvas Size...

   

2. Set the popups to pixels.
3. Set Width to 388. That's an increase of 4, meaning 2 pixels wider on both sides.
4. Set Height to 516. Increase of 4, meaning 2 pixels higher on top and bottom.
5. Anchor center.
6. Canvas extension color: Gray.
7. Click OK. Your image now looks like this:

   

Time to add the mat -- the frame within a frame. Let's make it white and big enough to add pleasing space between the pic and frame.

1. Image > Canvas Size...
2. Set the popups to pixels.
3. Set Width to 588. That's an increase of 200, meaning 100 pixels wider on both sides.
4. Set Height to 716. Increase of 200, meaning 100 pixels higher on top and bottom.
5. Anchor center.
6. Canvas extension color: White.
7. Click OK. Your image now looks like this:

   

Now let's ad another accent to create a 3d effect between mat and frame.

1. Image > Canvas Size...
2. Set the popups to pixels.
3. Set Width to 596. That's an increase of 8, meaning 4 pixels wider on both sides.
4. Set Height to 724. Increase of 8, meaning 4 pixels higher on top and bottom.
5. Anchor center.
6. Canvas extension color: Gray.
7. Click OK. Your image now looks like this:

   

Time for the frame itself. Let's make a nice elegant black frame. As you'll see: this is where the full framed and matted illusion comes to fruition.

1. Image > Canvas Size...
2. Set the popups to pixels.
3. Set Width to 696. That's an increase of 100, meaning 50 pixels wider on both sides.
4. Set Height to 824. Increase of 100, meaning 50 pixels higher on top and bottom.
5. Anchor center.
6. Canvas extension color: Black.
7. Click OK. Your image now looks like this:

   

Save the image as foo.psd.

If you've added layers during editing, flatten your image now.

Now, save the image as foo.jpeg.

Start Second Life and upload your image. (It will cost $L10.)

Create a cube prim. Set the dimensions to: x 3.234 y .01 z 4. (For landscape set to: x 4.00 y .01 z 3.234.) (If that's too big, reduce proportionately.)

Now drag the picture to the face of your prim, et voila! As an optional step, you may apply the pic to the flipside of the prim too so that people won't have to rotate it in cases where it's 180 degress off. Also, you may want to make the thin edges of the prim black to eliminate an annoying optical effect when the viewer is at a "bad angle" relative to the prim.

That's it! Easy, eh? If you have questions, feel free to IM me.

-- Bieneff Bruder

[revised: Mon Sep 18 17:48:06 PDT 2006]