Simple Frame by Michelle © 2004

This is what we'll be making.

If you would like to download this tutorial in .imf version for Incredimail just click on the orange Envelope

I have not used any screen shots as the effects are all very basic.

You will need:

An Image

 A Gold Gradient (or a gradient of your choosing)

 Simple Filters

 Frame

 Find a graphic you want to use and resize it so it's no longer than 350 in height.

Copy and paste as a new image twice and close the original to use again at a later date

Add a border 2 pixels Symmetric white. Select it and flood fill with your gradient

Invert it and go to Effects/3D Effects/Cutout and use the following settings:

Verical & Horizontal  0

Opacity 100

Blur 35

Add a border 2 pixels in a colour from the graphic

Add a border 2 pixels Symmetric white. Select it and flood fill with your gradient

Add aBorder 25 pixels Symmetric Colour

Select it and go to Effects/Simple and select Simple Filter Half Wrap

Add an Inner Bevel with the following settings:

Bevel 2 (Pie)

Width 15

Smoothness 40

Depth 4

Ambience 0

Shininess 10

Colour White

Angle 315

Intensity 71

Elevation 20

Add a border 2 pixels Symmetric white. Select it and flood filled with your gradient

Add a border 2 pixels in a colour from the graphic

Add a border 2 pixels Symmetric white. Select it and flood filled with your gradient

Add a border 40 pixels symmetric colour

Select it and go to Effects/Simple Filter/Top Bottom Wrap and then go to Effects/Simple Filter/ Simple Filter/Left Right Wrap

Add a border 2 pixels Symmetric white. Select go to Effects/3D Effects/Cutout and use the following Settings:

Verical & Horizontal  0

Opacity 100

Blur 35

Add a border 2 pixels in a colour from the graphic

Add a border 2 pixels Symmetric white. Select it and flood fill with your gradient

Added your Watermark if you wish.

Resize Height to no more than 490 Pixels

Export as Jpeg

Side Bar

Using your Selection Tool set to rectangle

Select from top left corner down all the way to the bottom left corner and across to the right to encompass first border and copy and paste as a new image

Go to Effects/Simple/Top Left Mirror

Export as Jpeg

Background

Using the second copy of your original image, select 150 x 150 piece and go to Effects/Image Effects/Seamless Tiling and use the default settings.

Add a layer and flood fill with the colour you've been using in your frame. Reduce the opacity to around 70% or whatever looks good to you. Make sure you can read your text on it and merge all.

Redo Effects/Image Effects/Seamless Tiling and use the default settings Export the tile as a Jpeg.

It's all ready to put together in Letter Creator

Thank you for trying my tutorial. I hope you enjoyed it.