Trying to find out effecient way to play around with different matting and framing

[tkamiya]

I'm not sure which category this question belongs, or if it even belongs on APUG. But my intent is to frame my print made from film properly.

I cut my own mat and have frames made to my specification. I have my usual standard but some image requires different matting and framing to look "just right". What I typically do is to use some of my scrap material and do a test fit and play around to see what looks the best. I also have those L shaped mat to do this manually.

Are there any software available to do this on a computer? Say I scan my image (made from film, of course), then apply a mat over it and virtually cut it to my specification. Then put a frame around it virtually. So I can basically put everything together virtually before I make the first cut. I'd like to be able to vary all dimensions and color. Sometimes, try it in 100 different ways is the only way to find out what I like. There were cases I make everything, only to find out, 2 days later, I really don't like it.

Anyone?

 

[MartinP]

Any photo editing software or illustration software will allow you to drop the picture on top of a background. Think of the background, or backgrounds if you want double-matting, as the matt - it sounds the opposite to how you use a matt but appears equivalent on screen.

Assuming that you have no software to do this already, then download the open-source Gnu Image Manipulation Program and use that.

 

[pdeeh]

most commonly known as gimp - http://www.gimp.org/

 

[gzinsel]

I would think you (actually me) would want to use real objects with real images. So, . . . for example, a person would cut an o.d. mat, with "your trusted" mat width- creating a boarder. NOW, cut that mat Diagonally. Now, you have to 2 pieces to move in random to create your exact dimensions. Voula!!!! Don't fart around on the computer. it s a toy for Little boys and girls. like photoshop! use the real, will you!!! c'mon----its apug.

 

[MartinP]

most commonly known as gimp - http://www.gimp.org/

Exactly, I didn't want to make it too easy