matt bray wrote:
> Hi
>
> Can anyone tell me if there is an easy way to add a simple black
> border (/frame) to a whole folder of images in one move. Either
> through actions (which I have not used before) or some kind of
> plugin?
>
> Many thanks...
> --
> Matt
> http://www.pbase.com/mattbray

Matt:

A purchased plugin would probably be overkill for a simple black border IMO. Popular ones are Photographic Edges by AutoFX (http://www.AutoFX.com) and PhotoFrame from Extensis (http://www.Extensis.com).

There are a couple ways to do this in Photoshop. This is one. Assumption: You are not changing file format in the process, for example, you're taking a folder to .jpg files, adding a border, and ending up with .jpg files. If you're converting (say) .psd to .jpg, there are other steps that need to be added.

Practice before creating action:
* Be sure the Tools palette is visible (Window > Tools)
* Open a representative image to which you want to apply a border
* Press D key to set colors to foreground = black/background = white
* Select > All
* Edit > Stroke
- Width: You're going to have to experiment. This will depend on image
dimensions and resolution. Try 5 for openers and go from there.
- Inside
- Normal
- 100%

* Ctrl + Z to undo a not good attempt. Tweak Width value until you like
what you see.
* When you're happy with stroke width, File > Close (w/o saving) test image

Create action
* Open test image again
* If the Actions palette is not visible, Window > Actions to show it
* From the Actions palette menu (arrow/top right), chose New Set
- Name: "Borders"
* From the palette menu (arrow/top right) again, chose New Action
- Name: Something like "Black border 10 px" (or whatever you like)
- Click Record button (this engages "record mode" = subsequent
commands will be added to your action)

Repeat the steps above:
* Press D key to set colors to foreground = black/background = white
* Select > All
* Edit > Stroke

* At the bottom of the Actions palette are several controls (icons). Click
the SQUARE one. This terminates (STOPS) recording. Way to go! You've
created an action. :-)
* File > Close (w/o saving) test image

Test action
* Open test image again
* Click the Triangle (PLAY) control at the bottom of the Actions Palette
* "Ta-da" - stroke applied! Congrats again.
* File > Close (w/o saving) test image

Preparation for mass application
* If you haven't yet, create a new folder to receive the about to be
framed pics. For this illustration, name it \Destination

Apply the action to your pics
* File > Automate > Batch
* Play (Set and action should be populated with "Borders" and [whatever
you named your action])
* Source: Folder. Choose (Browse to the source folder)
* Destination: Folder. Choose (Browse to \Destination)
* File Naming: Should be prepopulated with "Document name"
and "Extension". This is fine. Don't change these.

Don't worry about the settings below this for the time being.

* Click OK... and away you should go.

Hope this gets you moving. Contact me via my profile if you get stuck or have questions.

~Danny~